Profile Text
Bilzerian in 2016, photo by kathclick /Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Brandon Dan Bilzerian
Place of Birth: Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Date of Birth: December 7, 1980
Ethnicity: *25% Armenian *25% French-Canadian *25% Swiss [German, more distant French] *25% Norwegian
Dan Bilzerian is an American social media personality, influencer, professional poker player, and far-right conspiracy theorist. He co-starred in the film Extraction (2015).
Dan is the son of Terri and Paul Bilzerian (Paul Alec Bilzerian), a businessperson and corporate takeover specialist. His father owned a controlling stake in, and was chairman and CEO of, Singer Corporation. His father is of one half Armenian and one half French-Canadian descent. His mother is of one half Swiss [German, more distant French] and one half Norwegian ancestry. His brother is poker player Adam Bilzerian.
Dan was in the U.S. Navy, on active duty from 1999 to 2003, and in the reserves from 2003 to 2007.
Dan has stated that he is “12% Jewish.” While it is not clear which ancestor he was referring to, it may have been a reference to one of his great-great-grandfathers having been named Israel Garber/Gerber. Israel Garber was of Swiss, non-Jewish, background, from Bern, the son of Christian C. Gerber and Barbara C. Hofstetter; and was born at a time when Biblical first names were common in Switzerland. No Jewish heritage appears in family trees of Dan Blizerian.
Dan’s paternal grandfather was Oscar Alexander Bilezerian/Bilzerian (the son of Alexander S. Bilezerian/Bilzerian and Lucy/Lusen Danielian/Dunelian). Oscar was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Armenian parents. Dan’s great-grandfather Alexander was the son of Sarkis Bilezerian and Eva Gooligeian.
Dan’s paternal grandmother was Joan Irene Barry/Barrie (the daughter of Leon Henry Barry/Barrie and Marie Claire Eveline Lachance). Joan was born in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, to parents of French-Canadian descent. Leon was born in Massachusetts, the son of Henry George Barrie, whose mother was born in Canada; and of Aline/Aileen L. Pierce Bedard. The original family surname was Baril. Dan’s great-grandmother Claire was born in Dudley, Worcester County, the daughter of Joseph H. Lachance and Georgiana/Georgianna Chartier, who were from Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Dan’s maternal grandfather was Harry Allen Steffen (the son of Samuel Steffen and Rose Susan Garber). Harry was born in Ohio. Samuel was born in Kidron, Wayne County, Ohio, the son of Johannes “John” Steffen, who was born in Rüderswil, Emmental, Bern, Switzerland; and of Magdalena J. Amstutz, whose father was from Châtelat, Petit-Val, Bern, Switzerland, and whose mother was born in Belfort, Franche-Comté, France, and also had roots in Bern. Dan’s great-grandmother Rose was born in Missouri, the daughter of Israel Garber/Gerber and Barbara Ann Suter, who were of Swiss-German descent, with grandparents also from Bern.
Dan’s maternal grandmother was Lois Jane Lanning (the daughter of Alfred Lanning and Alice Theoline Strand). Alfred was born in Minnesota, the son of Peder Sylversen/Syversen Lanning, whose parents were Norweigan, with roots in Oppland; and of Marta/Martha Olsdatter Gulden, who was born in Lunner, Oppland, Norway. Dan’s great-grandmother Alice was the daughter of Helmer Parelius E. Strand and Emma Elvina Tollefson, who were born in Minnesota, both of them to Norwegian parents, with at least partial roots in Nærøy, Nord-Trondelag.
Sources: Genealogy of Dan Blizerian – https://www.geni.com
Dan’s paternal grandfather, Oscar Alexander Bilezerian/Bilzerian, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Genealogy of Dan’s paternal great-grandfather, Alexander S. Bilezerian/Bilzerian – https://www.findagrave.com
Dan’s paternal grandmother, Joan Irene Barry/Barrie, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Dan’s paternal grandmother, Joan Irene (Barry/Barrie) Bilezerian – http://www.legacy.com
Dan’s paternal great-grandfather, Leon Henry Barrie, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Dan’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Henry George Barrie, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Dan’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Joseph H. Lachance (focusing on his own father’s side) – http://www.voyerbedard.gendexnetwork.org
Obituary of Dan’s maternal uncle (mother’s brother) – http://www.brenny.com
Obituary of Dan’s maternal great-aunt (grandmother’s sister) – http://www.startribune.com
Genealogies of Dan’s maternal great-grandparents, Alfred Lanning and Alice Theoline (Strand) Lanning – http://www.findagrave.com