Brent Spiner

Spiner c. 2014, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Brent Jay Mintz

Place of Birth: Houston, Harris, Texas, United States

Date of Birth: February 2, 1949

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Brent Spiner is an American actor, comedian, and singer. He is known for his role as Data on the show Star Trek: The Next Generation, and in subsequent franchise entries.

Brent is the son of Sylvia and Jack Spiner, who owned a furniture store. After his father’s death, his mother remarried to Sol Mintz; he was renamed Brent Jay Mintz for a time. He is married to Loree McBride, and has a son.

Brent’s paternal grandfather was named David Spiner (the son of Yehoshea Spiner). David was a Jewish emigrant, from Rymanów, krośnieński, Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland.

Brent’s paternal grandmother was named Minnie/Mini Lena/Lina/Leah Goldmilzc/Goldmintz (the daughter of Yehuda Goldmintz). Lena was a Jewish emigrant, from Košice, Košice Region, Slovakia.

Brent’s maternal grandfather was Samuel “Sam” Schwartz (the son of Abraham/Avraham Obie/Abbe/Abba Schwartz/Schwarz and Faygel Rohal “Fannie” Cohen). Samuel was a Russian Jewish emigrant, born in Iŭje, Iwye District, Hrodna Region, Belarus.

Brent’s maternal grandmother was Eva Reba/Reva Lensky (the daughter of Benjamin Lensky and Sarah Kocherovsky). Eva was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Benjamin was the son of Elya Lensky and Mazie. Sarah was the daughter of Gersh Kocherovskij and Sivia.

Sources: Genealogy of Brent Spiner – https://www.geni.com

Brent’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org