Cinema (foreign term)
Lorne Michaels, born on November 17, 1944, is a Canadian-American-Jewish producer, director, writer, comedian, and actor. He has created and produced numerous comedy shows and films over the years, including iconic programs like "Saturday Night Live," "Late Night" with Conan O'Brien, "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon, "30 Rock," "Portlandia," "The Kids in the Hall," "Wayne's World," and "Bad Boys."
The British Jewish-descended television personality who built an independent career across music, acting, fashion, presenting and advocacy
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, born on February 27, 1932, and passing away on March 23, 2011, was a British-American-Jewish actress and a two-time Academy Award winner.
Simone Signoret, born on March 25, 1921, and passing away on September 30, 1985, was a renowned French actress and author of Jewish heritage. She is often celebrated as one of France's greatest film stars and was the first French actress to win an Oscar, which she received for her role in "Room at the Top." Signoret was not only an Oscar winner but also a nominee for numerous prestigious awards, including the BAFTA, Golden Gl…
A Jewish-American comedian, actor, writer, and producer who turned personal candor into a major cultural voice
Adam Richard Sandler, born on September 9, 1966, is an American-Jewish comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer, and musician renowned for his numerous comedy films and his significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
Lena Dunham, born on May 13, 1986, is a Jewish-American actress, filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, and editor. She is best known as the creator, writer, and star of the series "Girls," for which she received two Golden Globe Awards.
Heywood "Woody" Allen, born on December 1, 1935, is a multifaceted Jewish-American filmmaker, screenwriter, playwright, actor, comedian, musician, and author. He is one of the most significant figures in cinema, with a career that spans from the second half of the 20th century well into the 21st century.
Jewish-American comedian, actor, writer, producer and director, co-creator and star of Seinfeld, who turned Jewish-New York observational comedy into a global language of popular culture
Harvey Weinstein, CBE (born March 19, 1952), is a Jewish-American film producer and director, widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Hollywood. In 1979, he and his brother, Bob Weinstein, co-founded Miramax Films, an independent film company responsible for producing numerous successful films, including "Pulp Fiction," "The English Patient," "Good Will Hunting," and "Chicago."
Cary Grant (January 18, 1904 – November 29, 1986) was a British actor of Jewish descent who had an impressive career in the United States. He was ranked second on the American Film Institute's list of "Greatest Male Stars of All Time." Some of his most famous films include "The Philadelphia Story," "North by Northwest," "To Catch a Thief," "Notorious," and "Bringing Up Baby."
Mae West, born on August 17, 1893, and passing away on November 22, 1980, was a renowned American actress, playwright, and screenwriter of Jewish heritage. She was an enduring symbol of sexuality, known for her brash and provocative demeanor.
Robert "Rob" Reiner, born on March 6, 1947, is a prominent figure in American cinema. He is known as a film director, actor, film producer, and screenwriter of Jewish-American heritage.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. (December 8, 1925 - May 16, 1990) was an American-Jewish singer, dancer, actor, and comedian. He gained fame as a member of the entertainment trio known as the "Rat Pack," alongside Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Additionally, he appeared in films like "Ocean's Eleven" (1960) and earned the nickname "Mister Show Business" after successful performances in Las Vegas.
Dustin Lee Hoffman, born on August 8, 1937, is a Jewish-American actor renowned for his impressive career, which includes two Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, three Emmy Awards, an Obie Award, and an AFI Life Achievement Award.
Sacha Noam Baron Cohen, born on October 13, 1971, is a British-Jewish comedian and actor, acclaimed for his exceptional talent in satirical comedy. He is a Golden Globe Award winner, known for his iconic characters in both television and cinema. Baron Cohen has captivated audiences with his unparalleled ability to transform into various absurd personas and expose societal prejudices, stereotypes, and hypocrisy.
The Jewish American comedian who transformed wit, improvisation, and satire across film, radio, and television
British writer, actor and broadcaster whose wit, love of language and personal openness have enriched cultural and public life
Adam Richard Sandler (Hebrew: אדם ריצ'רד סנדלר) was born on September 9, 1966, and is an American Jewish comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer, and musician, widely recognized for his roles in numerous comedy films.
The Jewish-American entertainer who joined comedy, music, and humanitarian service on a global stage
Samuel Goldwyn, born on August 17, 1879, and passing away on January 31, 1974, was a Jewish American film producer who played a significant role in the formation of two of Hollywood's major film studios: Paramount and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).
Louis Burt Mayer (July 4, 1884 – October 29, 1957) was a Jewish-American film producer and one of the founders of the "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)" studio. He is also considered the creator of the "star system" in Hollywood.
Marcus Loew (May 7, 1870 – September 5, 1927) was a Jewish-American businessman and one of the pioneers of the American film industry. He was the co-founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a major film studio.
Steven Spielberg: work, influence and a contemporary legacy
The Oscar-winning Jewish American actor, author, and civic-education advocate whose work connects cinema, Jewish memory, and democratic responsibility
Michael Curtiz, born on December 24, 1886, and passing away on April 10, 1962, was a Hungarian-born American film director of Jewish heritage. He played a pivotal role during the "Golden Age" of Hollywood in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, contributing to the creation of cinematic classics such as "Casablanca," "The Adventures of Robin Hood," and "White Christmas."
Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch, December 9, 1916 – February 5, 2020) was a renowned American-Jewish actor, producer, director, philanthropist, and award-winning author. His illustrious career spanned over seven decades, during which he made significant contributions to the world of cinema and left an indelible mark on Hollywood. His legacy is marked by numerous accolades and a steadfast commitment to his Jewish heritag…
Harry Morris Warner (December 12, 1881 – July 25, 1958) was an American-Jewish film producer and one of the co-founders of Warner Bros. Studios. He was born in Poland and played a significant role in shaping the early American film industry.
The Warner Brothers (shortened to Warner Bros.) is one of the world's largest entertainment production companies, known for its contributions to both television programming and motion pictures. It is a part of the WarnerMedia conglomerate, with its headquarters located in Burbank, California, USA.
Paramount Pictures Corporation, often simply referred to as Paramount, is an American film production and distribution company headquartered in Hollywood, California. It is one of the oldest film studios in existence today, with its origins dating back to 1912 when two American Jewish companies, Famous Players and Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, were founded. It is currently controlled by Viacom.
Yoram Globus, born on September 7, 1943, is a prominent film producer in Israel and the United States, and one of the key figures in the Israeli film industry. Globus has produced approximately 50 Israeli films and around 250 American films.
Menachem Golan, born on May 31, 1929, and passing away on August 8, 2014, was a prominent figure in Israeli cinema, making his mark as a producer, screenwriter, playwright, and director for both film and theater.
Cannon Group, under the leadership of Menachem Golan and Yoram Globus, left an indelible mark on the world of cinema during its existence from 1967 to 1993. With a remarkable output of action-packed films and an ability to adapt to market demands, they transformed a struggling company into a global media powerhouse.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), often abbreviated as MGM, is an American film and television production company with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1924. MGM was born out of the merger of Metro Pictures Corporation and Goldwyn Pictures, led by industry pioneers Samuel Goldwyn and Louis B. Mayer. The company was established by Marcus Loew, who owned a chain of theaters and sought to control the entire chain of film p…
Sam Spiegel (November 11, 1901 – December 31, 1985) was an American-Jewish film producer, renowned for his Oscar-winning productions.
Natalie Portman, born as Neta-Lee Hershlag on June 9, 1981, is a renowned American-Israeli actress, director, and film producer. She is best known for her exceptional talent in the film industry and has received numerous awards throughout her career, including an Academy Award for her role in "Black Swan."
Roman Polanski, born Rajmund Roman Thierry Polański on August 18, 1933, is a renowned French-Polish film director, screenwriter, and actor of Jewish heritage. He is best known for winning an Academy Award for his film "The Pianist." However, his career has been overshadowed by a notorious legal case in which he fled the United States after being charged with the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl.
