Will Peltz

Peltz in 2013, photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

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

Date of Birth: May 30, 1986

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – Italian, as well as German, Welsh, English

Will Peltz is an American actor and model. His roles include Men, Women & Children, Unfriended, and Time Freak. He is the son of Claudia, a model, and Nelson Peltz, a businessman and philanthropist. Among his siblings are actress Nicola Peltz and hockey player Brad Peltz.

Will’s father is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, of Austrian Jewish and Russian Jewish descent. Will’s mother has Italian, as well as German, Welsh, and English, ancestry. Will’s family practices Judaism (it is possible that his mother converted to Judaism). Will had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony. In a 2007 obituary of Will’s paternal grandmother, The New York Times described Nicola’s parents as “compassionate leaders of the New York Jewish community.”

Will’s paternal grandfather was Maurice Herbert Peltz (the son of Adolph Peltz and Rebecca Kroudvird). Maurice was born in New York, to Austrian Jewish parents. Adolph was the son of Morris Peltz and Shifra Rosen. Rebecca was the daughter of Solomon Kroudvird and Gertrude Weiss.

Will’s paternal grandmother was Claire Wechsler (the daughter of Nathan Wechsler and Lena Birdy). Claire was born in New York, to an Austrian Jewish father and a Russian Jewish mother.

Will’s maternal grandfather was William J. Heffner (the son of Edward G. Heffner and Claudia M. Evans). Will’s grandfather William was born in Maryland. Edward was the son of Edward Heffner and Mary W. Claudia was the daughter of Damon L. Evans and Lulu M. Rogers.

Will’s maternal grandmother is Barbara Marion Gatti (the daughter of Celestino/Charles Pierre Gatti and Elizabeth Gregoli). Charles was born in Pianello Val Tidone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, the son of Luigi/Louis Gatti and Maria Anna/Marion Ballerini. Elizabeth was born in Connecticut, to Italian parents, Jack A. Gregoli and Marcella/Marcelline.

Sources: Genealogy of Will Peltz – https://www.geni.com

Will’s paternal grandparents, Maurice Herbert Peltz and Claire Wechsler, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Will’s paternal grandfather, Maurice Herbert Peltz, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage announcement of Will’s maternal grandparents, William J. Heffner and Barbara Marion Gatti – https://newspaperarchive.com

Obituary of Will’s maternal grandfather, William J. Heffner – http://nl.newsbank.com

Will’s maternal great-grandfather, Edward G. Heffner, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org