Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: June 20, 1928
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
Martin Landau is an American film and television actor.
Martin is the son of Selma (Buchman) and Morris Landau. His father was born in Chortkiv, Ukraine, to a Jewish family. His mother was born in New York, of Russian Jewish descent. Martin’s daughter is actress Juliet Landau.
Martin’s paternal grandparents were Nathan Landau (the son of Kalman Landau and Beile Rachel) and Rose Goldeck or Rebecca Zuckerman. Nathan was born in Horodenka. Rebecca was born in Austria.
Martin’s maternal grandparents were Jams Buchman and Bertha S.
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, United States
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
Joe Shuster was a Canadian and American comic book artist. Along with Jerry Siegel, he created the DC Comics superhero Superman (Clark Kent).
Joe was the son of Ida (Kotlarsky/Katharske) and Julius Shuster/Shusterowich. His father was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Jewish parents from the Russian Empire. His mother was born in Kiev, Ukraine, then also in the Russian Empire, to a Jewish family. His family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., around 1924.
He is related to Canadian comedian Frank Shuster.
Joe’s paternal grandparents were Jacob Isaak Schustirowitz (the son of Izaak Schustirowitz and Anna Macen) and Rosa Galoen (the daughter of Levie Galoen and Hanna Jankelevitz). Jacob was born in Sevastopol, then in the Russian Empire.
Joe’s maternal grandparents were Shimon/Simon Kotlarsky and Chissie/Chisela Rovinsky.
Place of Birth: Rochester, New York, United States
Date of Death: December 14, 2011
Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
Joe Simon was an American comic book writer, artist, editor, and publisher. Along with Jack Kirby, he created the superhero Captain America (Steve Rogers), as well as many other prominent comic book characters.
Joe was the son of Rose (Kurland) and Harry Simon. His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. His father was raised in Leeds, England.
Joe’s paternal grandparents were Hyman Samuel Simon and Etty/Etta Ruth Pollack.
Joe’s maternal grandparents were Simon Kurland and Bale Jackel.
Annie was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Marilyn Edith (Heit) and Samuel Leibovitz. Her mother grew up in New York City and has Estonian/Russian Jewish ancestry. Her father’s parents were Romanian Jews who spoke Yiddish at home.
Orson is the son of Jane Cecil Chaplin and Ilya Salkind (born Ilya Juan Salkind Dominguez), a film and television producer, who is known for producing the live-action Superman films. His mother has English, Irish, and one sixteenth Scottish, ancestry. His father was born in Mexico City, Mexico, to a Jewish father and a Mexican mother. Orson’s father, paternal grandfather, and paternal great-grandfather were all successful international film producers. He was raised partly in Florida, Switzerland, and California.
Orson’s paternal grandparents were Alexander Salkind (the son of Mikhail Salkind and Maria Gerschikov) and Berta Domínguez. Alexander was born in Danzig, Poland, to Jewish parents from Kiev, Ukraine, who flead the Russian revolution. The family lived in Leningrad, Berlin, and Paris, before fleeing to Cuba in 1939, and later Mexico. Berta was Mexican.
Orson’s maternal grandfather was actor Charlie Chaplin (born Charles Spencer Chaplin, the son of Charles Chaplin and Hannah Harriet Pedlingham Hill, both of whom were entertainers). Charlie was born in England. His documented ancestry was English and some Irish. Orson’s great-grandfather Charles was the son of Spencer Chaplin and Ellen Elizabeth Smith. Hannah was the daughter of Charles Frederick Hill and Mary Ann Terry.
Orson’s maternal grandmother was Oona O’Neill, an actress (the daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill [Eugene Gladstone O’Neill] and writer Agnes Boulton). Oona was born in Warwick Parish, Bermuda. Eugene was born in New York City, New York, the son of actor James O’Neill, who was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and of Ella O’Neill (born Mary Ellen Quinlan), who was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Irish parents, Thomas Joseph Quinlan and Bridget Lundigan. Agnes was born in London, the daughter of Edward William Boulton, an artist, who was American, of English and Scottish descent, and of Cecil Maud/Maude Williams.
