Rashida Jones' Ethnicity: Her Parents are Famous African-American & Jewish Artists

Rashida Jones' ethnicity remains a subject of interest among viewers due to the actress's portrayal of racially ambiguous characters. Born to an interracial couple in the mid-70s, her family history runs deep.

Rashida Jones is an actress well-known for her comic roles in the beloved shows "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation." When she played Karen in "The Office," there was a running joke about her ethnic roots throughout much of the series.

During her role as Ann in "Parks and Recreation," her character's racial identity also raises a question mark and is not addressed until much later in the show. It was a family affair for the actress when the creators finally did, as they recruited her parents.

Rashida was born to Quincy Jones, a renowned African-American musician, and Jewish longtime actress Peggy Lipton. Rashida's parents grew up in starkly different environments, but what they had in common was their drive to go after what they wanted.

They were born into racial groups with a history of oppression; Rashida and Quincy went on to learn more about their ancestral roots, though separately. Both of their experiences were emotionally significant.

Rashida's Parents Divorced When She Was Ten

Rashida's parents married in 1974. As one of the few interracial couples of the time, who were also public figures, they were subjected to much scrutiny. Quincy and Peggy divorced in 1986, but their relationship still aroused criticism years later.

During a 1993 interview, Tupac Shakur blasted Rashida's father for marrying a white woman. Rashida didn't take well to the late rapper's words, and she penned an indignant letter to the publication that interviewed him.

As an adult, she remembered the incident with a bit of embarrassment. "Oh God, I can be self-righteous to a fault, but I think it says a lot about my parents that I felt able to speak up like that, you know," she reflected.

Rashida's Mother Was Born to a Family of Holocaust Survivors

In late 2012, Rashida appeared on the genealogy show "Who Do You Think You Are?" to explore her maternal roots. The TV star dug as far as six generations and learned of her great, great grandfather, Benjamin Benson.

Benjamin was born in Riga, Latvia. His father left Latvia to avoid serving 25 years of mandatory military service; however, the relatives that remained in the country were unfortunate victims of the Holocaust.

Luckily, Benjamin survived and found his way to England, though it's unclear how long he stayed. And while discovering her ancestors' tragic fate moved Rashida to tears, it also deepened her appreciation for her existence, as she said:

"I'm lucky to be alive. There's so many ways I could not be here, being a descendant of slaves (on her father's side) and now on my mum's side now, knowing, looking at that lopsided family tree… I feel like a miracle."

Rashida also learned about her grandmother, Rita Rosenberg, who relocated from Dublin, Ireland, to New York in 1926. The details of Rita's life are unknown, but she gave birth to a daughter, Rashida's mother, Peggy.

Peggy grew up affluently in Lawrence, Long Island. Her father was a successful lawyer who helped jumpstart her career in entertainment. At 16, she began modeling but soon abandoned the profession for acting.

"I hated modeling, but I hated that 'in' kind of suburban life even more. I wanted to change my life, and I did. I met some very interesting people," Peggy said during a 1972 interview. Shortly after her family moved to California, she left home and lived as a hippie before committing to acting full-time.

Rashida's Father Is of Welsh Descent

Quincy had been doing music for decades, having worked with Michael Jackson, Louis Armstrong, the late Ray Charles, and Ella Fitzgerald, among many others, when he discovered his father was half-Welsh in 2009.

He shared this information during a visit to the Royal College of Music and Drama that year in July. Although learning of his roots was a "very special occasion" for the longtime producer, his upbringing was riddled with poverty and heartbreak.

He was about five years old when his mother was sent to a mental institution. It was a traumatic memory that resurfaced when he visited his old home for his documentary. Quincy recalled watching four men force his mother into a straightjacket and place her in an ambulance.

His only remaining guardian was his father, a carpenter who worked diligently to provide for his kids. He found a new partner who became Quincy's stepmother. Quincy said she made his and his siblings' lives difficult. All he wanted was to leave home, and he found a way through music.