Dean Cain

Cain in 2011, Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Dean George Tanaka

Place of Birth: Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 31, 1966

Ethnicity: Japanese (37.5%), with English, French-Canadian, Irish, Welsh

Dean Cain is an American actor, producer, writer, director, and television show host. He starred as Superman on the T.V series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Dean is the son of Roger Hugh Tanaka and actress Sharon Thomas. He was adopted by his stepfather, director Christopher Cain (born Bruce C. Doggett).

He has said, “I’m mostly Welsh, and then one-quarter Japanese, Irish and French Canadian.” However, Dean’s father was of three quarters Japanese descent, making Dean of three eighths Japanese descent. He also has English ancestry.

Dean has a son with his former partner, Spanish-born model Samantha Torres.

Dean’s paternal grandfather was John Megumi Tanaka (the son of Echiro/Eiichiro Tanaka and Tsuki Baba). John was born in Washington, to Japanese parents.

Dean’s paternal grandmother was Grace E. Miyoko Sugiura (the daughter of Joseph Tadashi Sugiura and Eva/Evangeline May Frost). Grace was born in Washington. Joseph was born in Hamada, Shimane, Japan. Eva, who had English, Irish, and French-Canadian ancestry, was born in either Wisconsin or North Dakota, and was the daughter of Frank Leslie Frost and Ida Mae Forsythe, whose father was born in Cloughmills, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Dean’s maternal grandfather was named George Thomas.

Dean’s maternal grandmother was named Marion.

Sources: Dean’s paternal grandfather, John Megumi Tanaka, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Dean’s paternal grandmother, Grace E. Miyoko Sugiura, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Dean’s paternal great-grandparents, Joseph Tadashi Sugiura and Eva/Evangeline May Frost, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Dean’s paternal great-grandmother, Eva/Evangeline May Frost, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Eva/Evangeline May Frost on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org