Keri Russell’s Ethnic Background: A Mix of English, German, Scottish, Irish, Manx, Dutch, and Danish

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Keri Lynn Russell was born on March 23, 1976, in Fountain Valley, Orange, California, United States. Boasting English roots, she is the daughter of Stephanie and David Harold Russell.

However, her lineage also encompasses a mix of German, Swiss-German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Manx from the Isle of Man, Dutch, and Danish heritages.

Tracing back her family tree, many of her ancestors hailed from New England in the 1600s and, even earlier, from England. Despite rumors to the contrary, she’s not Jewish.

Keri Lynn Russell, born on March 23, 1976, in Fountain Valley, Orange, California, is of English, German, Swiss-German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Manx/Isle of Man, Dutch, and Danish ethnicityKeri Lynn Russell, born on March 23, 1976, in Fountain Valley, Orange, California, is of English, German, Swiss-German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Manx/Isle of Man, Dutch, and Danish ethnicity (Credit: M10s / TheNews2 / Cover Images)

In a 2006 Vanity Fair interview, actress Keri Russell, who starred in Mission: Impossible III alongside Tom Cruise, dismissed rumors that Cruise was encouraging her to join Scientology, labeling them “nonsense.” Russell humorously mentioned her concerned grandmothers’ reactions to the claims.

“I had all my Jewish grandmothers calling, going, ‘Is Keri a Scientologist? Do we have to be worried?’.

Rumors suggest that Keri Russell was a member of the LDS Church in Mesa, Arizona until she was 15. A former BYU blogger, Pete Thunell, claimed to have found a childhood friend of Russell’s in 2000 who verified that the actress was Mormon and attended church with her. However, this has not been confirmed by Russell herself.

Keri Russell’s Simple, Elegant Emmys Red Carpet Look

Keri Russell graced the event in a sophisticated cream Stephane Rolland dress featuring a floor-sweeping train, complemented by shimmering Fernando Jorge earrings, a delicate Priti Patel ring, and a pair of sleek Giuseppe Zanotti shoesKeri Russell graced the event in a sophisticated cream Stephane Rolland dress featuring a floor-sweeping train, complemented by shimmering Fernando Jorge earrings, a delicate Priti Patel ring, and a pair of sleek Giuseppe Zanotti shoes (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)

In September 2016, Keri Russell kept the Emmys red carpet simple, even though several of her fellow A-listers brought the bedazzle.

At the Emmys red carpet, Keri Russell chose understated elegance over the dazzle many of her A-list peers donnedAt the Emmys red carpet, Keri Russell chose understated elegance over the dazzle many of her A-list peers donned (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)

The only sparkle Keri had was in her eyes for co-star — and real-life boyfriend — Matthew Rhys. Instead of bling, Keri showed off her first Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

At the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 18, 2016, Keri Russell stood at 5ft 4 (162.6 cm) while Matthew Rhys towered slightly at 5ft 10 ½ (179.1 cm)At the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 18, 2016, Keri Russell stood at 5ft 4 (162.6 cm), while Matthew Rhys towered slightly at 5ft 10 ½ (179.1 cm) (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)

Even though the actress didn’t take home the award that night, we still give her a stamp of approval for her ensemble.

The star of “The Americans” looked gorgeous in her white crepe and chiffon gown from the Stephane Rolland Paris Fall 2016 collection.

Keri Russell turned heads in a pristine white crepe and chiffon gown from Stephane Rolland's Paris Fall 2016 collectionKeri Russell turned heads in a pristine white crepe and chiffon gown from Stephane Rolland’s Paris Fall 2016 collection (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)

She paired her flowing white gown with Giuseppe Zanotti’s famous three-strap sandals in Ramino.

Keri Russell showed off her feet in gold metallic Giuseppe Zanotti heelsKeri Russell showed off her feet in gold metallic Giuseppe Zanotti heels (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)

Keri’s “Coline” sandals are metallic leather and feature 4.5-inch heels.

Keri Russell displays her feet in Giuseppe Zanotti's "Coline" sandalsKeri Russell displays her feet in Giuseppe Zanotti’s “Coline” sandals (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)

The Giuseppe Zanotti “Coline” sandals can be purchased at Farfetch.

Giuseppe Zanotti Metallic Three-Strap Evening Sandals in Ramino

Giuseppe Zanotti Metallic Three-Strap Evening Sandals in RaminoGiuseppe Zanotti Metallic Three-Strap Evening Sandals in Ramino, $845.00