Destin Daniel Cretton

Place of Birth: Haiku, Hawaii, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 23, 1978

Ethnicity:
*father – Irish, Slovak
*mother – Japanese

Destin Daniel Cretton is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and editor. He has directed the films I Am Not a Hipster, Short Term 12, both of which he wrote; The Glass Castle, Just Mercy, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, all of which he co-wrote. He also co-wrote the film The Shack (2017). He has directed episodes of the show American Born Chinese.

Destin is the son of Janice and Daniel Cretton. His sister, Joy, is a costume designer. He moved to San Diego, California, when he was nineteen. He is married to fashion designer Nicola “Nikki” Chapman, with whom he has two children.

Destin’s paternal grandfather was Orville Joseph Cretton (the son of Petro J. Cretton and Lillian M. Farrell). Orville was born in Indiana. Lillian was born in Wisconsin, to Canadian parents.

Destin’s paternal grandmother was Viola Lehocky (the daughter of Paul Lehocky and Karolina Gbelec). Viola was born in Indiana, to ethnic Slovak parents. Karolina was born in Czechoslovakia, the daughter of Paul Gbelec and Ann Roman.

Destin’s maternal grandfather was Richard Tatsuyuki Tajiri (the son of Minokichi Tajiri and Moto Adachi). Richard was born in Hawaii, to Japanese parents. Minokichi was the son of Shinzaburo Tajiri and Juka Tajiri. Moto was the daughter of Tokuhei Adachi and Eju Adachi.

Destin’s maternal grandmother is Helen Hisako Nagamine (the daughter of Ushi Nagamine and Ume Senaga). Helen was born in Hawaii, to Japanese parents, from Okinawa.

Sources: Destin’s paternal grandfather, Orville Joseph Cretton, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Destin’s paternal grandmother, Viola (Lehocky) Cretton – https://www.chattanoogan.com

Obituary of Destin’s paternal great-grandmother, Karolina (Gbele) Lehocky – https://www.nwitimes.com