Michael Emerson

Emerson in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com

Place of Birth: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 7, 1954

Ethnicity:
*father – German, English, Irish
*mother – Danish, Czech, some Swedish

Michael Emerson is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles on the series Lost, The Practice, Arrow, and Person of Interest, and in the film Saw, among many other projects.

Michael is the son of Carol and Ronald Emerson. He was raised in Toledo, Iowa. He is married to actress, producer, and director Carrie Preston.

Michael’s paternal grandfather was Earl Roscoe Emerson (the son of Berton Roscoe “Bert” Emerson and Grace K. Mathern). Earl was born in Iowa. Berton was the son of Lyman Emerson and Olive Freet. Grace was born in Iowa, to parents from Germany, Joseph Mathern and Gustie Brecht.

Michael’s paternal grandmother was Ora LaRue Bear (the son of Frank E. Bear and Minnie Pearl Sperry). Ora was born in Iowa. Frank was the son of Daniel Bear and Barbara Alice Karstetter. Minnie was the daughter of Edwin L. Sperry and Marilla Rundel.

Michael’s maternal grandfather was named Holger Carl Christian Hansen (the son of Carl Christian Hansen and Anna A. J.). Holger was born in Iowa, to Danish parents. Michael’s great-grandfather Carl was the son of Anders Hansson/Hansen, who was born in Sweden, and of Maren Kristine Johansen.

Michael’s maternal grandmother was Sophia/Sophie Katherine Kuncl (the daughter of Vaclar/Vaclav Kuncl and Marie Čapek). Sophia was born in Iowa, to Czech parents.

Sources: Genealogy of Michael Emerson – https://www.geni.com

Obituary of Michael’s father – http://www.penwellgabelolathe.com

Michael’s paternal grandfather, Earl Roscoe Emerson, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Michael’s paternal great-grandfather, Berton Roscoe “Bert” Emerson – http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Obituary of Michael’s maternal aunt – http://www.murdochfuneralhome.com

Michael’s maternal grandparents, Holger Carl Christian Hansen and Sophia/Sophie Katherine Kuncl, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Information about Michael’s maternal great-grandparents, Vaclar/Vaclav Kuncl and Marie Čapek – https://newspaperarchive.com