Bryce Dallas Howard

Howard in 2011, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: March 2, 1981

Ethnicity: German, English, Scottish, Irish, remote French and Dutch

Bryce Dallas Howard is an American actress, director, producer, model, and writer.

She is the daughter of actor, director, and producer Ron Howard (Ronald William Howard) and writer Cheryl Howard Crew (née Alley), the niece of actor Clint Howard, and the sister of actress Paige Howard. Bryce is married to actor Seth Gabel, with whom she has two children.

Bryce’s paternal grandfather was Rance Howard (born Harold Rance Beckenholdt, the son of Engel/Engle E. Beckenholdt and Ethel Cleo Tomlin). Rance was born in Oklahoma, and changed his surname to Howard when he became an actor. Engel was the son of J. Heinrich/Henry Beckenholdt and Caroline Engelking, who were of German descent. Ethel was the daughter of Ralph Jedediah Tomlin and Carrie Melissa Freeman.

Bryce’s paternal grandmother was Jean Frances Speegle (the daughter of William Allen Speegle and Louise Dewey). Jean was born in Oklahoma, and was also an actress. William was the son of William T. Speegle and Lela Allen. Louise was the daughter of Edward Chancy Dewey and Sallie Ballard Johnston.

Bryce’s maternal grandfather was Charles Enos Alley, Jr. (the son of Charles Enos Alley and Maude Crew). Bryce’s grandfather Charles was born in Mississippi. Bryce’s great-grandfather Charles was born in Iowa, the son of Canadian parents, Jeremiah Alley and Catherine B. Gifford, from Ontario. Maude was the daughter of Robert H. Crew and Elizabeth Ann Gilcrease.

Bryce’s maternal grandmother was Vivian Joyce Schmid (the daughter of Lester Simmons Schmid and Lillian Bertha Schulz). Vivian was born in Wisconsin, and was of German or mostly German descent. Lester was the son of Fredrick Wilhelm Schmid and Avis Mary Simmons. Lillian was the daughter of Heinrich August “Henry” Schulz and Clara H. Haelfrisch. Heinrich was born in Rio Grande do Sul, Empire of Brazil, of German descent.

Bryce’s matrilineal line can be traced to Henrietta Louise Pautz, who was born, c. 1833, in Germany.

Sources: Genealogy of Bryce Dallas Howard – https://www.geni.com

Genealogies and obituaries of Bryce’s paternal grandparents, Rance Howard and Jean Frances (Speegle) Howard – https://www.findagrave.com

Obituary of Bryce’s paternal grandfather, Rance Howard – http://www.legacy.com

Bryce’s maternal grandfather, Charles Enos Alley, Jr., on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org