Josh Radnor

Radnor in 2012, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Joshua Thomas Radnor

Place of Birth: Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 29, 1974

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, approximately one quarter British Isles [Irish, possibly English]

Josh Radnor is an American actor, filmmaker, author, and musician. He has had leading roles on the series How I Met Your Mother, Mercy Street, Rise, Hunters, Centaurworld, and Fleishman Is in Trouble; in the films Afternoon Delight and Social Animals; and has starred in, written, and directed the films Happythankyoumoreplease and Liberal Arts.

Josh is the son of Carol, a high school guidance counselor, and Alan Radnor, a medical malpractice lawyer. Josh’s paternal grandfather, who had Irish and probably English ancestry, likely converted to Judaism; Josh’s grandfather’s stepfather was Jewish. Josh’s three other grandparents were of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

He grew up in Bexley, a Columbus suburb. Josh was raised in Conservative Judaism, and attended an Orthodox Jewish school. He is married to clinical psychologist Jordana J. Jacobs.

Josh’s paternal grandfather was Robert Clarence Radnor (born Clarence Rumbles, the son of Charles “Charlie” Rumbles and Mabel/Mable O’Donnell). Josh’s grandfather Robert was born in Ohio. Charles was the son of Benjamin Rumbles and Martha Thomas, and probably had English ancestry. Mabel was the daughter of John O’Donnell and Mary/Betty Ryan, Canadians of Irish descent. Josh’s grandfather Robert Radnor was likely adopted by his stepfather, George Radnor, and took on his surname; George was born in Liverpool, England, to Jewish parents, Max Radnor, from Russia, and Leah Fleeter, from Hungary.

Josh’s paternal grandmother was Rose Faye Chester (born Rose Chenchinsky, the daughter of David Chenchinsky and Toba/Toby Woslow). Rose was born in Ohio, to Polish Jewish parents.

Josh’s maternal grandfather was named Charles B. Hirsch.

Josh’s maternal grandmother was Rose Altschuler (the daughter of Hyman Weinberg and Bessie Dworkin). Hyman was the son of Mayer Altshuler and Chana Sklar or Fiedler.

Sources: https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com
https://www.nytimes.com

Genealogy of Josh Radnor – https://www.geni.com

Josh’s paternal grandfather, Robert Clarence Radnor, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Josh’s paternal grandmother, Rose Chenchinsky, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org