Birth Name: Joel David Coen – Ethan Jesse Coen

Place of Birth: St. Louis Park, Minnesota, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 29, 1954 (Joel) – September 21, 1957 (Ethan)

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, known informally as the Coen brothers, are Academy Award-winning American film directors/screenwriters, known for Fargo (1996), The Big Lebowski (1998) and No Country for Old Men (2007).

They were born to Rena (née Neumann) and Edward Coen. Joel has been married to actress Frances McDormand since 1984.

Their parents were both Jewish. Their maternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants.

The Coen Brothers’ paternal grandparents were Victor Coen and Mariam.

The Coen Brothers’ maternal grandparents were Joshine Neumann and Tomar.

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Birth Name: Adam Spiegel

Place of Birth: Rockville, Maryland, United States

Date of Birth: October 22, 1969

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*German, Scottish, English (mother)

Spike Jonze is an American director. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards.

He grew up in Bethesda, Maryland and in Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania. Spike’s father, Arthur H. Spiegel III, who is of German Jewish and Russian Jewish ancestry, had a distant relation with the Spiegel catalog family, and founded APM Management Consultants. Spike’s mother, Sandra L. Granzow, has German, Scottish, and English (Christian) ancestry.

Jonze was married to director Sofia Coppola.

Spike’s paternal grandparents were Arthur Henry Spiegel II (the son of Arthur Henry Spiegel and Mae Oberfelder) and Eleanor Friedman.

Spike’s maternal grandparents were Henry Walter Granzow (the son of Wilhelm Ferdinand Rudolf Granzow and Ida Auguste Schwolow) and Nina Lee Cunningham (the daughter of William J. Cunningham and Eleanor).

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Birth Name: Terry Edward Branstad

Place of Birth: Leland, Iowa

Date of Birth: November 17, 1946

Ethnicity:
*Norwegian (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Terry Branstad is an American politician. A Republican, he is the Governor of Iowa (he served as Governor from 1983 to 1999, and began serving as Governor again in 2011). He is the longest-serving Governor in Iowa history. If he remains Governor until the end of 2015, he would become the longest-serving Governor of any state in U.S. history.

Terry’s mother, Rita L. (Garland), was the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants. Terry’s father, Edward Arnold Branstad, was from a Lutheran Norwegian-American family. Terry was raised Lutheran, and later converted to Catholicism (his wife’s religion).

Terry’s paternal grandparents were Helmer David Branstad (the son of Andrew Endre/Endresen Branstad and Ingeborg G. Nerli) and Hazel Rosella Peterson (the daughter of Edward Michael Peterson and Helena “Lena” M. Halverson). Andrew and Ingeborg were both Norwegian. Edward was born in Iowa, to Norwegian parents, Mikkel Peterson and Anna Nikoline Theadora Dorthea Olson Faa. Helena was also born in Iowa, also of Norwegian descent.

Terry’s maternal grandparents were Louis Edward Garland and Gertrude “Trudy” K. Goldstein (the daughter of Harry Goldstein and Jennie). Louis and Gertrude were Russian Jewish immigrants.

Sources: Obituary of Terry’s father – http://www.findagrave.com

Obituary of Terry’s mother – http://www.findagrave.com

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Birth Name: Wesley Kanne

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Date of Birth: December 23, 1944

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*English (mother)

Wesley Clark is an American retired General of the United States Army. His the son of Veneta (Updergraff) and Benjamin Jacob Kanne. His father was of Russian Jewish descent. His mother had English ancestry.

Wesley’s father died when he was three, and Wesley took the surname of his stepfather, Viktor Clark, becoming legally known as Wesley Kanne Clark. Wesley was raised Southern Baptist, and later converted to Catholicism, his wife’s religion. Wesley did not know that his birth father was Jewish until he was in his 20s.

Wesley’s paternal grandparents were Jacob Kanne (the son of Meyer Kanne and Malka Friedman) and Ida Goldman (the daughter of Meyer Goldman and Rose). Jacob and Ida were Russian Jewish immigrants.

Wesley’s maternal grandparents were Robert S. Updegraff (the son of Harrison Augustus Updegraff and Catherine A.) and Elsie Nora Reynolds (the daughter of Thomas Wesley Reynolds and Mary Emma Upshaw).

