Big Jay Oakerson – The 10th Annual Rock On The Range – Day 3 – Mapfre Stadium – Columbus, OH, USA – Keywords: comedy Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: Daniel Locke / PR Photos
Birth Name: James M. Oakerson
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Birth: December 7, 1977
Ethnicity:
*possibly Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Italian [including Sicilian] (mother)
Big Jay Oakerson is an American stand-up comedian, radio show host, podcaster, and actor.
Big Jay is the son of Diane L. (Tortora) and Gary J. Oakerson. Big Jay’s mother has Italian (including Sicilian) roots. Big Jay has stated that he is Jewish.
Big Jay’s maternal grandfather was James Bruno Tortora (the son of Salvatore Torota and Sara D’Imico). James was born in Cepagatti, province of Pescara, Abruzzo region, Italy.
Big Jay’s maternal grandmother was Carmella M. Riccardi/Ricciardi (the daughter of Constantino/Constantine Ricciardi and Mary). Constantino was born in Piraino, Messina, Sicily, Italy. Mary was also Italian.
Sources: Marriage record of Big Jay’s parents – http://marriage-divorce-records.mooseroots.com
Obituary of Big Jay’s maternal grandfather – http://www.legacy.com
Big Jay’s maternal grandmother on the 1930 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Big Jay’s maternal great-grandfather, Constantino Riccardi/Ricciardi – http://www.ancestry.com