Lewis at the premiere of Encore’s “Method To The Madness Of Jerry Lewis,” Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA, 12-07-11, s_bukley/bigstock.com

Birth Name: Richard Philip Lewis

Date of Birth: June 29, 1947

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: February 27, 2024

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Richard Lewis was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He is known for his roles on the shows Anything but Love and Curb Your Enthusiasm, in the films That’s Adequate, Once Upon a Crime, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Wagons East!, Drunks (1995), Leaving Las Vegas, Hugo Pool, and Vamps (2012), and in the made-for-tv movie Diary of a Young Comic, which he also co-wrote. His humour was dark, neurotic, and self-deprecating.

He was the son of Blanche, a community theatre actress, and Bill Lewis, a co-owner of Ambassador Caterers in Teaneck, New Jersey. A picture of his parents can be seen here. Richard was raised in Englewood, NJ. He was married to Joyce Lapinsky, who worked in music publishing, until his death.

Richard’s paternal grandfather was named Jacob Lewis.

Richard’s paternal grandmother was named Molly Geffon.

Richard’s maternal grandfather was named Albert Goldberg. Albert was a Romanian Jew.

Richard’s maternal grandmother was named Sarah Fischer. Sarah was a Hungarian Jew.

Sources: Genealogy of Richard Lewis (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Marriage record of Richard’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Genevieve Rose Angelson

Place of Birth: New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 13, 1986

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – three quarters Irish, one quarter Polish

Genevieve Angelson is an American actress. Her roles include the films True Story and The Upside, and the shows House of Lies, Backstrom, Good Girls Revolt, Robot Chicken, Flack, Titans, The Afterparty, New Amsterdam, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Which Brings Me to You.

Genevieve’s paternal grandfather was Jacob Angelson (the son of Max Angelson and Annie/Anna/Anne Levine). Jacob’s parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. Max was the son of Jacob Angelson and Annie. Annie was the daughter of Abraham Levine and Yetta Podnos.

Genevieve’s paternal grandmother was Dorothy A. Lieber (the daughter of Maurice Lieber and Yetta Mariam Cohen). Dorothy was the daughter of a Polish Jewish father and a Romanian Jewish mother. Maurice was the son of Isaac Lieberman and Rachel Botkowsky.

Genevieve’s maternal grandfather was Joseph F. Farrell (the son of James Farrell and Rose Hagen). Joseph’s parents were Irish.

Genevieve’s maternal grandmother was Mildred Agnes Wasil (the daughter of Vincent Wasilewski and Mary Agnes Kiernan).

Source: Marriage announcement of Genevieve’s parents – https://www.nytimes.com

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VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 03: Glazer attends ‘Under The Skin’ Photocall during the 70th Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on September 3, 2013 in Venice, Italy. Denis Makarenko/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Edmonton, Middlesex, England, U.K.

Date of Birth: 26 March, 1965

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Jonathan Glazer is a British director and screenwriter. He has directed the films Sexy Beast, Birth (2004), Under the Skin, and The Zone of Interest. He also co-wrote Birth and Under the Skin, and wrote The Zone of Interest. His directing work also includes the stage, as well as many shorts, music videos, especially for Radiohead, Massive Attack, Richard Ashcroft, and Jamiroquai; and commercials, particularly for Barclays, Kodak, Sony, Nike, and Alexander McQueen. Known for his strong and bold visual style, and dramatic use of sound; his works depict loneliness, alienation, and desperate and flawed characters, and use an omniscient perspective.

Jonathan is the son of Ella and Stanley Glazer. His parents are both Jewish. He has three children with his partner Rachel Penfold.

Jonathan’s paternal grandfather was named Reuben Glazer (the son of Simon Glazer and Rachel). Reuben was born in Mile End Old Town, London, to Russian Jewish parents.

Jonathan’s paternal grandmother was Sarah/Cissie Merkel (the daughter of Shimon Leib Merkel and Glika Rasha/Rachel Segal). Sarah was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Shimon was born in Vilijampole, Kaunas, Lithuania, the son of Girsh Mikhel Markel and Chana Merkel. Glika was the daughter of Shlomo Mates Segal and Sarah, who was born in Romania.

