Jon Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi in 2009, Dylan Armajani / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.
Place of Birth: Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Birth: March 2, 1962
Ethnicity:
*25% Italian-Sicilian
*25% Slovak
*25% Polish
*25% Swiss-German
Jon Bon Jovi is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, and actor. He is a member of the rock band Bon Jovi. The band’s other members include/have included David Bryan, Richie Sambora, and Tico Torres. His acting roles include the films Moonlight and Valentino, The Leading Man, Little City, No Looking Back, Homegrown, U-571, Pay It Forward, Vampires: Los Muertos, and Cry_Wolf, and the series Ally McBeal.
Jon was born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr. in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Carol (Sharkey), a florist, and John Francis Bongiovi, a barber. He is a cousin of record producer Tony Bongiovi and actor Robert Hegyes. Jon is married to Dorothea Hurley, with whom he has four children, including actor Jake Bongiovi.
Jon’s father’s ancestry is half Italian-Sicilian and half Slovak. Jon’s mother’s ancestry is half Polish and half Swiss-German. Jon has sometimes been said to have Russian ancestry. This is not accurate.
Jon was evidently described by Spin magazine as a relative of singer and actor Frank Sinatra. It is not clear, if accurate, what form this relation may take.
Jon’s paternal grandfather was Louis Bongiovi (the son of Giuseppe/Joseph Bongiovi and Lucia/Louise Arcuri). Louis was born in Pennsylvania, to Italian parents. Giuseppe was born in Cianciana, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, the son of Louis Bongiovi and Annie. Lucia was born in Cattolica Eraclea, also in Agrigento, the daughter of Emanuele Arcuri and Patti Anna.
Jon’s paternal grandmother was named Elizabeth M. Benkovsky (the daughter of Jan Benkovsky and Maria). Jon’s grandmother Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania, to Slovak parents.
Jon’s maternal grandfather was Michael Raymond Sharkey (the son of Paul Sharkey and Anna Reherkowitz/Rehercowicz/Regarkewicz/Rehurciewicz/Regarkevitch). Michael was born in New York, and raised in Pennsylvania. His parents were ethnic Polish immigrants (listed as being from Poland, Russia, or Lithuania, depending on the census). Michael’s surname was also spelled as Shirky. Paul was the son of Charley Sharkey and Sophia.
Jon’s maternal grandmother was Martha Wilhelmina Ludwig (the daughter of Max Ludwig and Helen Evelyn Sohler). Martha was born in New York, and was also raised in Pennsylvania. Max was born in Switzerland, of Swiss-German descent, the son of Otto Ludwig and Sussette Schulthess. Helen was born in New York, and was also of Swiss-German descent; Helen’s father, John Sohler, was born in Switzerland, and Helen’s mother, Sophia Richter, was born in New York.
Sources: Genealogy of Jon Bon Jovi – https://www.geni.com
Jon’s paternal grandfather, Louis Bongiovi, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Jon’s maternal grandfather, Michael Raymond Sharkey, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Jon’s maternal grandmother, Martha Wilhelmina Ludwig, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Sicilians are Italians.Sicily is part of Italy.I am 3rd generation American born and raised. My ancestors came from. My heritage is Sicilian,Calabrese,Neopolitan.Sicily may not be connected to Italy but they are still part of it.Sicily is not a country.Also,the myth that is so stereotype where all Sicilians are dark skin or have olive looking complexions is false and racist.My great grandmother was born in Sicily.She had extremely light natural blonde hair and green eyes. Not all Sicilians are dark skinned.Sicilians are Italians,speak Italian,food culture is Italian.I consider myself American-Italian.My heritage is 100 percent Italian and damn proud of it,and Sicilian is part of that.To the ignorant people out there.Since Sicily is not a country then what is it?Know your history before you speak.Sicily is part of Italy.Oh yeah, even though I love my American food,Italian food is of course just as great.I know so many non-Italians that love Italian food,they can’t get enough of it.
you seem a little to proud, italians rule thr tri state area that is it.
everybody loves italian, us irish people give half of our paychecks to you every friday and saturday night when we go out to eat, nobody hates sicilians and sicilians should not hate anybody also. you got the usa eating out of your hand. the state i live in most people are half or whole italian.
Sharkey IS an Irish last name.
stephanie is right Sicilian is not Italian and will never be Italian
RESPECT THE SICILIANS
Italians and Sicilians are not the same.. if his father was born in Sicily, he is sicilian and it is a completely different culture and the island is not even connected to Italy
actually Sicily is part of Italy, Sicilians are Italians too.
Sicily is part of Italy, but its only geographic and governed by. They have their own language, culture and pride. And as far as I know Jon Bon Jovi still has family living in Sciacca, Sicily on his fathers side. And the blonde, green eyes come from the Albanese quarter in Palermo. In other words they are immigrants to Sicily as are many others as Sicily was on the mediterraen trade route for many centuries and has also been invaded by many different cultures too, all are reflected in their architecture and food. It is also a beautiful country in its own right and the Sicilians should be proud to say, I am sicilian when asked.
Jon is Italian and Polish. His Mom’s last name is Sharkey.