Most people know Dennis Alan Taylor as Anya Taylor-Joy’s dad, the man she proudly brought to the Oscars. But his own story is more colourful than the ‘celebrity parent’ label suggests. Before his daughter became one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces, he was a banker and a world-champion offshore powerboat racer. Here’s what’s actually on the record.
Dennis Alan Taylor: Quick Facts
| Name | Dennis Alan Taylor |
| Known as | Father of actress Anya Taylor-Joy |
| Background | Argentine, of English and Scottish descent |
| Career | Former banker; offshore powerboat racer |
| Powerboat titles | UIM world championships in 1987 and 1988 |
| Wife | Jennifer Marina Joy, a psychologist |
| Children | Six, including Anya, the youngest |
| Status | Alive; attended the 2024 Oscars with Anya |
Who Is Dennis Alan Taylor?
Dennis Alan Taylor is Argentine, of English and Scottish descent. His father was British and his mother was Anglo-Argentine. He raised his young family in Buenos Aires before they moved to the Victoria area of London when Anya was six. His exact birth date and birthplace aren’t confirmed by reliable sources, so we’ve left them out rather than guess.
From Banking to Powerboat Racing
Taylor worked as a banker before he took up offshore powerboat racing, and he turned out to be very good at it. According to Powerboat News, he won the UIM Class 3D World Championship in 1987 and the UIM 6 Litre World Championship in 1988, along with South American titles in 1982, 1986 and 1988.
Anya brought this up on Late Night with Seth Meyers in March 2026, describing her dad as the “first South American Marlboro man” and calling him “my favourite person on the planet.” She also admitted she’d never actually been on a boat with him, and that her mum’s reaction to the old racing footage was simply: “oh no, Dennis.”
Family: Jennifer Marina Joy and Six Children
Taylor is married to Jennifer Marina Joy, a psychologist. She was born in Zambia to an English diplomat father and a mother from Barcelona. Anya’s surname combines both sides of the family.
He has six children. Four are from his first marriage, and two, including Anya, are with Jennifer. Anya is the youngest, seven years younger than her closest sibling.
The Oscars Promise
This is the story that made a lot of people search his name. When she was 12, Anya promised her father that if she were ever invited to the Oscars, she would take him. She kept that promise at the 96th Academy Awards in March 2024, sharing on Instagram: “At 12 I promised my dad that if I was ever invited to the Oscars, I would take him.”
Taylor has been just as proud in return. Speaking to Extra, he said of his daughter’s success: “The talent is there, but the hard work and the perseverance is there.”
What About His Net Worth?
You’ll find net worth figures for Dennis Alan Taylor online, but none come from a reliable source. A banking career and an expensive sport like powerboat racing suggest he did well, but his finances have never been made public, so we won’t put a number on it.
A Correction
An earlier version of this article wrongly said Dennis Alan Taylor died in 2020. That was not true, and we’ve corrected it. We’re sorry for the error.
Our Take
It’s easy to file Dennis Alan Taylor under ‘famous daughter, private dad.’ But a banker who became a two-time world champion in one of the most dangerous motorsports, and whose daughter spent years planning to take him to the Oscars, is a story in its own right. It also says a lot about where Anya’s fearlessness might come from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dennis Alan Taylor?
He is the father of actress Anya Taylor-Joy, an Argentine former banker and two-time UIM offshore powerboat world champion (1987 and 1988).
Is Dennis Alan Taylor still alive?
Yes. He attended the 2024 Academy Awards with Anya, and she spoke about him on Late Night with Seth Meyers in March 2026.
How many children does Dennis Alan Taylor have?
Six. Four are from his first marriage, and two are with his wife Jennifer Marina Joy, including Anya, the youngest.
Who is Dennis Alan Taylor’s wife?
Jennifer Marina Joy, a psychologist who was born in Zambia.
Did Anya Taylor-Joy take her dad to the Oscars?
Yes. She took him to the 96th Academy Awards in March 2024, keeping a promise she made to him when she was 12.
Sources
- People via Yahoo: All about Anya Taylor-Joy’s parents (May 2024)
- Powerboat News: Anya Taylor-Joy tells Seth Meyers her dad was a champion powerboat racer (Mar 2026)
- Wikipedia: Anya Taylor-Joy (early life)
Sources and Editorial Notes
Elivestory aims to use relevant sources, separate confirmed information from speculation and update important details when reliable new information becomes available.
Jaylin Khan
Jaylin Khan is an entertainment writer at elivestory.com who covers celebrity biographies, entertainment news, digital media and the latest pop culture trends. Drawing information from credible and trusted sources, she combines verified facts with thoughtful opinions to create engaging and informative articles for readers.
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