Jonathan’s maternal grandfather likely was named Morris Pildus/Pilous.

Sources: https://www.theguardian.com

Genealogy of Jonathan’s father – https://www.geni.com

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Birth Name: Cooper J. Koch

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 16, 1996

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – German, other

Cooper Koch is an American actor. He has starred in the films They/Them and Swallowed (2022), and in the upcoming series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story.

His twin brother is editor Payton Koch. His father, Billy Koch, has worked behind-the-scenes in film. Cooper is the grandson of film producer Hawk Koch, who was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscars), from 1977 to 1979; and the great-grandson of producer and director Howard W. Koch.

Cooper’s uncle, Robby Koch, is married to Annie Meyers-Shyer, the daughter of director and screenwriter Nancy Meyers.

Cooper’s paternal grandfather is Howard Winchel “Hawk” Koch, Jr. (the son of Howard Winchel Koch and Ruth Pincus). Cooper’s grandfather Hawk was born in Los Angeles, California. Cooper’s great-grandfather Howard was the son of William Jacob Koch and Beatrice Winchel, who were the children of Russian Jewish parents. Ruth was born in California, the daughter of Joseph Pincus, who was a Polish Jewish immigrant; and of Sadie Schuster, who herself was born in New York, to Romanian Jewish parents.

Cooper’s paternal grandmother is Rita Joy Litter (the daughter of Norman Litter and Elaine Olive Rose). Rita was born in California. Norman was born in Texas, the son of Polish Jewish parents, Benjamin/Ben Litter and Hanna/Anna Cherno. Elaine was born in Illinois, the daughter of Russian Jewish parents, Jackson J. Rose and Mildred/Millie Mendolsohn/Mendelson.

Sources: Marriage record of Cooper’s paternal great-grandparents, Howard Winchel Koch and Ruth Pincus – https://www.familysearch.org

Social Security death record of Cooper’s paternal great-grandfather, Howard Winchel Koch – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Cooper’s paternal great-grandfather, Howard Winchel Koch – https://www.findagrave.com

Marriage record of Cooper’s paternal great-grandparents, Norman Litter and Elaine Olive Rose – https://www.familysearch.org

Cooper’s paternal great-grandfather, Norman Litter, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Cooper’s paternal great-grandmother, Elaine Olive Rose, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

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LOS ANGELES – APR 13: Jade Bender at the “A Cowgirl’s Story” Premiere at the Pacific Theatres at The Grove on April 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA

Birth Name: Jade A. Bender

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 11, 1997

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – Chinese

Jade Bender is an American actress.

Her father is Jewish. Her mother likely is of Chinese descent.

Jade’s paternal grandfather was named Martin Joseph Bender.

Jade’s paternal grandmother was Barbara Helen “Elena” Lebowitz (the daughter of Louis Edward Lebowitz/Lebowetz and Beatrice Evelyn “Betty” Chasen/Chasin). Barbara was born in New York. Louis was born in Mississippi, to parents from Romania, Samuel Lebowitz and Betty Finkelstein. Beatrice was born in New York, to parents from Russia, Isidor Chasen and Sophie Luger.

Sources: Death record of Jade’s paternal grandfather, Martin Joseph Bender – http://findagrave.com

Obituary of Jade’s paternal grandmother, Barbara Helen “Elena” (Lebowitz) Thoms – http://sanjuanjournal.com

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 1: David Blue arrives at the premiere of Star Trek: Renegades at the Crest Theatre on August 1, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA.

Birth Name: David Cary Blue

Place of Birth: New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 17, 1979

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

David Blue is an American actor. He is known for his work on television series Ugly Betty, Stargate Universe, Henry Danger and Danger Force.

His family is Jewish. He was raised in New York and Florida.

David’s paternal grandfather was Edward/Isador Bernard Blue (the son of Morris Bluestein/Bloestein and Dora/Dorothy Peres/Perres). Edward was born in New York, to parents from Russia. Morris was the son of Isaac Bluestein and Hannah T. Boskenbaum. Dora was the daughter of Samuel “Sam” Peres and Annie Bushlowitz/Bislawitz.

