Birth Name: Constantine Alexander Payne
Place of Birth: Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Date of Birth: February 10, 1961
Ethnicity: Greek, 1/4 German
Alexander Payne is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is the son of Peggy (Constantine) and George Payne. He has two brothers, Nicholas and George.
Alexander’s father is of half-Greek, half-German descent. His surname “Payne” was originally modified from “Papadopoulos”. Alexander’s mother also has Greek ancestry.
Regarding his Greek background, Alexander has stated:
“I’m American, I am Greek-American, but American. However, this crisis affecting Greece I feel that it mobilizes my DNA. Sometimes I’m thinking about things that might help. I believe that the time is right for artists, including Greek artists of the diaspora to make beautiful things. And to do it with the consciousness of their Greekness, to help Greece and care.”
Alexander’s paternal grandfather was Nicholas/Nikos/Nick S. Payne (the son of Spiro Papadopoulos and Georgia Michalopoulos). Nicholas was born in Aigio, Achaea, Greece, to Greek parents.
Alexander’s paternal grandmother was Clara Rose Hoffman/Hoffmann (the daughter of Joseph Hoffmann, Sr. and Anna). Clara was born in Nebraska, to parents from Germany.
Alexander’s maternal grandparents had roots in Livadeia, Boeotia, and Syros, Greece.
Sources: Alexander’s paternal grandfather, Nicholas “Nick” S. Payne/Papadopoulous, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XQKD-LWW
Alexander’s paternal grandmother, Clara Rose Hoffman/Hoffmann, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLHQ-35Q
http://www.stjohnsgreekorthodox.org/centennial/Payne.pdf
http://www.nebraskalife.com/Nebraskan-Director-Alexander-Payne/
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