Paula Patton
Patton in 2011, photo by s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Paula Maxine Patton
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: December 5, 1975
Ethnicity:
*father – African-American
*mother – German, English, smaller amount of Dutch
Paula Patton is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the films Hitch, Idlewild, Déjà Vu (2006), Jumping the Broom, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, 2 Guns, Warcraft, and Sacrifice (2019).
Her father, Charles Patton, is black. Her mother, Joyce (Van Raden), who is white, has German, English, and at least 1/16th Dutch, ancestry. Paula has identified herself as Black. She has stated:
I find it [the term “biracial”] offensive. It’s a way for people to separate themselves from African-Americans… a way of saying ‘I’m better than that.’ I’m black because that’s the way the world sees me. People aren’t calling Barack Obama biracial. Most people think there’s a black president.
Paula has a son with her former husband, singer and songwriter Robin Thicke.
Paula’s maternal grandfather was Benjamin Alexander Van Raden, Jr. (the son of Benjamin Van Raden and Grace Read Alexander). Paula’s grandfather Benjamin was born in New York. Paula’s great-grandfather Benjamin was born in Nebraska, the son of Carl Edward Holeman Van Raden, whose father was Dutch and whose mother was German, and of Louisa Bergman, whose parents were German. Paula’s great-grandmother Grace was born in New York, and had English ancestry. Grace was the daughter of Robert Read Alexander and Laura Davis, who were from Massachusetts.
Sources: Genealogy of Paula’s maternal grandfather, Benjamin Alexander Van Raden, Jr. – https://www.wikitree.com
Obituary of Paula’s maternal grandfather, Benjamin Alexander Van Raden, Jr. – http://www.legacy.com
Marriage record of Paula’s maternal great-grandparents, Benjamin Van Raden and Grace Read Alexander – https://familysearch.org
Paula’s maternal great-grandfather, Benjamin Van Raden, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Paula’s maternal great-grandmother, Grace Read Alexander, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Paula’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Carl Edward Holeman Van Raden and Louisa Bergman, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Why are u people sooooo stupid!!! Let me ask all of u white and so called mixed people that don’t claim the black side. Do u see any white stars claiming any african back ground at all not even 20% if yall can tell me other wise then ill shut the fuck up. Let me tell u something so called mixed people this america all black americans in america are just as mixed as u even more. My father is half white he’s last name is deware.I look mixed but at the and of the day people still see u as a negro. so its her life if she feels more african american and can understand the everyday bullshit that black people have to put up with. That’s her business if u so called mixed race people don’t like your self and your white mother didn’t set u down and tell u about who u are even if your mixed which my parents did then I really feel sorry for u. If mimi carey feels more white then black that’s her business too its not how people look its how people look at them.
Great link Erica thanks.
It is in Women’s Health magazine, Paula says she’s biracial here’s the link http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/paula-patton
Kamari is absolutely right! If a celebrity black male dates a white women, then every sister in America will complain about “brothers ignoring sisters when they become famouse”. But a black female celebrity can marry a white boy, and those same sisters don’t complain. It’s almost like they embrace seeing another sister get with a white boy. The double standard is sickening!
I think they look beautiful together and they r a beautiful couple. I feel like when u find true love it doesnt matter if ur black or white asian or spanish!!! love doesnt have any prefrence its just a beautiful thing 2 b in love with some one it shouldnt matter what ethnicity background u come from!!!!!