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Reigns in 2015, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Leati Joseph Anoa’i
Place of Birth: Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Date of Birth: May 25, 1985
Ethnicity: * father – Samoan, as well as distant English * mother – English, Italian/Sicilian
Roman Reigns is an American professional wrestler, actor, and professional gridiron football player. He performs with WWE’s SmackDown brand. A defensive tackle, he was with Georgia Tech, the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL), and the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is also known as Leakee, Roman Leakee, and Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i. He is 6′3″.
Roman is a member of the Anoa’i family of professional wrestlers. His father, Sika Anoa’i (Leati Sika Amituana’i Anoa’i), was a professional wrestler, born on Leone, Tutuila, American Samoa. Sika wrestled with his brother, Roman’s uncle, Afa Anoa’i, as the Wild Samoans. His brother, Rosey (born Matthew Tapunu’u Anoa’i); his first cousins, Samu (born Samuel Fred Anoa’i), Rikishi (born Solofa Fatu, Jr.), Sam Fatu/The Tonga Kid, Yokozuna (born Rodney Agatupu Anoa’i), Black Pearl (born Reno Anoa’i), Lloyd Anoa’i, Umaga (born Edward Smith Fatu), and Afa Anoa’i, Jr; and his first cousins, once removed, fraternal twins Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso , Lance Anoa’i, and Solo Sikoa (born Joseph Yokozuna Fatu), were/are all professional wrestlers as well. His Samoan family comes from Tutuila Island, American Samoa.
Roman is married to Galina Becker, with whom he has five children.
Roman’s paternal grandfather was Muliaiga Amituana’i Anoa’i, also known as The Rev. Anoa’i Amituana’i (the son of Amituanai Faamaile Gatiso Ifopo and Puaaelo Faagata Lolofietele). The Rev. Anoa’i was born born on Fagaalo, Mauputasi, American Samoa. He was a pastor in the village of Utulei before moving to San Francisco. Roman’s great-grandfather Ifopo was the adoptive father of professional wrestler Peter Maivia, who is himself the adoptive grandfather of professional wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson . Ifopo was the son of Nakiso Ifopo Leota and Sinalei Tafiaina Amituanai. Puaaelo was born in Fagatogo, Mauputasi, Eastern, American Samoa, the daughter of Pasi Tootoo Vaafusuaga and Selesa Amituanai.
Roman’s paternal grandmother was Tovaleomanaia Florence Leoso “Tovale” Ripley (the daughter of Edward Fepulea’i Leoso Ripley, aka Ned Ripley, and of Tagi’ilima Tisa “Tagi” Li’o). Tovaleomanaia was born on Leone, Tutuila, American Samoa. Ned was the son of Edward Leoso “Ned” Ripley II and Saitaua/Saitava “Sa” Fepulea’i Papu. Roman’s great-great-grandfather Ned’s own grandfather, Edward Ripley, was an American, from Boston, Massachusetts, of Colonial American (English) descent; and was a secretary to the governor of Tutuila. Roman’s great-grandmother Tagi’ilima was born in Tutuila, Leone, the daughter of Tisa Fulu’ena Li’o and Fiapa’ipa’i Taeleifi.
Roman’s maternal grandfather was Argie Lee Hooker (the son of Dean Stanley Hooker and Mary Josephine Hollingsworth). Argie was born in Oklahoma. Dean was the son of William Penn Hooker and Elizabeth. Mary was the daughter of Jesse Watson Hollingsworth and Nancy Isabella Moore.
Roman’s maternal grandmother was Josephine Theresa Bagesse (the daughter of Carlo Bagesse and Genevieve Annette Albanese). Josephine was born in Louisiana. Carlo was born in Salaparuta, Trapani, Sicily, the son of Francesco Baggese and Giuseppa Calamia. Genevieve was also born in Italy, the daughter of Joseph Albanese and Rosa Girratano. She is said to have been of Arbëreshë descent. It is not clear if this is accurate.
Sources: https://youtu.be
Genealogy of Roman Reigns (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Roman Reigns (through his brother) (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.familysearch.org
Roman’s paternal grandmother, Tovaleomanaia Florence Leoso “Tovale” Ripley, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org