Rea Family Genealogy & History

Stephen Rea, born in 1946 in Belfast, is a celebrated Irish actor renowned for his versatile performances on stage and screen. Gaining international acclaim with his Academy Award-nominated role in Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game" (1992), Rea frequently collaborated with Jordan in films like "Interview with the Vampire" and "Michael Collins." His stage career is equally illustrious, highlighted by his involvement with the Field Day Theatre Company and performances at the Abbey Theatre. Rea's achievements include a BAFTA Award for "The Honourable Woman" (2015), solidifying his status as a prominent figure in Irish cinema and theatre.

Born to a Protestant family in Belfast, Stephen Rea's father worked as a bus driver, and his mother was a housewife. The family was sympathetic to Irish nationalism, influencing Rea's cultural and personal identity. He pursued English at Queen's University Belfast, followed by drama studies at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin, laying the foundation for his distinguished career.

Chris Rea, a British rock and blues singer-songwriter, is renowned for his distinctive voice and exceptional slide guitar skills. Born in Middlesbrough in 1951, he achieved fame with hits like "The Road to Hell," "Auberge," and "Driving Home for Christmas." Rea's career includes 25 studio albums, with two topping the UK Albums Chart. He was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist three times and earned a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist in 1978. Despite never touring the U.S., he remains influential globally, selling over 40 million records.

Christopher Rea was born to an Italian father, Camillo Rea, from Arpino, and an Irish mother, Winifred K. Slee. Raised Roman Catholic, he was one of seven children. His family owned a well-known ice cream business in Middlesbrough, where Rea worked in his youth, contributing to the local legacy of the Rea name.

Andrew Douglas Rea, famously known as Babish, is an influential American YouTuber, cook, and author renowned for his channel Babish Culinary Universe. He gained widespread recognition through his shows Binging with Babish and Basics with Babish, which have captivated millions with their unique cooking content. Rea has authored three successful cookbooks, with Binging with Babish becoming a New York Times Best Seller. His channel's popularity soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting him to expand his content and collaborate with other chefs. Additionally, Rea launched a cookware line, offering high-quality kitchen tools for everyday chefs.

Andrew Rea was born on September 2, 1987, in Mendon, New York, to parents Annie and Douglas Rea and was raised in Rochester, New York. He is of Italian, Jewish, Polish, and Welsh descent. His mother, Annie, who passed away when he was 11, played a pivotal role in teaching him how to cook, a passion he rekindled in his teenage years to feel closer to her. Rea has an older brother named David, and his nephew, Christopher, has appeared in his videos.

Neill Rea is a prominent New Zealand actor and casting director, renowned for his lead role as detective Mike Shepherd in the popular TV series The Brokenwood Mysteries, which has been airing since 2014. Rea's early career included roles in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Duggan, and he gained further recognition with his performance in the 1999 film Scarfies. Additionally, he appeared in the comedy-drama Go Girls and the film The Warrior's Way. Beyond acting, Neill Rea is the owner of Fly Casting, a casting agency based in Auckland. His outstanding work in The Brokenwood Mysteries earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the 2023 New Zealand Television Awards.