David’s paternal grandmother was Sylvia Wolitzer/Wolytzer (the daughter of William Wolitzer and Ida Geller). Sylvia was born in New York, to parents from Galicia, Austria/Poland.

David’s maternal grandfather was Irving Tarde (the son of Louis Tarde/Terde and Fannie/Fanny Goufon). Irving was born in New York.

David’s maternal grandmother was Barbara Elsie Saltzman (the daughter of Harry Saltzman and Rebecca Goldner). Barbara was born in New York, to parents from Romania. Harry was the son of Jacob Saltzman and Sarah Kahn.

Sources: Death record of David’s maternal grandfather, Irving Tarde – http://findagrave.com

Marriage record of David’s paternal great-grandparents, Morris Bluestein/Bloestein and Dora/Dorothy Peres/Perres – http://familysearch.org

Obituary of David’s paternal grandmother, Sylvia (Wolitzer) Blue – http://legacy.com

Photo by cvanwagoner/Bigstock.com

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Birth Name: Sabrina Mae Teitelbaum

Place of Birth: New York, New York, US

Date of Birth: April 28, 1997

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – Irish, other

Blondshell is the project of American indie rock musician Sabrina Teitelbaum. She was previously known as Baum.

Her father, Doug, is chairman of NJOY. Her mother, Abigail, died in 2018.

Ancestry/Genealogy: Sabrina’s paternal grandfather was Marvin Teitelbaum (born to Samuel Teitelbaum and Celia Nachwalter/Newalter/Neuritter). Marvin was born in New York City. Samuel was born in Wielopole, Poland. Celia was born in Poland.

Sabrina’s paternal grandmother is Geraldine Segal (born to Raphael Segal and Sarabel Horvitz). Geraldine was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Raphael was born in Waco, Texas to a father from Botoșani, Romania and a mother born in Safed, Israel, whose family was originally from Chișinău, Moldova. Sarabel was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to parents from Shchedrin, Belarus.

Sabrina’s maternal grandfather is Randall Duncan Smith. He was born in 1942. His mother’s surname was Duncan and her parents were from Ireland.

Sabrina’s maternal grandmother was Kathryn.

Source: Obituaries:
*Abigail Smith, Sabrina’s mother
*Marvin Teitelbaum

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Birth Name: Natalie Janowski

Place of Birth: Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 25, 2004

Ethnicity: Polish-Ashkenazi Jewish

Natalie Jane is an American singer and songwriter. She made it to the top 40 of the eighteenth season of American Idol.

Natalie’s maternal grandfather was Richard William Selmonsky (the son of Joseph “Joe” Selmonsky and Miriam Seff). Richard was born in New York. Joseph was born in England, to a Polish Jewish family, the son of Philip/Eliezer Selmonsky and Pauline/Poli/Pese/Pessa Leya Knyper, who were from Warsaw. Miriam was born in New York, the daughter of Marx/Mordechai Seff, a Russian Jewish immigrant, and of Pauline/Paulina Wiplich, who was an Austrian Jew.

Natalie’s maternal grandmother was Joyce S. Mann (the daughter of Carol Julius Silverman/Mann and Flora Bluma Lifschitz). Joyce was born in New York. Carol was a Romanian Jewish immigrant. Flora was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Samuel Lifschitz, a Russian Jewish immigrant, and of Mary Kaplan, who was born in San Francisco, California, to Lithuanian Jewish/Polish Jewish parents.

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Birth Name: Eric Ivan Cantor

Place of Birth: Richmond, Virginia, U.S.

Date of Birth: June 6, 1963

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Eric Cantor is an American politician and lawyer. A Republican, he was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia, from January 3, 2001 to August 18, 2014, House Republican Chief Deputy Whip, from January 3, 2003 to January 3, 2009, House Minority Whip, from January 3, 2009 to January 3, 2011, and House Majority Leader, from January 3, 2011 to August 1, 2014. He has been vice chairman of investment bank Moelis & Company.

