Matt Besser

photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Matthew Gregory Besser

Place of Birth: Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 22, 1967

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – English, French, Irish, Welsh, remote Swedish

Matt Besser is an American actor, comedian, director, producer, and writer.

His grandfather’s cousin was actor, comedian, and musician Joe Besser, of The Three Stooges. He is married to actress, writer, and improvisational comedian Danielle Schneider, with whom he has a daughter.

Matt’s paternal grandfather was Herbert Besser (the son of Isadore Besser and Celia Ripp). Herbert was born in New York, to Polish Jewish parents. Isadore was the son of Lajzor/Eliezer Icek Besser and Ruchla/Rachel Rutkowska.

Matt’s paternal grandmother was Ida Rubenstein (the daughter of Mordechai “Max” Reib and Fannie Rubenstein). Mordechai and Fannie were Jewish emigrants, possibly from Ukraine. Mordechai was the son of Menachem Nachum Reib. Fannie was the daughter of Yehoshua Rubenstein.

Matt’s maternal grandfather was William Franklin “Frank” Pettit (the son of Walter Spruce Pettit and Vena Belle Spear). William was born in Arkansas. Walter was the son of William Henry Pettit and Sallie F. Spruce. Vena was the daughter of William Roger Speer and Ellen Harriet Roark.

Matt’s maternal grandmother was Maxine Center (the daughter of James Alexander “Jim” Center and Minnie Alice Mae “Ava Mae” Curtis). Maxine was born in Arkansas. James was the son of William Massey Center and Elizabeth Caroline Fisher. Minnie was the daughter of John B. Curtis and Paralee Oregon Callen.

Source: Genealogy of Matt Besser (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Genealogies of Matt’s maternal grandparents, William Franklin “Frank” Pettit and Maxine (Center) Pettit – http://findagrave.com