Source: Genealogy of Wesley Clark – http://www.wargs.com

Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 26, 1939

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Mark Margolis is an American actor. His father was a Polish Jewish immigrant and his mother was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

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Birth Name: Lawrence Gene David

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York

Date of Birth: July 2, 1947

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Larry David is an American comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer.

His parents are both Jewish. On his father’s side, his family came from Germany to the United States, with some of his ancestors having immigrated before the 1850s.

Larry’s paternal grandfather was Frederick Gebhard David (the son of Julius David and Henrietta Bernstein). Julius was born in Aachen, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Henrietta was also born in Germany, to Henry Bernstein, from Willanzheim, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, and Bertha Pauline Heidelberger, from Binkosher, Baden, Bavaria.

Larry’s paternal grandmother was Carrie H. Levy (the daughter of Gabriel Levy and Mary Lee Zacharias). Gabriel was the son of Philip Levy, who was from Prussia, and Bertha Mena Solomon. Mary’s parents, Ellias Z. Zacharias and Paulina Sperling, were from Prussia.

Source: Genealogy of Larry David (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.geni.com

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Place of Birth: Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois

Date of Birth: November 2, 1973

Ethnicity:
*Mexican/Spanish-Mexican (mother)
*likely Ashkenazi Jewish (father)

Marisol Nichols is an American actress.

Marisol was raised by her mother, Maria, who is a Texan of Mexican/Spanish-Mexican descent.

At one point, Marisol stated that she has never met her biological father.

Marisol’s biological father is believed to be a man named Robert Falkenhof. Robert is Jewish (from a family from Germany, Hungary, and Romania).

Marisol’s paternal grandparents are likely Elmer Wallace Falkenhof (the son of Solomon/Sol Falkenhof and Nellie Rosenberg) and Rose Fried (the daughter of Daniel or Jack Fried and Irene Israel). Solomon was born in Germany. Irene was born in Michigan, to parents from Hungary. Daniel was born in Hungary. Irene was born in Romania.

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Birth Name: Martin Henry Balsam

Date of Birth: November 4, 1919

Place of Birth: Bronx, New York City, New York

Date of Death: February 13, 1996

Place of Death: Romy, Italy

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Martin Balsam was an American actor. His father was a Russian Jewish immigrant. His mother was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Martin’s daughter, with actress Joyce Van Patten, is actress Talia Balsam. Talia is married to actor John Slattery.

Martin’s paternal grandparents were Max Balsam and Rosie/Ruth Wortzman.

Martin’s maternal grandparents were Soloman Weinstein and Rose.

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Birth Name: Peter Winkler Berg

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA

Date of Birth: 11 March 1964

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*unknown (mother)

Peter Berg is an American actor, film director, producer, and writer.

Berg’s father was Jewish and his mother Christian. He is a cousin of writer H. G. Bissinger (who is Jewish).

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Birth Name: Mandel Bruce Patinkin

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Date of Birth: November 30, 1952

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Mandy Patinkin is an American actor. His parents were both Jewish (their families were from Russia and Latvia).

Mandy’s paternal grandparents were Max Patinkin and Celia Pinkovitz/Pirekovitch (the daughter of Moishe/Morris Elie Pinkowitz and Dena/Dinah Rivka Patinka). Max and Celia were born in Russia.

Mandy’s maternal grandparents were Fred E. Sinton (the son of ? Sinton and ? Schwartz) and Ida B. Fred was born in Illinois, to parents from Russia. Ida was born in Latvia.

Sources: Mandy’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Mandy’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Jordan Elizabeth Ladd

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Date of Birth: January 14, 1975

Ethnicity: English, Ashkenazi Jewish, German, remote Irish

Jordan Ladd is an American actress. She is the daughter of actor/producer David Ladd (David Alan Ladd) and actress Cheryl Ladd (born Cheryl Jean Stoppelmoor), and the granddaughter of actors Alan Ladd and Sue Carol.

Jordan’s paternal grandfather was Alan Ladd, an actor (Alan Walbridge Ladd, the son of Alan Harwood Ladd and Selina Ina Rowley, who was known as Ina Raleigh). Jordan’s great-grandfather Alan had English, and remote Irish, ancestry. Selina was English, from County Durham.