Charlie is often stated to have had some degree of Romani (Gypsy) ancestry. It does not appear that this ancestral claim has ever been documented/verified. Charlie was sometimes believed to have been Jewish (especially during his lifetime), but his parents were not of Jewish heritage, although Orson is of Jewish descent through his paternal grandfather.
Sources: Genealogies of Orson Chaplin – http://www.jewage.org/wiki/en/Profile:P2100764502
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=dowfam3&id=I434611
Family history of Orson’s paternal family – http://www.americancinemapapers.com/files/SUPER_SALKINDS.htm
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-04-08/features/9001010880_1_films-ilya-salkind-quixote
Obituary of Orson’s paternal grandfather, Alexander Salkind – http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-alexander-salkind-1274937.html
Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: April 12, 1977
Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Irish, English (mother)
Jordana Spiro is an American film and television actress. Her father was from a Jewish family (from Russia, Belgium, and Germany). Her mother has Irish and English ancestry. Jordana was raised Jewish.
Jordana’s paternal grandparents were Harry Spiro (the son of Jacob Spiro and Jeannette Hirsch) and Rebecca Belle Cohen (the daughter of Issac Cohen and Belle Lakofsky). Jacob was born in Louisiana, to parents from Russia. Jeanette was also born in Louisiana, to a father from Belgium and a mother from Germany.
Jordana’s maternal grandparents are John Alvin O’Quin and Lottie Vidrine.
Source: Jordana’s paternal grandfather, Harry Spiro, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Barney Frank is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts, from January 3, 1981 to January 3, 2013.
Barney was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, the son of Elsie (Golush) and Samuel Frank.
Barney’s paternal grandparents were Polish Jews, from a small city in Northern Poland. Barney’s paternal grandmother’s name was Margaret.
Barney’s maternal grandparents were Banet “Benny” Golush and Anna. They were from a small town near Minsk, Belarus, and spoke Yiddish at home.
Bex Taylor-Klaus is an American actress. She is from a Jewish family (from Ukraine, Germany, Romania, Latvia, Russia, Poland, and Lithuania). Bex had a Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
On a number of occasions (see here, here, and here), Bex stated that she has Cuban family (or Cuban ancestry; it is ambiguous). While it is not totally clear, she may have been referring to a non-biological relationship.
Bex’s paternal grandfather was Richard M. Klaus (the son of Irving Goncer/Gonny Klaus and Ruth Mendel). Richard was born in Pensnylvania. Irving was born in New York, the son of Samuel Solomon Klaus and Mary Goncer, who were from Ostroh, Ukraine. Ruth was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Solomon Mendel, who was from Andernach, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, and of Bertha Buka, who was born in Ohio, to parents from Germany, her father from Neustadt and her mother from Laupheim.
Bex’s paternal grandmother is Barbara Ann Tuckerman (the daughter of Arthur David Tuckerman and Bernice Ruth Maimin). Arthur was born in Massachusetts, the son of Theodore Tuckerman, who was form Brăila, Romania, and of Sarah Abramson, who was from Botoșani, Moldavia, Romania. Bernice was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of David Abraham Maimin, who was born in Riga, Kreutzburg, Latvia, and of Rosa Henrietta Bernstein, who was born in Pennsylvania.
Bex’s maternal grandfather is Mark K. Taylor (the son of Herbert Taylor and Esther Kahn). Herbert was born in Georgia, the son of Charles Taylor and Mollie, who were born in Russia. Esther was also born in Georgia, the daughter of Marcus Kahn and Janice, who were from Bialystok, Poland.
Bex’s maternal grandmother is Judith Grossman (the daughter of Sidney/Sid Grossman and Sylvia Edison). Judith was born in New York. Sidney was born in Lithuania, the son of Zavel Grosman/Grossman and Golda Fichel/Fikhel. Sylvia was born in New York, the daughter of Joseph Edison and Clara, who were born in Russia.
