Brian Grazer

Grazer in 2007, photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Brian Thomas Grazer

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: July 12, 1951

Ethnicity:
*father – German, Irish, possibly English
*mother – Ashkenazi Jewish

Brian Grazer is an American film and television producer.

Brian was born in Los Angeles, the son of Arlyne/Arlene and Albert Thomas “Tom” Grazer, an attorney. He is the brother of filmmaker, actor, and musician Gavin Grazer. He was raised in Sherman Oaks and Northridge, California. His nephew, Gavin’s son, is actor Jack Dylan Grazer. Brian is married to marketing officer Veronica Smiley. He has two children with his former wife Corki Corman, and two children with his former wife, novelist and screenwriter Gigi Levangie.

His father was born in California, and was raised Catholic. Brian’s mother was Jewish, and originally from New York.

His uncle, by marriage, was director Bernard L. Kowalski, who was married to his father’s sister.

Brian and his siblings were baptized Catholic, and also raised around both Catholicism and Judaism.

Brian’s paternal grandfather was named Albert Vincent Grazer. Albert was born in Illinois, to German parents.

Brian’s paternal grandmother was Helen/Helene Frances O’Grady/Grady (the daughter of Thomas F. Grady and Hanorah/Elenora/Nora Partridge). Helen was born in Illinois. Thomas was the son of Irish parents, Patrick Grady and Mary Anne Hayes. Hanorah was the daughter of Joseph Partridge, who was born in England, and of Helen Regan, who was Irish.

Brian’s maternal grandfather was named Jack Becker (the son of Ele Becker and Fannie). Jack was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Brian’s maternal grandmother was Sonia/Sonya F. Neisloss (the daughter of Barnet/Barnett/Berka Beryl Dov Neisloss and Khaya-Dveira/Ida Zimerman/Tzinman). Sonia was born in New York, to Jewish parents from the Russian Empire. Barnet was born in Dvinsk, Daugavpils, Latvia, the son of Louis/Aria Leib Neisloss/Neischloss and Julia Yudasher. Khaya-Dveira was the daughter of Faivish Tzinman.

Sources: http://dyslexia.yale.edu
https://issuu.com

Genealogy of Brian Grazer – https://www.geni.com

Marriage record of Brian’s parents – https://familysearch.org

Brian’s paternal grandmother, Helen/Helene Frances O’Grady/Grady, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Brian’s paternal great-great-grandmother, Helen (Regan) Partridge – https://www.familysearch.org

Brian’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Brian’s mother – http://www.legacy.com