Did you know Anya Taylor-Joy’s dad used to be a powerboat racing champion? That might come as a surprise to many fans who only know her from shows like The Queen’s Gambit or movies like The Menu and Furiosa. But behind her success is a man named Dennis Alan Taylor — a proud father with a very interesting life of his own.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Dennis Alan Taylor, Anya Taylor-Joy’s father. We’ll talk about where he comes from, his work life, his racing days, his family, and the special bond he shares with his famous daughter. Let’s start from the beginning.
Dennis Alan Taylor Quick Bio
| Full Name | Dennis Alan Taylor |
| Known As | Anya Taylor-Joy’s Father |
| Date of Birth | February 1940 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 86 years old |
| Place of Birth | Zambia |
| Nationality | British-Argentinian |
| Ethnicity | Scottish, Argentinian, English |
| Parents | Alfred Royal Taylor & Violet Forrest |
| Sibling | Juan Taylor |
| Raised In | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Profession | Former banker, powerboat racer |
| Honors | MBE (1982), OBE (1998) |
| Spouse | Jennifer Marina Joy-Marancho |
| Ex-Wife | Name not known |
| Children | 6 children (including Anya Taylor-Joy) |
| Lives In | Private, possibly UK or Argentina |
| Famous For | Supporting Anya’s acting dreams |
| Public Appearances | Oscars 2024, “The Witch” premiere |
| Personality | Private, supportive, humble |
Who Is Dennis Alan Taylor?
Dennis Alan Taylor is best known today as Anya Taylor-Joy’s father, but he’s had quite an eventful life even before his daughter became a star. He is a British-Argentinian former banker who also became a champion powerboat racer.
He’s a very private person and doesn’t often speak in public. But even with little public attention, Dennis has made a big impact in his daughter’s life — and has a unique story of his own to tell.
Dennis Alan Taylor’s Early Life and Background
Dennis was born in February 1940 in Zambia. He later moved and grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His family roots are mixed — his father, Alfred Royal Taylor, had English and Scottish ancestry, and his mother, Violet Mary Forrest, was also part Scottish.
He wasn’t the only child. Dennis grew up with at least one sibling, a brother named Juan Taylor. Together, they were raised in Argentina, where Dennis would spend much of his early life.
Even though Dennis was born in Africa and raised in South America, he always had strong ties to British culture. These mixed roots helped shape the man he became.
Dennis Alan Taylor’s Career Before Fame
Before anyone knew him as Anya Taylor-Joy’s dad, Dennis worked in international banking. He had a long and successful career, helping build trade between Britain and Argentina.
His work didn’t go unnoticed. In 1982, Dennis was honored with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his service to the British community in Buenos Aires. Then, in 1998, he received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his support of British trade.
These are high honors and show how respected he was in his field. But Dennis didn’t stop there. His life was about to take a very different turn.
From Banking to Powerboat Racing
After banking, Dennis Alan Taylor found a new passion — powerboat racing. And not just for fun. He actually became a world champion.
Dennis won two offshore world championships in the late 1980s:
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First in 1987 in Catalonia, Italy
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Then in 1988 in Messina, Italy
He also won South American championships in 1982, 1986, and 1988. He was known in the racing world as fast, brave, and very skilled. Fellow racers remember him as a true gentleman and a tough competitor.
Isn’t it amazing that a former banker could go on to win races at such a high level? That’s just the kind of person Dennis is — focused, determined, and full of surprises.
Dennis Alan Taylor’s Marriage and Family Life
Dennis has been married twice. He has six children in total — four from his first marriage, and two from his second. His second wife is Jennifer Marina Joy-Marancho, a warm and artistic woman who works as a psychologist.
Together, Dennis and Jennifer have two children — and the youngest of them is Anya Taylor-Joy, born on April 16, 1996.
Anya once said that since her siblings were so much older, she often felt like an only child. That helped her grow up fast. Her parents raised her with trust and freedom, and that helped shape her confidence.
Meet Anya Taylor-Joy’s Mother
Anya’s mother, Jennifer Joy, is just as important in her story. She has a rich background too — she’s of African-Spanish-English heritage and has a loving, free-spirited personality. Anya describes her mom as a “beautiful, warm-hearted hippie” with a lot of kindness.
