You may know Danny Elfman as the composer of iconic film scores such as Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. You may also know Jenna Elfman as the actress who starred in the sitcom Dharma & Greg, and more recently, in Fear the Walking Dead. But do you know if they are related?
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The Short Answer
Danny Elfman and Jenna Elfman are related through marriage. Jenna Elfman is married to Bodhi Elfman, who is the son of Richard Elfman and the nephew of Danny Elfman. Therefore, Danny Elfman is Jenna Elfman’s uncle-in-law.
The Long Answer
To understand how Danny and Jenna are connected, we need to go back to their family histories.
Danny Elfman’s Family
Danny Elfman was born on May 29, 1953, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of Blossom and Milton Elfman, who were both teachers. He has a brother named Richard Elfman, who is also a musician, actor, and filmmaker.
Danny Elfman started his musical career as the lead singer and songwriter of the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the 1970s and 1980s. He later transitioned to film composing, collaborating with directors such as Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, and Gus Van Sant. He has composed over 100 film scores, earning four Oscar nominations and a Grammy award.
Danny Elfman married actress Bridget Fonda in 2003. They have a son named Oliver Elfman, who was born in 2005.
Jenna Elfman’s Family
Jenna Elfman was born on September 30, 1971, in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of Sue and Richard Butala, who were both homemaker. She has a paternal uncle named Tony Butala, who is the lead singer of the vocal group The Lettermen.
Jenna Elfman started her acting career as a dancer, appearing in music videos for artists such as Depeche Mode, Anthrax, and Chris Isaak. She later landed roles in films such as Grosse Pointe Blank, Dr. Dolittle, and Keeping the Faith. She rose to fame as the star of the sitcom Dharma & Greg, for which she won a Golden Globe award and received three Emmy nominations.
Jenna Elfman married actor Bodhi Elfman in 1995. They have two sons named Story Elias Elfman, who was born in 2007, and Easton Quinn Monroe Elfman, who was born in 2010.
The Connection
Bodhi Elfman is the son of Richard Elfman and Rhonda Joy Saboff. Richard Elfman is the brother of Danny Elfman. Therefore, Bodhi is Danny’s nephew.
Bodhi met Jenna at an audition for a Sprite commercial in 1991. They fell in love and got married four years later. They have been together ever since.
Jenna and Bodhi are both Scientologists. They have appeared in several films and TV shows together, such as Krippendorf’s Tribe, EDtv, Friends with Benefits, and Fear the Walking Dead.
Jenna and Danny have also worked together on some projects. Danny composed the music for some of Jenna’s films, such as Town & Country and Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Jenna also sang a duet with Danny on his album The Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box.
The Conclusion
So there you have it. Danny Elfman and Jenna Elfman are not blood relatives, but they are family by marriage. They share a common passion for music and acting, and they have supported each other’s careers over the years.
