Billings Family Genealogy & History

Kirk LeMoyne "Lem" Billings was an influential American businessman best known for his enduring friendship with John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy family. As Kennedy's preparatory school roommate and a key figure in his 1960 presidential campaign, Billings was deeply integrated into the Kennedy circle, even being dubbed "my second son" by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. He held roles such as Vice President at Emerson Drug Company and advertising executive at Lennen & Newell. Billings declined several prestigious government positions, preferring to maintain his personal relationship with Kennedy, and was involved in cultural initiatives like the National Cultural Center and the New York World's Fair.

Born on April 15, 1916, in Pittsburgh, Lem Billings was the third child of prominent physician Frederic Tremaine Billings and Mayflower descendant Romaine LeMoyne. His maternal great-grandfather, Francis Julius LeMoyne, was a noted abolitionist and founder of LeMoyne–Owen College. Despite financial challenges during the Depression, Billings attended Choate and later Princeton University. The Billings family were Episcopalians and Republicans, and Lem's early friendship with John F. Kennedy began at Choate, where they formed a lifelong bond.

Alexandra Billings is a renowned American actress, singer, and teacher known for her trailblazing roles as a transgender woman in television and film. She made history with her role in the 2005 film "Romy and Michele: In the Beginning" and gained wider recognition on Amazon's "Transparent" as Davina. Billings has also appeared in "ER," "Grey's Anatomy," and "How to Get Away with Murder." On stage, she became the first openly transgender person to star in "Wicked" on Broadway. Her contributions to the arts have been recognized with numerous awards, including the New York MAC Hanson Award for Cabaret Artist of the Year.

Alexandra Billings was born in Illinois into a multiracial family with European American, African American, and Native American ancestry. Her father, Robert Billings, was a significant influence on her artistic pursuits, serving as a music teacher and musical director in Los Angeles.

Sam Billings, an accomplished English professional cricketer, is known for his versatile skills as a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. Born on June 15, 1991, in Pembury, Kent, Billings has been a key player for Kent County Cricket Club since age eight, eventually rising to captain the team. His career spans appearances in the England cricket team, debuting in Test cricket in 2022, and participation in global T20 leagues like the IPL and Big Bash League. Billings' strategic approach and diverse scoring techniques have made him a standout figure in cricket, notably captaining the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.

Growing up on a family farm in Kent, Billings developed a strong sporting foundation influenced by his grandfather, Ron Billings, a racquets champion, and cousin, Tom Billings, a world champion in the sport. His diverse athletic background included playing tennis, football, racquets, squash, and rugby, contributing to his cricketing prowess.

Jack Billings, an Australian rules footballer born on 18 August 1995, has made significant strides in the AFL. Initially drafted by St Kilda with pick #3 in the 2013 National Draft, he became a key player, known for his impressive performances with Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup and Vic Metro. Billings, a two-time Under 18 All-Australian, showcased his talent early in his career, earning an AFL Rising Star nomination in 2014. Despite injuries in 2015 and 2016, he bounced back to become a vital member of St Kilda's leadership group in 2019. After a challenging 2022-2023 period, Billings was traded to Melbourne Football Club, continuing his AFL journey.