Jordan’s paternal grandmother was Sue Carol, an actress and talent agent (born Evelyn Jean Lederer, the daughter of Samuel Lederer and Caroline Schmidt). Samuel was a Jewish immigrant from Bohemia. Caroline was a German Jew.

Jordan’s maternal grandparents were Marion Wayne Stopplemore (the son of Otto Aeilt Stopplemore and Irene Leona Day) and Dolores Helen Katz (the daughter of Ira Alvernard Katz and Vera O. Cook).

Source: Genealogy of Jordan Ladd – http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Place of Birth: Eastport, Long Island, New York

Date of Birth: May 26, 1983

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, possibly other

Scott Disick is an American man and television personality.

He once said regarding being Jewish…

“I feel a little uncomfortable. I don’t speak Hebrew; I can’t read Hebrew; I don’t really even know what prayer we’re on. But, being in temple feels great, it really does. . . . Maybe I’m gonna start going to temple more”

He’s a reality TV star and most known for being on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and being Kourtney Kardashian’s significant other.

Scott’s maternal grandmother’s name was Regina.

Source: http://hollowverse.com/scott-disick/ http://jewishornot.blogspot.com/2011/12/is-scott-disick-jewish.html

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Birth Name: Helen Rachel Slater

Place of Birth: Bethpage, New York

Date of Birth: December 15, 1963

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Helen Slater is an American actress. Her parents are both Jewish. Her father’s family’s surname was originally “Schlachter”.

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Birth Name: Noah Strausser Speer Wyle

Place of Birth: Hollywood, California

Date of Birth: June 4, 1971

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*possibly German (mother)

Noah Wyle is an American actor.

Noah’s paternal grandparents were Frank Strausser Wyle (the son of Clarence H. Wyle and Frances Strausser) and Edith Natalie Robinson (the daughter of Louis Robinson and Rose Rubin).

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Place of Birth: New York City, New York

Date of Birth: February 13, 1946

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Richard Blumenthal is an American politician. A Democrat, he has served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut since 2011.

His father was a Jewish immigrant from Frankfurt, Germany. His mother was born in Omaha, Nebraska, of German Jewish descent.

Richard’s paternal grandparents were Julius Yechiel Blumenthal and Selma Grünebaum (the daughter of Nathan Grünebaum and Hanschen Haas). Julius was born in Kirchbracht, Germany. Selma was born in Brückenau, Bavaria, Germany.

Richard’s maternal grandparents were Frederick Louis Rosenstock (the son of Elias Rosenstock and Bertha Marx) and Florence Mock (the daughter of Charles/Solomon Mock and Lillie Gold). Frederick was born in Hochhausen, Baden, Germany. Charles was born in Wisconsin, to parents from Germany. Florence was born in Wisconsin. Lillie was born in West Virginia, to Louis Goldner/Gold and Herietta Freidenreich, whose families were also from Germany.

Sources: Genealogies of Richard Blumenthal – http://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Richard Blumenthal – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Birth Name: Michael Farrand Bennet

Place of Birth: New Delhi, India

Date of Birth: November 28, 1964

Ethnicity:
*English, small amount of German (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Michael Bennet is an American politician. A Democrat, he has been a U.S. Senator from Colorado since 2009.

Michael was born in New Delhi, India, to American parents, Susanne Christine (Klejman) and Douglas J. Bennet (Douglas Joseph Bennet), a college official. At the time of Michael’s birth, his father was serving as an aide to the U.S. Ambassador to India, Chester Bowles.

Michael’s father is of English, and a small amount of German, descent, with Mayflower ancestry. Michael’s mother, who was born in Poland and survived the Holocaust, is the daughter of Polish Jewish parents. Michael was raised around both Christian and Jewish faiths.

Michael’s paternal grandparents were Douglas Joseph Bennet (the son of Walter Hughes Bennet and Grace Agatha) and Phoebe Benedict (the daughter of Farrand Northrop Benedict and Helen Bulkley Bullard).

Michael’s maternal grandparents were John Jacob Klejman and Halina.

Source: Genealogy of Michael Bennet – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Place of Birth: Portland, Oregon

Date of Birth: September 12, 1995

Ethnicity:
*Japanese (father)
*Swedish, English, German (maternal grandfather)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (maternal grandmother)

Ryan Potter is an American actor, known for playing Mike Fukanaga on the series Supah Ninjas and for voicing the lead character in the film Big Hero 6.

