Eames Family Genealogy & History

Ray-Bernice Alexandra Kaiser Eames was a pioneering American artist and designer, renowned for her collaborative work with her husband, Charles Eames, at The Eames Office. Together, they revolutionized the fields of architecture, graphic design, textile design, film, and particularly furniture design, with their creations still produced today. Eames was a key figure in the 20th-century design landscape, earning posthumous recognition for her contributions. She was also a founding member of the American Abstract Artists group, influencing the New York art scene in the 1930s through her abstract expressionist paintings.

Ray Eames was born in Sacramento, California, to Alexander and Edna Burr Kaiser. Her father initially managed the vaudeville Empress Theater before becoming an insurance salesman. Eames grew up in a protective household, particularly due to her mother's concerns, and was close to both her mother and her older brother, Maurice. The family's background reflected a blend of Jewish and Episcopalian influences, shaping her early life and values.

Charles Ormond Eames Jr. was a pioneering American designer, architect, and filmmaker renowned for transforming architecture, furniture design, and industrial manufacturing. He partnered professionally with his wife, Ray-Bernice Kaiser Eames, to create iconic moulded plywood furniture and innovative designs for the U.S. Navy. Eames's noteworthy contributions include the Case Study House Program and the iconic Eames Chair. His work has left a lasting impact on 20th-century design, making him a celebrated figure in modern architecture and design history.

Charles Eames was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles Eames Sr., a railway security officer, and Marie Adele Celine Eames (née Lambert). He had an elder sister named Adele. Eames's early life in St. Louis and his family background played a foundational role in shaping his future career and achievements.

Alexandra "Alex" Eames, portrayed by Kathryn Erbe, is a distinguished fictional detective from the Law & Order universe, prominently featured in Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Known for her analytical prowess and acerbic wit, Eames served as the senior partner to Detective Robert Goren, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. Throughout her career, she earned notable commendations for her service, including Excellent Police Duty and Meritorious Police Duty awards. Eames also appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, where her character advanced to lieutenant, working with the Homeland Security Task Force. Erbe’s portrayal earned her a 2008 Satellite Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series.

Clare Eames was a renowned American actress and stage director, celebrated for her roles in classical theatre and Broadway. Born on August 5, 1894, her career skyrocketed with her acclaimed portrayal of Princess Elizabeth in a 1920 adaptation of Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper." Eames joined Ethel Barrymore's repertory theatre in 1919 and quickly became a leading figure in American theatre, featuring in plays by Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. Despite her promising career, she made only a few silent films before her untimely death in 1930, thus missing the transition to sound films.

Clare Eames was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Clare (Hamilton) and Hayden Eames. Her maternal grandfather was William Thomas Hamilton, a former Maryland governor and senator. She was also the niece of the celebrated American soprano Emma Eames. The family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, when Clare was 11, after which she moved to Paris to live with her aunt and pursue drama studies, eventually attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.