Whalen Family Genealogy & History

Sean Whalen, born on May 19, 1964, is a versatile American actor, writer, and director renowned for his diverse roles in television and film. He gained recognition for his appearances in iconic TV shows like "Unfabulous" and "Lost," and films such as "The People Under the Stairs" and "Twister." Whalen's memorable role as a hapless history buff in the first "Got Milk?" commercial directed by Michael Bay also stands out. His career spans various genres, showcasing his talents in movies including "Batman Returns," "Men in Black," and "Never Been Kissed," as well as recent projects like "An American Pickle" and the video game "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre."

Lindsay Marie Whalen is a celebrated American professional basketball coach and former player known for her remarkable WNBA career. As one of the best point guards in WNBA history, Whalen led the Minnesota Lynx to four WNBA championships and earned two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women's national team. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, Whalen's achievements include being named one of the top 25 WNBA players of all time. Her collegiate career at the University of Minnesota was equally impressive, culminating in a Final Four appearance and numerous All-American honors.

Jack Whalen, also known as "The Enforcer" and Jack O'Hara, was a notorious figure in the criminal underworld of the 1940s and 1950s. Born on May 11, 1918, in Missouri, Whalen became a freelance contract killer and bookie, working primarily for the Los Angeles crime family. He was associated with infamous figures like Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, Mickey Cohen, and the Shannon brothers. Notably, Whalen earned the nickname "The Enforcer" for his reputed toughness, claiming that he didn't need a gun. His life of crime came to a violent end when he was shot and killed at Rondelli's restaurant in 1959.

Jack Whalen's father, Fred, was also involved in criminal activities but sought a better path for his son by enrolling him in military school. This decision led Whalen to play polo and serve as a bomber pilot during World War II. Despite these experiences, he eventually followed a criminal path, marrying into a wealthy Los Angeles family before launching his own illicit career.

Philip Glenn Whalen was an influential American poet and Zen Buddhist associated with the San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat generation. Born on October 20, 1923, in Portland, Oregon, he became renowned for his contributions to modern poetry, including reading at the historic Six Gallery event in 1955. His works were prominently featured in "The New American Poetry 1945-1960." Whalen's literary career includes notable poetry collections like "On Bear's Head" and "Canoeing up Cabarga Creek," as well as novels such as "You Didn't Even Try." A dedicated Zen practitioner, he became head monk of Dharma Sangha in Santa Fe and later led the Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco.