Jewish actors in hollywood

Hollywood has boasted a strong Jewish presence since its earliest days, due to the mass migration of European Jewry to America during the early twentieth century.

By the 1930s, six out of eight major Hollywood studios were owned and managed by Jews, and although many were secular and had distanced themselves from religious lifestyles, they still were often unashamedly Jewish.

Jewish Hollywood in the twentieth century has been described as being very socially Jewish, if not culturally. Jewish people in Hollywood often formed their own social circles, separate from the wider groups of colleagues and associates.

Some of the most notable Hollywood Jews from the last century include Marilyn Monroe, Lenny Bruce, and Groucho Marx.

Today, Hollywood has as strong a Jewish presence as ever, with many Jews who even speak openly about their Jewish identities, such as Beanie Feldstein, Ben Platt, and Mayim Bialik.

The loud, the quiet, and the hateful: Inside Hollywood's war over Israel

As Hollywood turns on Israel, some stars speak up, while claims of a pro-Israel blacklist collide with reality

SEPTEMBER 28, 2026|ByHANNAH BROWN

Lawrence Bender, pictured here with Israeli actress Rotem Sela, producer of ‘Red Alert,’ is among other Hollywood figures involved with The Brigade, a group formed by Jewish entertainment figures and allies, who have challenged antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment within the industry.

Actor Lizzy Caplan appears on an episode of PBS' "Finding Your Roots."

Jewish actor Lizzy Caplan discovers her family's unknown Holocaust story in 'Finding Your Roots'

In Tuesday’s episode of the PBS celebrity genealogy series “Finding Your Roots,” Caplan learns that one of her ancestors survived four camps - and that his wife and baby were murdered.

JANUARY 27, 2026|ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA

Hollywood star chosen as an ambassador for the Kérastase hair brand

American actress Sidney Sweeney, known for her roles in "The White Lotus" and "Euphoria", chosen as global ambassador for luxury hair brand Kérastase.

FEBRUARY 20, 2024|ByLEE SIVILIA

Alex Borstein, left, and Rachel Brosnahan in a scene from Season 3 of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."

‘Mrs. Maisel,’ ‘Fleishman,’ Natasha Lyonne among Jewish nominees at strike-delayed Emmys

The awards come in a new context for show business and the Jewish world: one in which parts of Hollywood are wearing pins in support of Israeli hostages while the other criticizes Israel.

JANUARY 12, 2024|ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

Oscar nominations 2018: 5 Jewish takeaways

Israel is not represented at the Oscars this year.

JANUARY 26, 2018ByGABE FRIEDMAN/JTA

An Oscar statue is seen in Beverly Hills

Connie Sawyer, oldest working actress in Hollywood, dies at 105

Sawyer, born Rosie Cohen, earned her first movie role at the age of 50 appearing opposite Frank Sinatra and Edward G. Robinson.

JANUARY 26, 2018ByJTA

A view of the iconic Hollywood sign

Golden Globes' message: Hollywood's tolerance of sexual harassment is over

Gal Gadot joins fashion 'blackout' on the red carpet, and 'Maisel' wins big at the Golden Globes.

JANUARY 8, 2018ByAMY SPIRO

Actress Gal Gadot and her husband, Yaron Versano, at the 75th Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2018.

JPost exclusive: Actress Noa Tishby reveals sexual harassment by ex-agent

Israeli actress and producer Noa Tishby, best known for her roles in 'BeTipul' and 'Dig,' recounts her experiences of Hollywood sexual harassment, and her vision for a more equitable future.

NOVEMBER 23, 2017ByNOA TISHBY

Israeli actress and producer Noa Tishby

Jeffrey Tambor to leave ‘Transparent’ amid sexual harassment accusations

"Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to Transparent."

NOVEMBER 20, 2017ByJTA

‘Transparent’ TV series

‘Transparent’ star Jeffrey Tambor denies second sexual harassment accusation

The claims against Tambor, which are the subject of an internal probe launched by Amazon, are the latest in a string of complaints made against celebrities.

NOVEMBER 19, 2017ByJTA

Jeffrey Tambor accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series for 'Transparent'

Rob Reiner on Judaism, movies and his experience ‘home shuling’

Rob Reiner directed the film "LBJ," to open in theaters on Friday.

NOVEMBER 2, 2017ByCURT SCHLEIER/JTA

Director Rob Reiner poses at the premiere for "LBJ" in Los Angeles, California, US, October 24, 2017

Paul Rudd learns his family experienced antisemitism

"It must have been awful," Rudd remarked on hearing of the trying experiences of his ancestors in Europe.

OCTOBER 27, 2017ByCURT SCHLEIER/JTA

Paul Rudd

Debra Messing becomes latest Jewish Hollywood Star of Fame honoree

The ''Will and Grace'' star was honored for her work in television.

OCTOBER 8, 2017ByJPOST.COM STAFF

Debra Messing receiving her Hollywood Star of Fame, October 2017

Kosher in Westeros: 7 Jewish facts about Game of Thrones

My Yiddishe Momme of dragons?

JULY 15, 2017ByLISA KEYS, GABE FRIEDMAN / JTA

Fans wait for guests to arrive at the world premiere of the television fantasy drama Game of Thrones series 5, at The Tower of London