Ryan’s father is Japanese, and Ryan speaks Japanese. Ryan spent most of his early childhood in Japan, and returned to the United States when he was seven, where he was raised by his single mother, who is from California.

Ryan’s maternal grandfather has Swedish, English, and German ancestry. Ryan’s maternal grandmother was Jewish (of Ukrainian Jewish and Russian Jewish descent), and Ryan has described himself as Jewish.

Ryan’s maternal grandfather is Kenneth Lee Potter (the son of Dwight W. Potter and Frances May Graham). Dwight was the son of Fred Ira Potter and Swedish-born Agda/Olga C. Lindgren. Frances was the daughter of Arthur F. Graham and Evelyn M. Brubaker.

Ryan’s maternal grandmother was Elaine R. Cray (the daughter of Max/Morris Cray, originally Krakowsky, and of Sarah Cecilia Negin). Elaine’s brother is author Edward “Ed” Beryl Cray. Max was born in Montreal, Canada, to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Josef Jacob Mayer Yosl Krakowsky/Krakosky and Clare Haya Ida Weisberg. Ryan’s matrilineal great-grandmother Sarah Negin was born in Ohio, to Russian Jewish parents, Samuel Negin and Yetta Schwartz (whose own mother was Sarah Medvonsky).

Sources: Ryan’s maternal great-grandfather, Dwight W. Potter, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Ryan’s maternal great-grandmother, Frances May Graham, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Ryan’s maternal great-grandmother, Sarah Cecilia Negin, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: John Howard Tory

Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Date of Birth: May 28, 1954

Ethnicity: English, Scottish, Ashkenazi Jewish (maternal grandmother)

John Tory is a Canadian politician. He will soon begin serving as Mayor of Toronto. He is the son of Elizabeth (Bacon) and John A. Tory (John Arnold Tory), who was a lawyer and business executive.

John is a member of the United Church of Canada. John’s maternal grandmother was Jewish, something that was not publicly known until 2014. His other ancestry is English, with some Scottish.

John’s paternal grandparents were John Stewart Donald Tory (the son of John Alexander Tory, a lawyer who founded the law firm Torys, and of Abigail Georgina Buckley) and Kathreen Jean Arnold (the daughter of Ernest Franklin Arnold and Kathleen Mary Davidson).

John’s maternal grandparents were Howard Edward Bacon (the son of William Henry Bacon and Irena Mary Pethick) and Helen Yvonne Solomon (the daughter of Norman/Nathan Solomon and Kate Greben). Helen’s parents were Russian Jews.

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Birth Name: Max Henry Wolf Burkholder

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California

Date of Birth: November 1, 1997

Ethnicity:
*German, English (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Max Burkholder is an American actor.

His father has German and English ancestry. His mother is Jewish. Max was raised Jewish and had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

Max’s paternal grandparents are James R. Burkholder (the son of Raymond W. Burkholder and Helen E.) and Rachel Baldwin Brent (the daughter of John Ford Brent and Esther Baldwin).

Max’s maternal grandparents are Rodney Wolf and Brenda Cook (the daughter of Ike Cook and Sadie Brown). Ike was the son of Joseph Cook (whose family surname was originally “Koch”) and Amelia Gleitzman.

Source: Genealogy of Max’s mother (focusing on her own mother’s side) – http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com

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Birth Name: Harry Bauer Rodrigues

Place of Birth: West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Date of Birth: April 30, 1989

Ethnicity:
*Portuguese (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Baauer is an American music producer, known for his song Harlem Shake.

His father, Mark Rodrigues, has Portuguese ancestry. His mother, Celia (Neiman), is Jewish.

Baauer’s paternal grandparents are Vasco L. Rodrigues (the son of Alvaro Rodrigues and Maria) and Mary. Vasco was born in Portugal.

Baauer’s maternal grandparents are Peter Neiman (the son of Harry Neiman and Viola) and Barbara Schwartz. Harry’s father was from Austria, as was Viola’s father.

Sources: Baauer’s paternal grandfather, Vasco L. Rodrigues, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Baauer’s maternal grandfather, Peter Neiman, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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