Family Tree Tuesday – Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara

Patricia Rooney Mara is an American film and television actress. She has starred in the remake of the 1984 horror film, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Social Network and the 2011 version of the film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her performance in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

She serves as the president of the board of directors for the charity Uweza Foundation, which supports empowerment programs for children and families in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, one of the largest slums in Africa.

Kate Mara

Mara was born in Bedford, NY on April 17, 1985 to Timothy Christopher Mara and Kathleen McNulty Rooney. Her older sister is actress Kate Mara. Timothy Mara is vice president of player evaluation for the New York Giants. His father Wellington Mara was the long-time co-owner of the Giants and his brother John Mara is the current president, CEO, and co-owner of the New York Giants.

Rooney Mara’s maternal grandfather, Timothy James Rooney, has run Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, NY since 1972. Mara is the great-granddaughter of both New York Giants founder Tim Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Sr. Her great-uncle, Dan Rooney, is chairman of the Steelers, the United States Ambassador to Ireland, and the co-founder of The Ireland Funds charitable organization.

Tim Mara, Wellington Mara, Art Rooney, Sr. and Dan Rooney are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Tim Mara

Art Rooney, Sr.

Wellington Mara

Rooney Mara’s first cousins once removed are Patrick Rooney, Jr. who is a Republican Florida House of Representative in District 83 and Tom Rooney, Republican U.S. Representative for Florida’s 16th congressional district.

Did you know Mara dropped her first name, Patricia, as she never really liked it? She thought her middle name, Rooney, was more memorable.

Check out Rooney Mara’s family tree!