Gillette Family Genealogy & History

Anita Gillette, born Anita Luebben on August 16, 1936, is a celebrated American actress and singer with an extensive career across Broadway, film, and television. Known for her roles in Broadway productions such as "Gypsy," "Carnival!," and "Cabaret," she earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play for "Chapter Two." Gillette became a familiar face on television, appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and game shows like "What's My Line?" and "Match Game." Her film credits include "Moonstruck" and "Boys on the Side." Gillette's notable TV roles include appearances in "Quincy, M.E.," "CSI," and "30 Rock," showcasing her versatility and enduring presence in the entertainment industry.

King Camp Gillette, born on January 5, 1855, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was a pioneering American businessman renowned for inventing the disposable safety razor blade. His innovation revolutionized shaving by introducing an affordable, replaceable blade, boosting accessibility and convenience. Gillette founded the American Safety Razor Company, later renamed the Gillette Safety Razor Company, which expanded globally with manufacturing in the U.S., Canada, Britain, France, and Germany. By 1915, blade sales soared past 70 million units, and during World War I, the company supplied razors to American soldiers. Despite financial setbacks during the Great Depression, Gillette's brand endured as a staple in personal grooming.

Gillette's paternal ancestors were French Huguenots who fled to England in the late 16th century. In 1630, Nathan Gillette emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, establishing the family's American roots. King Camp Gillette was raised in Chicago, Illinois, where his family survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, shaping his early life experiences.

Jim Gillette, born on November 10, 1967, is a renowned American glam metal singer best known as the frontman of Nitro. Starting his career with Tuff, he released a solo album in 1987 before forming Nitro with guitarist Michael Angelo Batio. The band gained attention with albums like "O.F.R." and "Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S.", establishing Gillette's high-range vocal prowess. Post-Nitro, he collaborated with Lita Ford and formed Organ Donor, featuring tracks with Ford and Batio. Gillette's career highlights include his opera-trained vocal range and producing music across various bands, solidifying his status in the glam metal scene.

William Hooker Gillette was a pioneering American actor-manager, playwright, and stage manager best known for his iconic portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. His career, spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries, revolutionized theater with innovations in realistic stage settings and special effects. Gillette's depiction of Holmes, complete with the deerstalker cap and curved pipe, became defining symbols of the detective. He brought this character to life in over 1,300 performances, a silent film, and radio broadcasts. His Civil War drama, "Held by the Enemy," marked a shift toward modern theater, achieving critical success in Britain and challenging prevailing perceptions of American art.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut's Nook Farm, Gillette was part of a distinguished family. His father, Francis Gillette, was a U.S. Senator and advocate for education, abolition, and women's suffrage, while his mother, Elisabeth Daggett Hooker, descended from Reverend Thomas Hooker, Hartford's founder. William had several siblings, though he was the only one to remain at home after others moved away or tragically passed, including his brother Robert, who died after the Civil War's Fort Fisher assault.