Eric is the son of Mary Lee, a schoolteacher, and Eddie Cantor, a real estate firm owner. He was raised in Conservative Judaism. He is married to lawyer, certified public accountant, and banker Diana Fine, with whom he has three children.

Eric’s paternal grandfather was named Solomon I. “Sam” Cantor (the son of Samuel N. Cantor and Rebecca). Solomon was born in Virginia, to Russian Jewish parents. Samuel was the son of Mayer Velva Paskovitz and Sarah Sadowski.

Eric’s paternal grandmother was named Frances/Francis Brown (the daughter of Louis Brown). Frances was born in New York, to Romanian Jewish parents.

Eric’s maternal grandfather was named Frank H. Hudes. Frank was a Romanian Jewish immigrant.

Eric’s maternal grandmother was named Pauline N. Baker. Pauline was a Latvian Jewish immigrant. Her paternal grandparents were Bakesha/Baker and Reva.

Sources: Genealogies of Eric Cantor – https://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
https://www.geni.com

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Birth Name: Kelsey-Maree Eckstein

Place of Birth: Auckland, New Zealand

Date of Birth: August 1, 1993

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – likely Irish

Kelsy Karter is a New Zealand-born singer and songwriter. She is the frontwoman of British-Australian rock n’ roll band Kelsy Karter & The Heroines.

Kelsy’s paternal grandfather was Leo Henry Eckstein (the son of William Eckstein and Fannie/Fanny Hirscher/Herscher). Leo was born in New York City, to a Romanian Jewish father, from Iași, and an Austrian Jewish mother. Harry was the son of Leo Eckstein and Rosa. Fannie was the daughter of Isador Hirscher.

Kelsy’s paternal grandmother was Frances Moskovitz (the daughter of Harry Moskovitz and Blanche Spitzer). Frances was born in Akron, Ohio, to a Ukrainian Jewish father, from Syurte, and a Slovak Jewish mother, from Kolárovo. Harry was the son of Bernard Moskovitz and Mary Herskowitz. Blanche was the daughter of David Spitzer and Rose Kahn.

Kelsy’s maternal grandfather is named Eric Sheehan.

Kelsy’s maternal grandmother is named Patricia Marie Cotter.

Source: Genealogies of Kelsy’s paternal grandparents, Leo Henry Eckstein and Frances Moskovitz – https://www.familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Thomas Anatole Richman

Place of Birth: Woodbridge, Virginia, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 21, 2000

Ethnicity:
*father – one half Ashkenazi Jewish, one half Greek
*mother – English, one quarter Irish, some German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, and Scottish, remote French Huguenot

Tommy Richman is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. He is known for his song “Million Dollar Baby,” which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2024.

His father is a drum teacher.

Tommy’s paternal grandfather was Anatole George “Tug” Richman (the son of George Richman and Jean H. Korn). Tug was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a Polish Jewish father and a Romanian Jewish mother. George was the son of Itsaak/Isaac Milton “Ike” Rachman/Richman and Naska/Nellie Fogel. Jean was the daughter of Solomon Korn and Anna Nadler.

Tommy’s paternal grandmother was Eurydice “Becky” Trentes (the daughter of Constantine Harry Trentes and Kathryn Thomas). Becky was born in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Constantine was an ethnic Greek, born in Erenköy, Çanakkale, formerly Ofrinio, later Renkioi, Turkey; the son of Harry John Trentes and Katherine Thea Figoudis. Tommy’s great-grandmother Kathryn was born in Pennsylvania, also to Greek parents, Nick Thomas and Mattie.

Tommy’s maternal grandfather was Richard Allen Putnam (the son of Guy Cornelius Putnam and Elizabeth Irene Pineo). Richard was born in New Hampshire, and had deep Colonial American roots. Guy was born in Jamaica, Vermont, the son of John Cornelius F. Putnam, who was from Mooers, New York, and Alfredia A. Webster, who was born in Northfield, Massachusetts. Tommy’s great-grandmother Elizabeth was born in Hollis, New Hampshire, the daughter of Emerson Haverlock Pineo, who was born in Blomidon, Nova Scotia, Canada, to a family originally from the U.S.; and of Ethel Mae Holden.