Jenji Kohan is an American television writer and producer. She is known as the creator of the comedy-drama series Weeds and Orange Is the New Black.
Jenji was born in Los Angeles, California, to Jewish parents, Rhea (Arnold) and Alan “Buz” W. Kohan, who are both from New York City. They are pictured here and here.
Jenji’s paternal grandparents were Charles Kohan and May E. Charles was born in Romania. May was born in New York, to parents from Russia.
David Cicilline is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island, since January 3, 2011. He was previously Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011.
David is the son of Sabra (Peskin) and John Francis Cicilline. His father is of Italian descent, and Catholic. His mother is Jewish (of Russian Jewish and Latvian Jewish descent). David identifies with the Jewish religion.
David’s paternal grandfather was Giovanni/John Baptiste Cicilline (the son of Antonio Cicilline and Maria Filice Trotta). Giovanni was born in Rhode Island. Antonio was born in Italy, the son of Giuseppe Cicilline and Maria Grazia Caporusso. was born in Pontecorvo, Frosinone, Italy, the daughter of Sarefino Trotta and Giovanna Iannone.
David’s paternal grandmother was Lucia/Lucy S. Miragliuolo (the daughter of Nicola Miragliuolo and Clementina Impagliazzo). Lucia was born in Rhode Island, to Italian parents. Clementina was the daughter of Giuseppe Impagliazzo and Filomena Castaldi.
David’s maternal grandparents were Israel/Irving Peskin (the son of Mendel Gdaliya Opeskin and Mera/Miriam Weksler) and Ruchia/Ruth. Israel was the son of Avsey/Isiaah Opeskin and Minna.
Ted Deutch is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida, since April 13, 2010.
Ted is the son of Jean (Mindlin) and Bernard Deutch.
Ted’s paternal grandparents were Isaac Deutch and Esther Cohen. Isaac was born in Kvosk, Lithuania. Esther was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Russia.
Ted’s maternal grandparents were Abraham Mindlin (the son of Gila Mindlin) and Tillie Badhan/Badchan. Abraham was born in Polock, Russia. Tillie was also born in Russia.
Barry Livingston is an American actor. He is the son of Lillian Rochelle (Palyash) and Hilliard Livingston.
His father was from a Jewish family. His mother was of Croatian (Catholic) descent.
Barry’s paternal grandparents were Benjamin Nathaniel Livingston (the son of Louis Livingston and Sarah Y. Schragus) and Bertha Mogulevski (the daughter of Phillip Mogulevski and Ethel). Benjamin was born in Durham, North Carolina, to parents from Russia. Bertha was born in Russia.
Barry’s maternal grandparents were Frank Palyash (the son of George Polijash and Barbra Kambeck) and Agnes Kretchmar/Karcmar. Frank was born in Austria. Agnes was born in Yugoslavia.
Brad Sherman is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, since January 3, 1997.
Brad was the son of Lane (Moss) and Maurice Hyman Sherman.
Brad’s paternal grandparents were Raymond Sherman and Sarah Pozar. Raymond and Sarah were born in Russia.
Brad’s maternal grandparents were Nathan and Bertha Moss.
Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*French, possibly other (mother)
Roman Kolinka is a French actor. His father, Richard Kolinka, is a musician, who is a member of the band Téléphone. His mother, Marie Trintignant, was an actress.
His father is Jewish (of Ukrainian Jewish, Russian Jewish, and Romanian Jewish descent).
His maternal grandfather is of French background. His maternal grandmother is said to be the daughter of a Spanish father and an Arab mother. It is not clear if that is accurate.
Roman’s paternal grandfather is Albert Kolinka (the son of Raphaël Kolinka and Malka Feldmann). Raphaël was born in Ukraine, the son of Israël Kolinka and Ida Veïner. Malka was also born in Ukraine, the daughter of Henri Feldmann and Dora Leplkra.
Roman’s paternal grandmother is Ginette Kolinka (born Ginette Yvette Cherkasky, the daughter of Léon Youda Cherkasky). Ginette was a prisoner at Auschwitz, and survived the Holocaust, in which her father and brother were killed. Her family was from Russia and Romania.
