Butz Family Genealogy & History

Norbert Leo Butz is a renowned American actor and singer, celebrated for his exceptional contributions to Broadway theatre. Notably, he is a two-time Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical, honored for his roles in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and "Catch Me If You Can." Butz's impressive Broadway career includes standout performances in "Rent," "Wicked," and "My Fair Lady," earning him acclaim and several prestigious awards. He has also appeared in films like "Dan in Real Life" and "Higher Ground," showcasing his versatile talent across different media.

Norbert Leo Butz was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Elaine (née Bourisaw) and Norbert Butz. Raised in a devout Catholic, middle-class family, he is the seventh of 11 children, named after his father. His early life in a large family shaped his formative years and interest in theater.

Earl Lauer "Rusty" Butz, born on July 3, 1909, was a prominent U.S. government official, notably serving as Secretary of Agriculture under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Known for his innovative and transformative agricultural policies, Butz favored large-scale corporate farming and dismantled several New Deal programs. His slogan, "get big or get out," encouraged massive corn production, significantly impacting American agriculture and food prices. He played a critical role in the 1972 Soviet grain sale and was featured in the documentary "King Corn" as a pivotal figure in the rise of corn production and agribusiness.

Earl Butz was born and raised on a dairy farm in Noble County, Indiana, as the eldest of five children. He was the uncle of American football player Dave Butz. Earl married Mary Emma Powell in 1937, and they had two sons, William Powell and Thomas Earl Butz.

Arthur R. Butz is an associate professor of electrical engineering at Northwestern University, known for his controversial Holocaust denial. He achieved tenure in 1974 and is recognized for his work in control system theory and digital signal processing. Butz is most infamous as the author of the pseudohistorical book "The Hoax of the Twentieth Century," which claims the Holocaust was a hoax. His views have been widely criticized, including by Northwestern faculty and the Anti-Defamation League. Despite controversy, tenure protections have allowed him to continue teaching, though the university requires alternative course sections for any class he instructs.

David Ray Butz, born June 23, 1950, was a renowned American football player known for his formidable presence as a defensive tackle in the NFL, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Redskins from 1973 to 1988. Standing 6' 8" and weighing around 300 pounds, Butz was a pivotal figure on the field, contributing to the Redskins' two Super Bowl victories and earning a spot on the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. His career accolades include being named one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, a Pro Bowler in 1983, and induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Butz's legendary toughness was epitomized by his game-saving performance against the Jets in 1987.

Dave Butz was born in LaFayette, Alabama, and moved to Illinois with his family shortly after. He was the nephew of Earl Butz, a Purdue University professor and former United States secretary of agriculture. Butz lived in Belleville, Illinois, for much of his life with his wife, Candyce, and their three children. He passed away in Swansea, Illinois, on November 4, 2022, at the age of 72.