Actor Joe Manganiello Commemorates Armenian Genocide Anniversary With Personal Tribute
Actor shares great-grandmother's survival story as tribute to Armenian heritage and resilience
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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Actor Joe Manganiello has shared a deeply personal tribute to mark the upcoming 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, revealing his own family’s connection to one of history’s most devastating atrocities.
In a moving Instagram post featuring historical images and family photos, Manganiello detailed how his great-grandmother Terviz Darakjian survived the genocide while losing her husband and nine children during the massacres in Harput.
A Personal Connection To History
“April 24th, 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. An atrocity that wasn’t discussed publicly or taught in schools while I was growing up,” Manganiello wrote in his post. “I didn’t realize how underrepresented the Armenian story was in the modern world and how important it was for me to simply tell the truth about what happened to my ancestors.”
Preserving Cultural Memory
The “True Blood” and “Magic Mike” actor expressed how discovering his Armenian heritage has become increasingly important to him, noting that the genocide wasn’t something widely discussed during his childhood education.
“Because of her indomitable spirit, I am here 110 years later to tell her story and urge other Armenians to tell theirs so that healing can happen despite Turkish denial,” Manganiello continued, addressing the ongoing political tensions surrounding recognition of the genocide.
He concluded his message with a powerful affirmation: “Because of the survivors like my great-grandmother, the Armenian culture and bloodline will live on forever…” The post ends with the Armenian flag emoji.
This isn’t Manganiello’s first time speaking about his Armenian heritage. The actor serves on the board of directors for The Children of Armenian Fund, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to supporting Armenian causes. The Armenian Genocide, which began in 1915 during World War I, resulted in the systematic mass murder of around 1.5 million ethnic Armenians by the Ottoman Empire.
Manganiello was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a father of Italian ancestry and a mother of Armenian, Austrian, and Croatian descent. His career spans film, television, and voice acting, has been increasingly active in connecting with his cultural roots while maintaining a busy entertainment schedule.
He was recently announced as the host for the 121st Explorers Club Annual Dinner on April 26, 2025, just two days after the Armenian Genocide anniversary he referenced in his post. By speaking openly about his great-grandmother’s experience and the broader historical context, he’s using his platform to ensure these memories aren’t forgotten.
As the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaches next year, Manganiello joins other prominent Armenian-Americans who have worked to raise awareness about this chapter of history, highlighting the importance of recognition, remembrance, and cultural preservation in the face of historical denial.
Trivia
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