Friday 29 June 2012

Is Katie Holmes Jewish?

Katie Holmes is not Jewish.

Holmes is of Russian, German, English and Irish ancestry and was baptized a Roman Catholic. She attended Christ the King Church and parochial schools in Toledo. Holmes was born in Toledo, Ohio to Kathleen (née Stothers), a homemaker and philanthropist, and Martin Joseph Holmes, Sr., an attorney specializing in divorces. She has three older sisters and one older brother.


Katie Holmes is currently married to actor Tom Cruise, who affiliates with the Scientology movement. The couple announced they are divorcing.

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Is Nora Ephron Jewish?

Nora Ephron was Jewish. However, she was not religious. In an NPR interview she said, "You can never have too much butter – that is my belief. If I have a religion, that's it."

Nora Ephron was born on May 19, 1941 and she died on June 26, 2012.

Source: AP

She was born in New York City to Phoebe (née Wolkind) and Henry Ephron, who were both screenwriters. Both of Ephron's parents were Jewish. When she was four years old, the family moved to Beverly Hills, California.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Is Leona Helmsley Jewish?

Leona Helmsley was Jewish. Leona Helmsley was born Lena Mindy Rosenthal.

Both of her parents were Polish Jewish immigrants. Her father was a hatmaker. She was born in Marbletown, New York.


Her family moved to Brooklyn while she was still a girl, and moved six more times before settling in Manhattan. She dropped out of Abraham Lincoln High School to seek her fortune.[3] In a short time, she changed her name several times—from Lee Roberts, Mindy Roberts and Leni Roberts. Eventually, she decided on Leona Mindy Roberts.

According to her Wikipedia entry, her first husband was attorney Leo Panzirer, whom she divorced in 1952. Their only son was Jay (1940–1982), who had four children with his wife, Mimi. Leona was twice married to and divorced from her second husband, garment industry executive Joseph Lubin. After a brief stint at a sewing factory, she joined a New York real estate firm, where she eventually became vice-president.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Is Zac Efron Jewish?

Zac Efron is a Jew. The actor was born Zachary David Alexander Efron. While he is Jewish and born to a Jewish mother, he grew up agnostic and has never practiced Judaism.


According to Wikipedia, Efron was “born in San Luis Obispo, California and later moved to Arroyo Grande, California. His father, David Efron, is an engineer at a power plant, and his mother, Starla Baskett, is a former secretary who worked at the same power plant as Efron’s father. Efron had a self-described “normal childhood” in a middle class family, and has a younger brother, Dylan. Efron is of Jewish ancestry and is an agnostic, having never been religious.”

Zac Efron and Lily Collins were dating, but as of June 2012 the couple has parted ways.

“Efron” in Hebrew means “lark,” as in the singing bird.

Monday 11 June 2012

Is David Arquette Jewish?

David Arquette is Jewish.

David Arquette was born in a Virginia Subud commune, which had no electricity, bathrooms or running water. His mother, Brenda Olivia "Mardi" (née Nowak), is Jewish. She is an actress and poet. His father Lewis converted to Islam.


His mother is the daughter of a Polish Holocaust refugee. His siblings are Rosanna, Alexis (born Robert), Richmond, and Patricia Arquette.

In June 2012 David Arquette celebrated his bar mitzvah at a ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Thursday 7 June 2012

Is Ray Bradbury Jewish?

Ray Bradbury was not Jewish. The famous author was born in 1920 in Waukegan, Illinois and died on June 5, 2012.

Bradbury was born to to Esther Moberg Bradbury and Leonard Spaulding Bradbury. His mother was a Swedish immigrant. His father worked as a power and telephone lineman. Bradbury was married for 56 years to his muse and late wife, Maggie.


Ray Bradbury was descended from Mary Bradbury, who was tried at Salem witch trials in 1692.

In interviews, Ray Bradbury claimed to be a "delicatessen religionist" and not a member of one particular faith. He explained that he drew from many faiths and credited God for being such an amazing and prolific writer. In a 2010 interview with CNN, he said he decided to write his first short story at 12his friendships with everyone from Walt Disney to Alfred Hitchcock—is based on love.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Is Penny Marshall Jewish?

Penny Marshall is not a Jew. Penny Marshall was born Carole Penelope Marshall on October 15, 1942.


The actress, producer and director is the daughter of Marjorie Irene (née Ward), a tap dance teacher, and Anthony Wallace Marshall, a director and producer. Penny Marshall is the sister of the famous actor/director/TV producer Garry Marshall.

Penny Marshall's father was of Italian descent and her mother was of English and Scottish descent.