Profile Text
Eleniak in 2011, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Erika Maya Eleniak
Place of Birth: Glendale, Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: September 29, 1969
Ethnicity: * father – Rusyn, Polish * mother – Russian, as well as Estonian, German
Erika Eleniak is an American model and actress. Her roles include Shauni on the series Baywatch , and the films E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , The Blob (1988), Under Siege , The Beverly Hillbillies , and Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood . She was Playboy Playmate for July 1989.
She is the daughter of Iris and Dale Eleniak. Her father was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, of Rusyn and Polish descent. Her mother was born in Flensburg, Germany, of Russian, as well as Estonian and German, ancestry. She is a niece of actor and comedian Eddie Carroll (born Edward Eleniak). Erika is married to key grip Roch Daigle, with whom she has a daughter.
Erika’s paternal grandfather was Peter Eleniak (the son of Ivan/John Eleniak and Yarena/Irene/Jenina Widynowski/Widynowska). Peter was born in Chipman, Alberta, Canada, to Rusyn parents from Nebyliv, Galicia, Austria, now Ukraine. Ivan was the son of Stefan Eleniak and Eudokia/Dora Stefura.
Erika’s paternal grandmother was named Marie/Marise Starchesky/Starcheski (the daughter of John W. Starchesky and Jakla/Teresa). Marie was born in Round Hill, Alberta, Canada, to Polish parents, from Galicia.
Erika’s maternal grandfather was Viktor/Victor Woldemar Pessegov, later Neggo (the son of Mihhail Pessegov and Bertha Clara Louise/Luise Neggo). Viktor was born in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. His brother was Estonian film producer Arkadi Pessegov, who was married to actress Lulo Purre-Pessegov. Mihhail was born in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, and was the son of Jakov Pessegov. Bertha was Estonian, born in Valjala, Saaremaa, and was the daughter of Karl-Aleksander Nõgu/Neggo, a farmer, and of Caroline/Karoline Elisabeth Perker. Her brother, Erika’s great-great-uncle, was educator, politician, and diplomat Victor Neggo. Victor was executed by the Soviet authorities in 1942.
Erika’s maternal grandmother was Irina/Irene Büttner/Bütner (the daughter of Georg Büttner and Anna Zorubina). Irene was born in Reval/Tallinn, Estonia, to an Estonian father and a Russian mother.
Sources: Obituaries of Erika’s paternal grandparents, Peter Eleniak and Marie/Marise (Starchesky/Starcheski) Eleniak – https://www.findagrave.com
Erika’s paternal grandfather, Peter Eleniak, on the 1911 Canada Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Erika’s paternal grandmother, Marie/Marise Starchesky/Starcheski, on the 1926 Canada, Prairie Provinces Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Erika’s mother (focusing on her own father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Obituary of Erika’s mother – https://www.legacy.com
U.S. Naturalization record of Erika’s maternal grandfather, Viktor/Victor Woldemar Pessegov/Neggo – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Erika’s maternal grandfather, Viktor/Victor Woldemar Pessegov/Neggo – https://www.familysearch.org
U.S. Naturalization record of Erika’s maternal great-grandmother, Bertha Clara Louise/Luise (Neggo) Pessegov – https://www.familysearch.org