Penn Badgley is a popular American actor and musician, best known for his roles as Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl and Joe Goldberg in You. But what is his ethnic and religious background? Is he Jewish, as his character’s surname in You might suggest? Here is what we know about Penn Badgley’s ancestry and beliefs.
Penn Badgley’s Ethnicity
According to EthniCelebs, Penn Badgley’s ethnicity is a mix of Irish, English, smaller amounts of French-Canadian, German, Scottish, likely around 1/16th or 1/32 African-Jamaican, and remote Dutch, Welsh, and French Huguenot. His paternal grandfather, Eugene Doty Badgley, was of mostly English descent, while his paternal grandmother, Janet Adair Duff, had a Jamaican-born father, Howard Duff, who was of at least part African-Jamaican ancestry. Penn’s maternal grandfather, Stewart Francis Murphy, was of Irish descent, while his maternal grandmother, Dorothy Louise Martin, had French-Canadian, German, and Scottish roots.
Penn Badgley was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 1, 1986, to Duff and Lynne Murphy Badgley. His parents divorced when he was 12, and he moved with his mother to California, where he pursued an acting career. He later attended Santa Monica College and Lewis & Clark College, but did not graduate.
Penn Badgley’s Faith
Penn Badgley is a follower of the Baháʼí Faith, a monotheistic religion that teaches the unity of God, humanity, and religion. According to Page Six, Penn Badgley found religion after he met singer Domino Kirke, sister of actresses Lola and Jemima Kirke. The couple married in 2017 and have a son, James, born in 2020. Penn also has a stepson, Cassius, from Domino’s previous relationship.
Penn Badgley has spoken about his faith and the discrimination he faced because of it. In an interview with Bustle, he said, “I grew up in a very religious household, and I was discriminated against for it. I was told I was going to hell. I was told I was a cult member. I was told I was brainwashed. I was told all these things by people who were very close to me, and it was very painful.” He also said that his faith helped him cope with fame and the pressures of Hollywood. He said, “It’s given me a perspective that is not so caught up in the things of this world, and that’s very helpful when you’re in a world that is so caught up in the things of this world.”
Penn Badgley has also expressed his support for social justice and human rights causes, such as Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmentalism. He has used his platform to raise awareness and funds for various organizations, such as the Tahirih Justice Center, which provides legal and social services to immigrant women and girls fleeing violence. He has also performed with his band, MOTHXR, at charity events and festivals.
Conclusion
Penn Badgley is not Jewish, but he is a Baháʼí, a religion that respects and embraces all faiths. He is also a talented actor and musician, who has a diverse and rich ethnic heritage. He is a proud husband and father, and a passionate advocate for social change. He is more than just his roles on screen, he is a complex and fascinating person.