Durbin Family Genealogy & History

Deanna Durbin, born Edna Mae Durbin, was a Canadian-born American soprano and actress renowned for her performances in the 1930s and 1940s musical films. With her impressive lyric soprano voice, she starred in hits like "Three Smart Girls" and "One Hundred Men and a Girl," saving Universal Studios from bankruptcy. Her talents earned her the Academy Juvenile Award in 1938. Despite initial success with girl-next-door roles, Durbin sought mature roles in films like "Christmas Holiday" and "Lady on a Train." However, she eventually retired from acting, marrying Charles Henri David and moving to France.

Deanna Durbin was the younger daughter of James Allen Durbin and Ada Tomlinson Read, who hailed from Greater Manchester, England. The family relocated to Winnipeg, Canada, before moving to Los Angeles, where they became U.S. citizens in 1928. Deanna's talent was recognized early by her sister Edith, leading to voice lessons that launched her remarkable career.

Dick Durbin, full name Richard Joseph Durbin, is a prominent American politician and lawyer known for his extensive career in the United States Senate, representing Illinois since 1997. A key figure in the Democratic Party, Durbin has held influential positions such as Senate Democratic Whip and Senate Minority Whip. His notable achievements include chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2025 and leading the Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination hearings. Durbin's long tenure has made him the longest-serving Senate party whip in U.S. history as of 2024.

Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Dick Durbin comes from a diverse family background with an Irish-American father, William Durbin, and a Lithuanian-born mother, Anna (née Kutkin; Lithuanian: Ona Kutkaitė). His early life experiences, including working in a meatpacking plant, shaped his later political career.

Karen Durbin (1944-2025) was a prominent American journalist and critic, renowned for her work with The Village Voice, where she served as a staff writer, assistant editor, and later, Editor-in-Chief. Her career spanned several decades, with significant contributions to feminist discourse and film criticism. Durbin's writings appeared in top publications like The New York Times, Mirabella, and Elle, where she was the first film critic. Her acclaimed articles such as "Casualties of the Sex War" and "On Being a Woman Alone" are celebrated for their insightful critique of feminism and personal narratives. Durbin's legacy in journalism is preserved in the Barnard College Archives.

Karen Lee Durbin was born on August 28, 1944, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to parents Violet and Charles Durbin. She grew up in Indianapolis, where she completed her high school education before attending Bryn Mawr College.

Allison Ann Durbin, a prominent figure in the New Zealand and Australian music scenes of the late 1960s and 1970s, was renowned for her role as a teen idol and her contributions to pop music. Known for her hit singles like "I Have Loved Me a Man," Durbin achieved significant success, winning the New Zealand music award, the Loxene Golden Disc, and being named New Zealand Entertainer of the Year in 1969. She was also a three-time winner of the King of Pop Award for Best Female Artist in Australia. Her collaborations, including a duet album with Johnny Farnham, further solidified her standing in the music industry.

Born in 1950 in Auckland, Allison Durbin was the second eldest of seven children to parents Owen and Agnes Durbin. Her familial connection extends to Canadian-born actress and lyric soprano Deanna Durbin, highlighting a lineage of artistic talent. Raised in a musically inclined environment, Allison's early exposure to singing, including participation in a children's choir, set the stage for her future career.