Jennifer worked as a trained psychologist and was always there to support Anya — especially when times were tough. She gave her daughter advice that went beyond looks or popularity. Jennifer taught Anya to focus on people’s hearts, not their appearance or status.
That kind of emotional strength helped Anya stay true to herself — even during hard moments at school or in the early days of her career.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Childhood with Her Father
Anya was born in Miami, Florida — but only by chance. Her parents were on vacation at the time. Soon after, the family moved to Argentina, where Anya spent the first six years of her life.
She grew up surrounded by Spanish language, dance, and culture. But things changed when her parents decided to move the family to London due to political unrest in Argentina. It was a hard move for little Anya. She missed Argentina deeply and even refused to speak English for two whole years, hoping her parents would take her back.
But Dennis and Jennifer stood by their choice. They wanted a safer future for their kids, and in time, Anya came to appreciate the opportunity they gave her.
Why Dennis Alan Taylor Let Anya Follow Her Dreams
When Anya Taylor-Joy was just 16 years old, she made a bold decision — she wanted to leave school and become an actress. Most parents might say no, but not Dennis Alan Taylor.
Anya didn’t just ask them. She wrote a letter, explaining why she believed leaving school was the right step. She shared her dreams and promised to work hard. Dennis and his wife Jennifer read the letter and said, “Go for it.”
Why did they say yes so easily? Anya once said in an interview, “My parents were tired! They’d already raised five children.” But the truth is, Dennis Alan Taylor trusted his daughter. He raised her to believe in herself, and when the time came, he let her chase what she loved.
Public Appearances with Anya Taylor-Joy
Even though Dennis Alan Taylor likes to stay out of the spotlight, he has stepped out for special moments with Anya.
One of those moments was in 2024, when Anya took him as her Oscars date. She had promised him at age 12, “If I ever go to the Oscars, I’ll take you with me.” And she kept that promise.
They walked the red carpet together, smiling and holding hands. Reporters asked Dennis if he was proud of his daughter. His answer was simple and sweet: “She’s put so much hard work into her career. The talent is there, but it’s the hard work and the perseverance that matter.”
After the show, Anya posted a picture of them and wrote in Spanish, “Llena de gratitud” — which means “filled with gratitude.” It was a beautiful moment between father and daughter.
Dennis Alan Taylor’s Quiet and Private Lifestyle
Dennis Alan Taylor is not like many parents of famous stars. He doesn’t chase fame. He doesn’t post on social media. He lives a very private life.
Over the years, Dennis has lived in Argentina, London, and maybe even in Blackburn, though that’s not confirmed. What we do know is that he values his peace and stays close to his family.
While Anya is shining on screens around the world, Dennis enjoys a quiet life in the background. But that doesn’t mean he’s not involved. He’s always there to support her — just not in a loud way.
What Is Dennis Alan Taylor’s Net Worth?
There’s no official number for Dennis Alan Taylor’s net worth. He made a good living as an international banker and later gained respect in the racing world. On top of that, he earned two major honors — MBE and OBE — for his work in business and the community.
Though we don’t know his exact wealth, we do know his daughter Anya Taylor-Joy is doing well. As of 2026, her estimated net worth is around $7 million, thanks to her hit roles in movies and TV shows.
Still, Dennis has never shown off money or success. His biggest joy seems to be his family.
Why Dennis Alan Taylor Matters in Anya’s Story
Behind every star, there’s someone who believed in them early on. For Anya Taylor-Joy, that person is Dennis Alan Taylor.
He let her follow her heart, even when it meant leaving school. He raised her to be brave, honest, and true to herself. He stood by her during the hard times, like when she was bullied at school. And he cheered her on when the world started to notice her talent.
In interviews, Anya often talks about how her parents never treated her like a child. That gave her confidence. That made her strong. And that’s a big part of why she shines today.
Final Thoughts
Dennis Alan Taylor may not be a movie star, but his story is just as inspiring. From banking to racing, from Argentina to the Oscars, he’s lived a full and fascinating life.
Most of all, he’s shown what it means to be a loving and supportive father. Anya Taylor-Joy’s success didn’t happen overnight. It took talent, hard work — and the quiet strength of a dad who believed in her from the very start.
Whether you know him as a racer, a banker, or simply Anya Taylor-Joy’s father, Dennis Alan Taylor is someone worth remembering.
You may also read: Meet Joel Smollett: Jussie Smollett’s Father Who Raised Six Talented Kids
