Joss Whedon

Whedon in 2008, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Joseph Hill Whedon

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: June 23, 1964

Ethnicity: English, some Scottish

Joss Whedon is an American writer, director, producer, composer, actor, and comic book writer. He has directed the films Serenity (2005), The Avengers and Much Ado About Nothing (both 2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron, and, though he was uncredited, parts of Justice League (the 2017 version), all of which he wrote or co-wrote. He created the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Dollhouse, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Nevers. He also wrote the films Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Alien Resurrection, and In Your Eyes, and co-wrote the films Toy Story, Titan A.E., and The Cabin in the Woods. He founded Mutant Enemy Productions and co-founded Bellwether Pictures. Among his works as a comic book writer is Astonishing X-Men.

He is the son of Ann Lee (Jeffries) Stearns, a teacher and activist, and Tom Whedon (Thomas Avery Whedon), a television writer and producer, and the grandson of television writer John Whedon. He is the brother of screenwriter and musician Jed Whedon and filmmaker and comic book artist Zack Whedon. Joss is married to Canadian artist Heather Horton. He has two children with his former wife, architect and producer Kai Cole. His brother Zack is married to playwright and actress Eliza Clark, the sister of actor Spencer Treat Clark.

Joss’s paternal grandfather was John Ogden Whedon (the son of Burt Denison Whedon and Marian/Miriam Jameson Steele). John was born in New York. Burt was the son of Charles Ogden Whedon and Ellen Frances Denison. Marian was the daughter of John Whedon Steele and Ella Frances Clark.

Joss’s paternal grandmother was Louise Carroll Angell (the daughter of Ralph Carroll Angell and Edna Louise White). Joss’s grandmother Louise was born in Washington.

Joss’s maternal grandfather was James Harvey Jeffries (the son of James Harvey Jeffries and Anna G. Huguely). Joss’s grandfather James was born in Kentucky. Joss’s great-grandfather James was the son of James Harvey Jeffries and Mary Ramsey. Anna was the daughter of Squire Level Hugueley and Sarah Frances Gillian.

Joss’s maternal grandmother was Anna Lee Hill (the daughter of Chester A./E. Hill and Nora Selby Lee). Anna was born in Kentucky. Nora was the daughter of Orleans Lee and Nora Selby.

Sources: Genealogy of Joss Whedon (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Joss’s paternal grandfather, John Ogden Whedon, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Joss’s paternal grandmother, Louise Carroll Angell, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Louise Carroll Angell on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Joss’s maternal grandfather, James Harvey Jeffries, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Joss’s maternal grandmother, Anna Lee Hill, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org