Tommy’s maternal grandmother was Patricia Grace Fitzgerald (the daughter of William Shimer Patrick Fitzgerald and Grace Bailes). William was born in Dunbar, Pennsylvania, the son of Michael James Fitzgerald, who was from Carrigaline, County Cork, Ireland; and of Victoria Agnes Daley/Dailey, who was born in Dunbar, to Irish immigrants. Grace had deep Colonial American roots, as well as German ancestry.

Sources: Obituary of Tommy’s paternal grandfather, Anatole George “Tug” Richman – https://www.legacy.com

Genealogy of Tommy’s mother – https://www.familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Jonatan Aron Leandoer Håstad

Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden

Date of Birth: 18 July, 1996

Ethnicity: Swedish, one quarter Ashkenazi Jewish

Yung Lean is a Swedish rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the early cloud rap era. He gained prominence in 2013 with his song “Ginseng Strip 2002,” which went viral on YouTube, and debut mixtape, “Unknown Death 2002.” The following year, he released his debut studio album “Unknown Memory.”

He is the son of diplomat Elsa Håstad and translator Kristoffer Leandoer. His father was born in Stockholm.

Jonatan’s maternal grandfather was Arnold Wesker (the son of Joseph Wesker and Cecile Leah Perlmutter). Arnold was a dramatist, who was born in Stepney, London, England. Joseph was a tailor’s machinist and active communist, who was of Russian Jewish and Ukrainian Jewish descent. Leah was born in Transylvania, to Hungarian Jewish parents.

Jonatan’s maternal grandmother is named Disa Håstad. Disa is a Swedish journalist.

Sources: https://literature.britishcouncil.org

Genealogy of Yung Lean’s mother (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Obituary of Yung’s maternal grandfather, Arnold Wesker – https://www.theguardian.com

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Birth Name: Gaia Romilly Wise

Place of Birth: Westminster, London, England, U.K.

Date of Birth: 4 December, 1999

Ethnicity: English, Scottish, one quarter Ashkenazi Jewish

Gaia Wise is a British actress.

She is the daughter of actress, comedian, screenwriter, and author Emma Thompson and actor and producer Greg Wise. Her aunt is actress Sophie Thompson.

Gaia’s paternal grandfather was Douglass Wise (the son of Horace Watson Wise and Doris Park). Douglass was born in Yorkshire, England. Horace was the son of Frederick George Wise. Doris was the daughter of William Thomas Park.

Gaia’s paternal grandmother was Yvonne Jeannine Czeiler (the daughter of Emil Lörincz Antal Czeiler and Eva Renee Nathlie). Yvonne was born in Paris, France, and was Jewish. Emil was born in Transylvania, Romania. Eva was born in Croatia.

Gaia’s maternal grandfather was actor, scriptwriter, director, and television presenter Eric Thompson (born Eric Norman Thompson, the son of George Henry Thompson and Annie/Anne Amelia Jackson). Eric was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. George was the son of Matthew Thompson and Lily Smith. Annie was the daughter of Robert George Jackson and Annie Barnett.

Gaia’s maternal grandmother is actress Phyllida Law (born Phyllida Ann Law, the daughter of William Ramsay Law and Margaret Cockburn Orr or Megsie/Elizabeth Templeton). Phyllida was born in Glasgow, Scotland. William was the son of Andrew Law and Agnes Stevenson.

Sources: Genealogy of Gaia Wise – https://www.geni.com

Gaia’s father talks about his ancestry – https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk

Genealogy of Gaia’s mother – https://www.wikitree.com

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Ryder in 2011, DFree / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Winona Horowitz

Place of Birth: Olmsted, Minnesota, United States

Date of Birth: October 29, 1971

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*mother – Norwegian (one quarter), Belgian Walloon, German, Irish/Northern Irish, English, Scottish

Winona Ryder is an American actress. She is known for starring in the films Lucas, Beetlejuice, and its sequel; Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Little Women (1994), How to Make an American Quilt, The Crucible (1996), Alien Resurrection, Autumn in New York, Lost Souls (2000), Mr. Deeds, A Scanner Darkly, Black Swan, and Destination Wedding (2018), and on the shows Stranger Things and The Plot Against America.

