Profile Text
06/04/2019 – Demie – HBO’s “Euphoria” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals – Cinerama Dome, 6360 Sunset Boulevard – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Guillermo Proano / PR Photos
Birth Name: Alexa Demie Wilson-Vanerstrom
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: December 11, 1990
Ethnicity: * paternal grandfather – German, some French-Canadian * paternal grandmother – Ashkenazi Jewish * mother – Mexican [Indigenous, Spanish]
Alexa Demie is an American actress, singer, and model. She plays Maddy Perez on the series Euphoria . Her roles also include the films Brigsby Bear , Mid90s , Waves , and Mainstream (2020), and the show Ray Donovan .
Alexa’s mother, Rose Mendez, is a celebrity make-up artist and writer; Rose was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and came to the U.S. in the 1980s.
Alexa’s surname, Vanerstrom, comes from her likely step-great-great-great-grandfather, Charles Vanerstrom. Charles’ father was Swedish.
Alexa’s paternal grandfather was John Robert Vanerstrom (the son of Frank Henry Vanerstrom and Helen R. Rohrback). John was born in Michigan. Frank was the son of Frank August Vanerstrom and Minnie Marie Mincel, who had German ancestry. Helen was the daughter of William James Rohrback/Rohrbach, who was of German descent, and of Margaret Peter/Petee, who was of French-Canadian ancestry. Alexa’s great-great-grandfather Frank Vanerstrom was likely born Frank Childers, and took his stepfather’s name.
Alexa’s paternal grandmother was Carole E. Unrot (the daughter of Abraham “Al” Unrot and Eve/Rebecca Matafsky/Martin). Abraham was born in Canada, the son of Meyer/Max Unrot and Chaya/Annia/Anna Helena Werek, who were Polish Jews/Russian Jews. Eve was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of Samuel “Sam” Matafsky/Martin and Pauline “Polly” Keller, who were Russian Jews.
Alexa’s grandmother Carole re-married to musician Dennis Wilson, of The Beach Boys, in 1965. Dennis was the brother of musicians Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson. Dennis adopted Alexa’s father. Through this line, Alexa is a first cousin, once removed, of Dennis’s nieces, musicians Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson , and a first cousin, twice removed, of Dennis’s cousin, musician Mike Love .
Alexa’s maternal grandmother is named Isabel Magaña.
Sources: Alexa Demie talking about her Mexican heritage – https://www.vogue.mx
Genealogy of Alexa Demie (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Marriage record of Alexa’s paternal great-grandparents, Frank Henry Vanerstrom and Helen R. Rohrback- https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Alexa’s paternal great-grandfather, Frank Henry Vanerstrom – https://www.findagrave.com
Alexa’s paternal great-grandfather, Frank Henry Vanerstrom, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org Frank Henry Vanerstrom on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Alexa’s paternal great-grandfather, Abraham “Al” Unrot, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Alexa’s paternal great-grandmother, Eve/Rebecca (Martin) Kaminsky/Cominsky, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org