George Gershwin, born Jacob Gershowitz on September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York, and passing away on July 11, 1937, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, was a Jewish-American pianist and composer who left an indelible mark on both classical and popular music in the United States during his relatively short life. Despite his untimely death at the age of 39, Gershwin's contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on American…
The American dancer, choreographer, singer, and actor who transformed filmed dance and made movement integral to the storytelling of the Hollywood musical
Dorothy Parker (August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967) was an American author, poet, journalist, screenwriter, and theater critic of Jewish heritage.
An American Jewish-descended filmmaker who turned war, politics, and historical memory into forceful cinema
The Jewish American media executive who led Disney’s creative revival and global expansion
Winona Laura Horowitz, better known by her stage name Winona Ryder, was born on October 29, 1971. She is an American actress of Jewish descent who gained fame for her roles in iconic films such as "Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands," "Reality Bites," and "Girl, Interrupted," as well as her work in hit TV series like "Stranger Things." Ryder has been nominated for two Academy Awards and has also won a Golden Globe.
The Jewish American singer, actor, comedian, and civic benefactor who carried theatrical showmanship from Broadway and pop music into film, television, and New York’s neighborhoods
Guy Ritchie, born on September 10, 1968, is a British film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is a two-time winner of the Empire Award for Best British Director (1999, 2001) and received an Edgar Award for his screenplay for "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" (2000).
Bar Pali (Russian: Бар Пали; born April 29, 1982) is an Israeli-American actress and model.
A Jewish New York family that transformed vaudeville, Broadway, and film comedy
A French actress whose complex, fearless performances have bridged European cinema, Hollywood and prestige television
The Jewish-American actor, director, racing champion, entrepreneur and philanthropist who turned fame into lasting institutions
The Jewish American teacher, director, and theatre leader who shaped Method acting and influenced generations of performers
Olivia Newton-John, born on September 26, 1948, is a multi-talented British-Australian artist, actress, and social activist with Jewish heritage. Throughout her illustrious career, she has achieved numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe nomination. Beyond her entertainment career, she's been a prominent advocate for environmental causes, breast cancer awareness, and entrepreneurship.
In this documentary, we delve into the remarkable life, enduring heritage, lasting legacy, and profound contributions of Lauren Michaels, a woman whose unwavering commitment to the Jewish community and her passion for change have left an indelible mark.
In the realm of Hollywood stardom and Jewish heritage, one name shines brightly: Michael Douglas. This documentary explores the biography, heritage, legacy, and the profound contribution of Michael Douglas to both the entertainment industry and the Jewish community.
In a world often divided by conflict and differences, there are individuals whose lives are dedicated to bridging gaps and fostering compassion. This is the story of Ben Apfel, a visionary whose biography, heritage, legacy, and contributions have left an indelible mark on the Jewish community and the world.
The Jewish-Canadian comedian, actor, creator and television host who made improvisation, empathy and comic risk-taking part of global popular culture
A British-Jewish actor, writer, comedian and broadcaster who turned language, personal candour and cultural knowledge into public influence
Jewish American playwright whose dramas made conscience, family and public responsibility central questions of modern theatre
In the dazzling world of Hollywood, where stories come to life on the silver screen, one filmmaker stood out as a true trailblazer, both in his craft and in his Jewish identity. Join us as we explore the remarkable biography, heritage, legacy, and contributions of Paul Mazursky to the Jewish community and its rich heritage.
In the heart of Hollywood's golden era, one name shone brighter than most, illuminating the silver screen with a unique blend of wit, humor, and wisdom. Join us as we explore the extraordinary biography, rich heritage, lasting legacy, and profound contributions of Billy Wilder to the Jewish community and its cinematic heritage.
The British Jewish comedian and actor who turned voice, mimicry and character into an international cinematic language
Israeli actress, producer and advocate who brought Israeli storytelling to American television and became a prominent voice for Israel and Jewish identity
The Vienna-born Hollywood star and inventor whose wartime collaboration with George Antheil anticipated important developments in spread-spectrum communication (November 9, 1914–January 19, 2000)