McDonnell Family Genealogy & History

Mary Eileen McDonnell, born April 28, 1952, is a renowned American actress celebrated for her roles in film, television, and stage. She received Academy Award nominations for her performances in "Dances With Wolves" and "Passion Fish." McDonnell is widely recognized for her portrayals of President Laura Roslin in "Battlestar Galactica" and First Lady Marilyn Whitmore in "Independence Day." Her television career includes starring as Captain Sharon Raydor in "The Closer" and its spin-off "Major Crimes." She has been honored with Emmy nominations and has made significant contributions to both Broadway and film, appearing in notable productions like "The Heidi Chronicles" and "12 Angry Men."

Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Mary McDonnell is of Irish descent and was raised Roman Catholic. She is one of six children of Eileen (née Mundy) and John "Jack" McDonnell, a computer consultant. The family relocated to Ithaca, New York, where McDonnell spent her childhood. Her father passed away when she was 21 years old, a significant moment in her early life.

Owen McDonnell, born in Galway, Ireland in 1974, is a renowned Irish actor celebrated for his diverse roles in television and film. Notable career highlights include starring as Garda Sergeant Jack Driscoll in the RTÉ drama "Single-Handed" (2007–2010), for which he received an IFTA Award nomination in 2011. McDonnell further showcased his versatility in the TG4 Western "An Klondike" (2015–2017) and captivated audiences as Niko Polastri in the acclaimed BBC spy thriller "Killing Eve" (2018–2022). His career spans various genres, including theater, crime thrillers, and sitcoms, establishing him as a significant figure in the entertainment industry.

Charlotte McDonnell, known for her groundbreaking YouTube channel charlieissocoollike, became the first UK-based creator to reach one million subscribers. A versatile artist, she has made significant contributions as a filmmaker, screenwriter, musician, and Twitch streamer. McDonnell was a member of the Doctor Who-themed band Chameleon Circuit and released a solo album titled This Is Me. Her career highlights include co-hosting the YouTube show Cereal Time and creating the science fiction series Don't Look Deeper on Quibi. In 2023, she publicly announced her transition as a transgender woman.

Charlotte McDonnell was born on 1 October 1990 in Bath, Somerset, to parents Lindsey and Mark. She has two younger siblings, William and Bridie.

Gavin McDonnell, born on 30 March 1986, is a renowned British professional boxer notable for competing twice for world super-bantamweight titles, contending for the WBC title in 2017 and the WBA title in 2018. He gained recognition in 2014 after winning the vacant British Super-Bantamweight title by TKO against Leigh Wood and later retaining it in a split draw against Josh Wale. McDonnell further established his prowess by defeating Vusi Malinga for the WBO International Super-Bantamweight title and successfully defended his WBC regional title against Stuart Hall in 2018. He is ranked 4th in the British Super-Bantamweight division and is known for his strategic and commanding fighting style.

Gavin McDonnell is the twin brother of fellow boxer Jamie McDonnell, illustrating a strong family connection within the boxing world. The shared career paths highlight a familial legacy in professional boxing.