Derek Mears

Mears in 2013, photo by Joe Seer/bigstock.com

Birth Name: Derek Everrett Mears

Place of Birth: Bakersfield, Kern, California, United States

Date of Birth: April 29, 1972

Ethnicity: English, some Irish, German, Welsh

Derek Mears is an American actor and stuntperson. He played Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th (2009), and has also appeared, often as oversized/inhuman characters, in the films The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007), Predators, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, and Alita: Battle Angel, and on the series Swamp Thing (2019), in the title role.

Derek’s paternal grandfather was Everett Levi Mears (the son of Rufus A. Mears and Sarah Etta Luttrell). Everett was born in Missouri. Rufus was the son of John G. Mears and Margaret Tad Patrick. Sarah was the daughter of Joshua Luttrell and Hester Ann/Ada Tooley.

Derek’s paternal grandmother was Hazel Pauline Addison (the daughter of Francis T. Addison and Lydia/Lidia B. Goodman). Hazel was born in Arkansas. Lydia was the daughter of James Pleasanton/Pleasant Goodman and Missouri Alsup.

Derek’s maternal grandfather was Roy James Haven (the son of James Francis Haven and Roxie Verniccia Johnston). Roy was born in California. Derek’s great-grandfather James was the son of James Haven, who was Irish, and of Margaret. Roxie was the daughter of Harry Hughes Johnston and Annie Corinth Michael.

Derek’s maternal grandmother was Betty Jeanne Hayes (the daughter of Vincent Marion Hayes and Veva Myrtle Duffield). Betty was born in California. Vincent was the son of Joseph Marion Hayes and Theresa M. Haake. Veva was the daughter of Jesse Claude Duffield and Nettie Florence Bahn.

Source: Derek’s maternal grandfather, Roy James Haven, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org