Roman’s maternal grandfather is Jean-Louis Trintignant, a prominent actor, screenwriter, and director (Jean-Louis Xavier Trintignant, the son of Raoul Trintignant and Claire Tourtin). Raoul was an industrialist, the son of Fernand Trintignant and Marie-Louise Aimée Delaigue.
Roman’s maternal grandmother is Nadine Trintignant, a novelist, director, producer, editor, and screenwriter (born Nadine Marquand). Nadine’s siblings, Roman’s great-uncles, were Christian Marquand, a director, actor, and screenwriter, and Serge Marquand, an actor and producer.
Ilana Glazer is an American comedian, writer, and actress. She is known for her role in the sitcom Broad City on Comedy Central.
Ilana is the daughter of Sandi (Wexler) and Lawrence “Larry” Glazer. She was raised in a Reform Jewish household.
Ilana’s paternal grandparents were Sam W. Glazer (the son of Barnet Glazer and Esther Krane) and Harriet Gellis (the daughter of Hyman Gellis and Ida). Barnet was born in Russia. Esther was born in Poland. Hyman and Ida were both born in Russia.
Sources: Genealogy of Ilana Glazer (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*German, English (mother)
Tom Steyer is an American hedge fund manager, environmentalist, and philanthropist.
Tom is the son of Marnie (Fahr) and Roy Henry Steyer. His brother is Jim Steyer, an author, professor, attorney, and children’s advocate.
His father was Jewish and his mother was Episcopalian. Tom married his wife in a ceremony officiated by both a Rabbi and a Presbyterian minister. He became involved in the Episcopal church in his late 30s.
Tom’s paternal grandparents were Herman Steyer and Augusta “Gussie” Simon (the daughter of Rafael Simon and Hanna R. Kugel). Herman was an Austrian Jewish immigrant. Augusta was a Russian Jewish immigrant.
Tom’s maternal grandfather was George Edmeston Fahr (the son of Charles M. Fahr and Margaret/Maggie R./A. Edmeston/Edmuton). Charles was German. Margaret was the daughter of David R. Edmeston and Margaret J. Peak.
Tom’s maternal grandmother was Alice Hume Pearson (the daughter of George Pearson and Helen/Hellen Hester Hume). George was the son of Johnson Pearson and Sarah Jane Templeton. Helen was the daughter of Bedford Hume and Mary Charlotte “Lottie” Kidder.
Anna Nalick is an American singer and songwriter. She was born in Temple City, California, to Bonnie Jean Walker and David Laurence Nalick. The family later moved to Glendora, California.
Her paternal grandparents were Louise Thompson and Lester (Lieb) Nalick. Lester was born in Kiev, Ukraine, to Cecilia (Sema) Chernetsky and Henry (Herschel) Nalick, who were Russian Jews. They moved to New York City with their three sons between 1904-1906.
Her maternal grandparents were Ruth Eloise Wilson and Richard E. “Dick” Walker.
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States (likely)
Date of Birth: November 1998
Ethnicity: Irish, Ashkenazi Jewish, possibly other
Flynn McGarry is an American chef.
On his mother’s side, Flynn is the grandson of Larry Daniels (born Harry Nahamkin, the son of Jacob Nahamkin and Rose Danzig) and Peggy. Larry was a comedian, who was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. Peggy worked as an NBC associate director and producer.
Sources: Flynn’s maternal grandfather, Larry Daniels (then Harry Nahamkin), on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Ayn Rand was a Russian and American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter.
Ayn was born in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire, the daughter of Khana/Anna Berkovna/Borisovna (Kaplan) and Zelman/Zinovy Wolf Zakharovich Rosenbaum. Her family was Jewish. Her father was born in Brest-Litovsk, Belarus. Her mother was born in St. Petersburg.
She moved to New York City, New York, U.S., in 1926. She became a U.S. citizen in 1931.
Ayn’s maternal grandparents were Berko Itskovitch Kaplan and Rozalia Pavlovna.
