Profile Text
Haynes attends the ‘Wonderstruck ‘ screening during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on 18 May, 2017 in Cannes, France. Denis Makarenko/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Todd Allen Haynes
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: January 2, 1961
Ethnicity: * father – English, Welsh * mother – Ashkenazi Jewish
Todd Haynes is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He directed and co-wrote the short film Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story , directed the films Poison (1991), Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine , Far from Heaven , all of which he wrote; I’m Not There , which he co-wrote; Carol (2015), Wonderstruck , Dark Waters (2019), The Velvet Underground (2021), and May December ; and directed and co-wrote the mini-series Mildred Pierce (2011).
Todd is the son of Sherry and Allen Haynes, a cosmetics importer. His sister is musician Gwynneth Haynes, of the band Sophe Lux. He was raised in Encino, Los Angeles.
Todd’s paternal grandfather was surnamed Haynes.
Todd’s paternal grandmother was surnamed Jenkins.
Todd’s maternal grandfather was Arnold Aron Semler (the son of Moses/Moe B. Semler and Rose Kaufman). Arnold was born in Oregon, to a Polish Jewish father and a Romanian Jewish mother. Moses was born in Dubno, Bielsk County, the son of Leon Semler and Anna Bernstein.
Todd’s maternal grandmother was Blessing Byrens (the daughter of Harry Byrens and Sara/Sarah Leah Cooles). Blessing was born in Texas. Harry was born in England, the son of Russian Jewish parents, Myer Byrens and Fanny Heideman. Sara was also born in England, also to Russian Jewish parents, Abraham Jacob Cooles and Theresa.
Sources: Genealogy of Todd Haynes (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Todd’s maternal grandmother, Blessing Byrens, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org