Winona was given her first name after a city near her hometown, in Minnesota. She is the daughter of Cynthia V. (née Istas), an author, video producer, and editor, and Michael D. Horowitz, an author and archivist. Her father is Jewish; his family emigrated from Romania, Russia, and Belarus. Many of her father’s relatives died in the Holocaust. Winona’s mother’s maiden name, Istas, is found in Belgium. Winona’s mother is of Norwegian (one quarter), Belgian Walloon, German, Irish/Northern Irish, English, and Scottish descent.

Winona’s father is an atheist and Winona’s mother is a Buddhist. Winona has identified herself as Jewish, at least in an ethnic sense.

Winona’s paternal grandfather was Sol Horowitz (the son of Louis Jorge Tomchin and Mary Yetta Friedland). Sol was born in Minsk, Belarus, to Jewish parents. His family’s surname was changed from Tomchin to Horowitz. Louis was the son of Leib Tomchin.

Winona’s paternal grandmother was Ethel Frankel (the daughter of Joseph Frankel and Bertha Yuffe). Ethel was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Romanian Jewish parents, from Botoșani. Joseph was the son of Aaron Frankel and Gitza Rivka Godel. Bertha was the daughter of Avram Yuffe and Perla Weidenfeld.

Winona’s maternal grandfather was Everett Frank Istas (the son of William Paul Istas and Edna Frances Bennett). Everett was born in Shawno, Wisconsin. William was born in Wisconsin, the son of a Belgian father, Frank Alphonsius Istas, who had at least partial Walloon ancestry, and of a mother, Ida Zachou/Zachow, who was born in Wisconsin, to German parents, from Parchim, Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Winona’s great-grandmother Edna was born in Collingwood, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of English parents, Eli Brian Bennett, from Winchester, Hampshire, and Frances Maria/Myva Halfred/Halford, from Ross, Herefordshire.

Winona’s maternal grandmother was Margaret Ford Colter (the daughter of Roy Baron Colter and Lillian G. Lindem). Margaret was born in Illinois. Roy was born in Douglas, York, New Brunswick, the son of James Colter, whose parents were from County Leitrim, Ireland; and of Victoria Long. Lillian was born in Wisconsin, the daughter of Johan/John Anton Linden, who was Norwegian, and of Isabella/Isabelle/Belle Helen Thompson, whose parents were also Norwegian.

Sources: Interviews with Winona Ryder – https://jewishjournal.com
https://www.esquire.com

Genealogies of Winona Ryder – http://www.geni.com
https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Winona’s maternal grandfather, Everett Frank Istas – https://www.findagrave.com

Winona’s maternal grandfather, Everett Frank Istas, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Winona’s maternal grandfather, Everett Frank Istas – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Winona’s maternal great-great-grandmother, Ida (Zachou/Zachow) Istas – https://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Winona’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Johan/John Anton Linden and Isabella/Isabelle/Belle Helen Thompson – https://www.familysearch.org

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Garfield in 2011, photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Andrew Russell Garfield

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 20, 1983

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

Andrew Garfield is an American and British actor. He is known for playing Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the films The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. He has also starred in the films Boy A, Lions for Lambs, Red Riding, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Never Let Me Go, The Social Network, as Eduardo Saverin; 99 Homes, Hacksaw Ridge, Silence (2016), Breathe (2017), Under the Silver Lake, Mainstream, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, as Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick… Boom!, and We Live in Time; on television’s Under the Banner of Heaven; and in stage roles.

Andrew was born in Los Angeles, to an American-born father, Richard Garfield, and an English-born mother, Lynn (Hillman). He moved with his parents to England when he was three, and was raised there, in Epsom, Surrey. He has both American and British citizenship. His parents ran an interior design business; his father was also a swimming coach and his mother a teaching assistant at a nursery school. Andrew was a gymnast and swimmer as a youth.

