Steven E. de Souza

de Souza in 2019, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 17, 1947

Ethnicity:
*father – Sephardi Jewish, likely some English
*mother – Ashkenazi Jewish

Steven E. de Souza is an American screenwriter, producer, and director. Known for his work in the action or action-comedy genre, he has written the films Commando, The Running Man, Ricochet, Beverly Hills Cop III, Knock Off, and Blast (2004), and co-written the films 48 Hrs., The Return of Captain Invincible, Bad Dreams (1988), Die Hard, Seven Hours to Judgment, Die Hard 2, Hudson Hawk, The Flintstones, and Judge Dredd (1995). He directed and wrote the film Street Fighter (1994) and an episode of Tales from the Crypt, co-created the show Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, and created the shows The Powers of Matthew Star and Unknown Sender. He has also been billed as Elliot Stephens.

Steven is the son of Evelyn and H. Walton Henriques de Souza, who owned a real estate company. His father was Jamaican, and was of mostly Sephardi Jewish ancestry, with recent ancestors born in Jamaica, Curaçao, Barbados, and England, who had deeper roots in Portugal and Spain. He also likely had some English ancestry. One of his paternal ancestors is said to have been Jewish pirate Moses Cohen Henriques. His mother was of Russian Jewish descent.

His brother is producer, editor, and actor Daniel de Souza. He is married to writer and producer Jeri Barchilon. Among his children is casting director Amy de Souza, and producer and writer David de Souza.

Steven’s paternal grandfather was Hedley/Headley Henriques de Souza (the son of Elisha Henriques de Souza and Hortensia Silveira/Silvera da Costa). Hedley was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Hortensia was born in Kingston, the daughter of Jacob Rodrigues da Costa and Selina Jane Roberts, who likely was of English descent.

Steven’s paternal grandmother was Edith Grace Alexander (the daughter of Uriah Montefiore Alexander and Amanda de Souza). Edith was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Uriah was born in Kingston, the son of Melmouth Joseph Alexander and Grace Lopes da Fonseca. Amanda was born in Jamaica, the daughter of Joseph Henriques de Souza and Rebecca Pereira.

Steven’s maternal grandfather likely was named Harry E. Green. Harry was born in Russia.

Steven’s maternal grandmother likely was named Pearl. Pearl was born in Russia.

Sources: Information on Steven’s paternal great-great-grandparents, Jacob Rodrigues da Costa and Selina Jane Roberts – http://myjamaicanfamily.blogspot.com