Adam Driver and Minnie Driver are two of the most talented and versatile actors in Hollywood today. They have both starred in a variety of films and TV shows, ranging from comedy to drama, from action to romance. But do they share more than just a surname? Are they related by blood or marriage? The answer might surprise you.
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The Origins of the Driver Name
The name Driver is a common occupational surname in England and Wales. It derives from the Anglo-Saxon word for “one who drives a cart or wagon” It is also a variant of the name Draper, which means “one who makes or sells cloth”
The name Driver was first recorded in the 13th century, and has been used by many notable people throughout history. Some of them include:
- John Driver, an English Puritan minister and writer who was executed for treason in 1655
- Samuel Driver, an English mathematician and astronomer who published several works on navigation and astronomy in the 17th century
- George Driver, an English cricketer who played for Kent and England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
- William Driver, an American sea captain who coined the term “Old Glory” for the American flag in 1831
- Charles Ronald Driver, a British Royal Air Force pilot who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his service in World War II
The Family Histories of Adam and Minnie
Adam Driver was born on November 19, 1983, in San Diego, California. His mother, Nancy Wright (née Needham), is a paralegal, and his father, Joe Douglas Driver, is of English and Scottish descent. His parents divorced when he was seven years old, and he moved with his mother and older sister to Mishawaka, Indiana. He was raised as a Baptist, and sang in the choir at church
Adam’s father had little involvement in his life, and he has described himself as a “misfit” during his childhood. He was inspired by the film Fight Club to start a fight club with his friends, and he also climbed radio towers and set objects on fire. He graduated from Mishawaka High School in 2001, and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps after the September 11 attacks. He served for more than two years before being medically discharged due to an injury
Adam then attended the University of Indianapolis for a year, before transferring to the Juilliard School in New York City to study drama. He graduated in 2009, and began his acting career on stage and screen. He rose to fame with his supporting role in the HBO series Girls (2012-2017), for which he received three Emmy nominations. He also gained recognition for playing Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015-2019), and for his acclaimed performances in films such as Paterson (2016), BlacKkKlansman (2018), Marriage Story (2019), The Last Duel (2021), and House of Gucci (2021). He has been nominated for two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and a Tony Award
Adam married actress Joanne Tucker in 2013, and they have two children together. He is also the founder of Arts in the Armed Forces, a non-profit organization that provides free arts programming to active-duty service members, veterans, military support staff, and their families worldwide
Minnie Driver was born on January 31, 1970, in London, England. Her mother, Gaynor Churchward (née Millington), was a fabric designer and former couture model. Her father, Charles Ronald Driver, was the same RAF pilot mentioned above. He was also a director of London United Investments, a financial company. Her parents never married, and her father had another family with his legal wife, Annie Driver. Minnie has one older sister, Kate Driver, who is a film producer and manager; one older half-sister, Susan Driver; one younger half-brother, Charlie Driver; and one younger half-brother from her mother’s second marriage, Ed Churchward
Minnie’s parents broke up when she was six years old, and she moved with her mother and sister to Barbados until she was eleven. She then returned to England and attended Bedales School in Hampshire as a boarder. She later studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and Collingham College in London. She began her career as a singer and guitarist before transitioning to acting. She made her TV debut in a 1991 commercial for Right Guard deodorant, and her film debut in Circle of Friends (1995). She went on to star in films such as Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Good Will Hunting (1997), The Phantom of the Opera (2004), and Cinderella (2021). She was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in Good Will Hunting. She also voiced Lady Eboshi in the English version of Princess Mononoke (1997), and Jane Porter in Tarzan (1999)
Minnie has also appeared in several TV shows, such as The Riches (2007-2008), About a Boy (2014-2015), Speechless (2016-2019), and Modern Love (2021). She has been nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role in The Riches. She has also released three solo albums: Everything I’ve Got in My Pocket (2004), Seastories (2007), and Ask Me to Dance (2014).
Minnie gave birth to a son, Henry Story Driver, in 2008. She has never revealed the identity of his father, but has said that he is involved in their son’s life. She is currently engaged to filmmaker Addison O’Dea, whom she met in 2019.
The Conclusion: No Relation
As you can see, Adam Driver and Minnie Driver are not related by blood or marriage. They have different backgrounds, origins, and family histories. They both have the surname Driver because it is a common occupational surname in England and Wales that derives from the Anglo-Saxon word for “one who drives a cart or wagon”. They are both talented and successful actors who have made their mark in Hollywood with their diverse and impressive roles. They are both proud of their heritage and their achievements, but they are not siblings or cousins. They are simply two drivers with different destinations.