Andrew’s father is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family that had moved to England from Poland, Russia, and Romania. Andrew’s paternal grandparents, who were born in England, later moved to California, where Andrew’s father was born.

Talking about where his guilt complex comes from, Andrew has said:

Being Jewish and, yes, I’m sure it stems from being privileged. I was brought up in a middle class home. I went to private school. And I was always very aware of me not earning that. I got a very good lot in life – I have two very loving parents, and I have a loving older brother.

He has also specified:

My father is Jewish and that side of my family is Jewish, but he’s nonpracticing and left the faith as a young boy, of his own volition. My mom is a kind of pantheist, and my father became an atheist but I think he’s now coming around to some kind of higher power… I was raised with all this space around me, spiritually speaking. And that has really continued, but what it engendered in me is a great deep hunger for answers, and I’ve been a spiritual seeker since I was a kid.

Andrew has described himself as Jewish on several other occasions, i.e. here and here. He has also stated, when asked if he considers himself more American or English:

I identify more as Jewish than anything… I have a love-hate relationship with both countries and used to be very proud to have both passports. Today, I’m slightly less proud.

In terms of his religious beliefs, he has also said, “I would consider myself pantheist, agnostic and occasionally atheist and a little bit Jewish.”

Andrew’s paternal grandfather was named Samuel Garfield (born Samuel Garfinkel, the son of Harry Garfinkel and Sarah). Samuel was born in Westminster St. Margaret, London, England, and had changed his surname from Garfinkel to Garfield. His parents were Polish Jews, from Kielez.

Andrew’s paternal grandmother was Doris May Savage (the daughter of Lewis Savage and Rebecca “Becky” Thirer). Doris May was born in England, to a Russian Jewish father and a Romanian Jewish mother. Rebecca was the daughter of Simon Thirer and Rachel Stone.

Garfield in 2009, photo credit: csztova

Andrew’s maternal grandfather is named Peter Hillman.

Andrew’s maternal grandmother was Florence Alice Luckens (the daughter of Charles George/Thomas Luckens and Jane Catherine Polley/Colley). Florence was born in Lambeth, London, England. Charles likely was the son of Alfred Robert Luckens and Emily Jane Harding. Jane was the daughter of Thomas David Polley and Eleanor Knights.

Sources: Genealogy of Andrew Garfield – https://www.geni.com

Andrew’s paternal grandfather, Samuel Garfinkel, on the 1911 England and Wales Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Andrew’s paternal great-grandparents, Lewis Savage and Rebecca “Becky” Thirer, on the 1901 England and Wales Census – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Andrew’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Simon Thirer – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Eric Ivan Cantor

Place of Birth: Richmond, Virginia, U.S.

Date of Birth: June 6, 1963

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Eric Cantor is an American politician and lawyer. A Republican, he was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia, from January 3, 2001 to August 18, 2014, House Republican Chief Deputy Whip, from January 3, 2003 to January 3, 2009, House Minority Whip, from January 3, 2009 to January 3, 2011, and House Majority Leader, from January 3, 2011 to August 1, 2014. He has been vice chairman of investment bank Moelis & Company.

Eric is the son of Mary Lee, a schoolteacher, and Eddie Cantor, a real estate firm owner. He was raised in Conservative Judaism. He is married to lawyer, certified public accountant, and banker Diana Fine, with whom he has three children.

Eric’s paternal grandfather was named Solomon I. “Sam” Cantor (the son of Samuel N. Cantor and Rebecca). Solomon was born in Virginia, to Russian Jewish parents. Samuel was the son of Mayer Velva Paskovitz and Sarah Sadowski.

Eric’s paternal grandmother was named Frances/Francis Brown (the daughter of Louis Brown). Frances was born in New York, to Romanian Jewish parents.

Eric’s maternal grandfather was named Frank H. Hudes. Frank was a Romanian Jewish immigrant.

Eric’s maternal grandmother was named Pauline N. Baker. Pauline was a Latvian Jewish immigrant. Her paternal grandparents were Bakesha/Baker and Reva.

Sources: Genealogies of Eric Cantor – https://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
https://www.geni.com

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