Rhodes Family Genealogy & History

Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes, born June 30, 1985, is a prominent American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE's SmackDown brand. Known for his tenure in WWE and as a co-founder of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Rhodes has amassed numerous titles, including the Undisputed WWE Championship and the inaugural AEW TNT Championship. He has also achieved significant success in other promotions like ROH and NJPW. Rhodes is celebrated for his back-to-back Royal Rumble victories in 2023 and 2024, and his starring role in reality TV alongside his wife, Brandi Rhodes.

Cody Rhodes was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Michelle Rubio and legendary wrestler Dusty Rhodes. Of Cuban descent through his maternal grandfather, Rhodes has a sister named Teil and two paternal half-siblings, Dustin and Kristin. He is the nephew of wrestlers Jerry Sags and Fred Ottman and the godson of Magnum T. A. Raised in Georgia, Rhodes excelled in high school wrestling before choosing a professional wrestling career over college wrestling at Penn State University.

Dusty Rhodes, born Virgil Riley Runnels Jr., was an iconic American professional wrestler known for his magnetic charisma and "common man" persona. As "The American Dream," he achieved legendary status in the wrestling world, becoming a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and winning numerous other titles across National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling. Rhodes was a pivotal figure in wrestling, later contributing as a booker and trainer, particularly in WWE's NXT developmental territory. His sons, Dustin and Cody, continue his legacy in professional wrestling, performing for All Elite Wrestling and WWE, respectively.

Cecil John Rhodes was a prominent English-South African mining magnate and politician, known for his role as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. He founded what became known as Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe and Zambia, and established the De Beers diamond company, securing a near-complete monopoly on the global diamond market. Rhodes' legacy includes the Rhodes Scholarship, the oldest graduate scholarship in the world, funded by his estate. Despite his achievements, his policies, like the Glen Grey Act, have sparked significant debate due to their impact on the indigenous populations.

Born in 1853 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, Rhodes was the fifth son of Reverend Francis William Rhodes, a Church of England clergyman, and Louisa Peacock. His paternal grandfather, William Rhodes, was a brick manufacturer with estates in Hackney and Dalston, London. Cecil's family roots trace back to James Rhodes of Snape Green, Whitmore, Staffordshire, around 1660. His siblings included Frank Rhodes, a British Army officer, highlighting a family deeply embedded in English societal structures.

Cynthia Rhodes, born on November 21, 1956, in Nashville, Tennessee, is a retired American actress, singer, and dancer renowned for her roles in iconic films such as "Flashdance" and "Dirty Dancing." Rhodes began her career at Opryland USA and gained fame for her performances in "Staying Alive" alongside John Travolta and the science fiction thriller "Runaway." She also made significant contributions to music, notably joining the pop group Animotion and collaborating with her then-husband Richard Marx. Her dedication to maintaining a clean-cut image was well-regarded in Hollywood.