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Is Hal Schaefer Jewish?

Hal Schaefer was Jewish. Schaefer arranged music for films and served as a vocal coach for Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland.


He was born to Jewish parents in Queens, New York. His father was a house painter. Shaefer died December 8, 2012.

Is Richard Engel Jewish?

Richard Engel is Jewish. The American television journalist and author is best known as NBC News's chief foreign correspondent. Engel was assigned to that position after being the network's Middle East correspondent and Beirut Bureau chief. Before joining NBC News, he covered the start of the 2003 war in Iraq from Baghdad for ABC News as a freelance journalist.


Richard Engel grew up in a Jewish family on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City. He was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. He has an older brother who is a cardiologist. His father is a former Goldman Sachs financier. His mother Nina used to run an antiques store.

Engel reads and speaks Arabic fluently and is also fluent in Italian and Spanish. He has published two books.  "A Fist in the Hornet's Nest" is about his experience covering the Iraq War from Baghdad and his most recent book "War Journal: My Five Years in Iraq" is a sequel to the first publication.

Richard Engel was been missing in Syria for a week along with Turkish correspondent for NBC, Aziz Akyavas when the two were taken hostage. The hostages were subsequently released on December 18, 2012. 

Is Jack Antonoff Jewish?

Jack Antonoff is Jewish. The guitarist and vocalist of the indie band fun. is Jewish and attended a Solomon Schechter Day School.


Antonoff grew up in New Milford, New Jersey and attended elementary school at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, New Jersey. In high school he was a classmate of Scarlett Johansson, whom he dated from 2001 to 2002. There are rumors that he is dating Lena Dunham, the author and star of HBO's "Girls."

Antonoff has been a guest blogger for The Huffington Post where he has written in favor of gay rights and of the importance of straight allies.

Is Larry Hagman Jewish?

Larry Hagman was not Jewish. The actor known most for his role as oil baron J.R. Ewing on Dallas was not a Jew.

Was Larry Hagman Jewish?

Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas to Mary Martin and Benjamin Jackson "Jack" Hageman. His father was a lawyer, accountant, and district attorney, while his mother was an actress. His father was of Swedish descent.

Hagman's parents divorced in 1936, when he was five years old. He lived with his grandmother in Texas and California while his mother became a contract player with Paramount in 1938. In 1940, his mother met and married Richard Halliday.

The actor died in November 2012.

Is Deborah Raffin Jewish?

Deborah Raffin was Jewish. Raffin was born in Los Angeles, California to Trudy Marshall, a Brooklyn-born former movie actress, and Phillip Jordan Raffin, a restaurateur and business executive.

Raffin was known as movie star and the founder of a large audio-book company. Raffin and her husband, movie producer Michael Viner, launched the audio-book company Dove Books-on-Tape in the mid-'80s, publishing a profitable mix of titles that included Sidney Sheldon's "The Naked Face" and Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time."

Was Deborah Raffin Jewish?

According to her Wikipedia entry, Raffin appeared in several 1970s Hollywood films. Her 1976 television movie Nightmare in Badham County became a theatrical hit in mainland China, making Raffin a star there, and leading to her later becoming the first Western actress ever to make a movie promotion tour in that country. She was nominated for both a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama and a Razzie Award for Worst Actress for her performance in Touched by Love in 1981.

In 1988, she starred in James Clavell's Noble House with Pierce Brosnan. In 1991, she appeared as Julie Vale, a telepath, in the cult film Scanners II: The New Order. She later appeared as Aunt Julie on the television show 7th Heaven, and as Dr. Hightower in the ABC Family teenager series, The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Together with Michael Viner, who predeceased her in 2009, the couple had one child and divorced in 2005. Raffin died in her native Los Angeles on November 21, 2012, aged 59, from leukemia.

Is Demi Lovato Jewish?


Demi Lovato is not Jewish. The famous teen actress and singer announced in a tweet on Twitter that she is part Jewish. The teenage celeb using her Twitter handle @ddlovato tweeted to @jCarolinaa_ that she found out that she's Jewish in addition to several other nationalities and races. (see the tweet below)

 actually - I found out that I am Irish, Hispanic, Native American, Portuguese and Jewish!!!

Is Demi Lovato Jewish

According to her Wikipedia entry, Lovato's ancestry includes Mexican, Irish, Italian, and English roots. She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 20, 1992, and raised in Dallas, Texas. She is the daughter of Dianna Hart de la Garza (born Dianna Lee Smith) and Patrick Martin Lovato. She has an older sister, Dallas Lovato, and a younger half-sister, Madison de la Garza, from her mother's re-marriage. Her mother was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and country music recording artist.

Is David Gregory Jewish?

Yes, David Gregory, a journalist and host of NBC's Meet the Press, is Jewish. Gregory was born to a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother, but was raised in the Jewish faith and now lives an active Jewish life.


Gregory told the Washington Jewish Week that he says a bedtime Sh'ma prayer with his children as a way to model Judaism for them and "create a Jewish narrative in their lives that's not just obligatory." In the same article, he said that he has studied Torah with Erica Brown, scholar-in-residence of the Greater Washington Jewish Federation.

David Gregory was born in Los Angeles, California to Carolyn Surtees, an account manager, and Don Gregory, a film and theatrical producer. Gregory has been the NBC chief White House correspondent and is an occasional personality on NBC's Today Show.

Gregory is married to former federal prosecutor and former Fannie Mae executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Beth Wilkinson, who is not Jewish. The couple met while Gregory was covering the Oklahoma City bombing as a reporter and Wilkinson was serving as prosecutor on the case. The couple has a son and twins — one daughter and one son.

According to Wikipedia, Gregory was assigned by NBC to the press corps covering George W. Bush when he ran for president in 2000. During the campaign, Bush threw a party for Gregory's 30th birthday, complete with cake, on the campaign plane. Bush has nicknamed Gregory "Stretch" because of his height (6'5") and also "Dancing Man," for Gregory's occasional propensity to display his dance moves.

Is Bob Denver Jewish?

Bob Denver was not Jewish. Known for his role as Gilligan in the TV show Gilligan's Island, Bob Denver was Catholic.


Denver was born in New Rochelle, New York, and raised in Brownwood, Texas. He graduated from Loyola University (predecessor to today's Loyola Marymount University) in Los Angeles, California. After attending the Sylvia Herpolscheimer Academy for Performance Arts, he first found work as a mailman. He later coached physical education and taught mathematics at Corpus Christi School, a Roman Catholic elementary school in Pacific Palisades, California.

Is Art Modell Jewish?

Art Modell was Jewish. The owner of the Cleveland Browns and then the Baltimore Ravens was Jewish. Modell is the grandson of the late Morris Modell who founded the northeast sporting goods store chain Modell's in 1889. He is also the son of late Modell's executive Henry Modell.


Modell moved the NFL Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996. The Jewish business tycoon and mega philanthropist died in September 2012.

Is Pat Monahan Jewish?

Pat Monahan is not Jewish. Born Patrick Monahan on February 28, 1969 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the singer-songwriter, musician and occasional actor is not a Jew. Monahan is the lead singer and songwriter for the band Train and has also recorded a solo album.


In the Train song "50 Ways to Say Goodbye", Monahan hand sings about his lover leaving him on Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of repentance. No word on why Monahan chose Yom Kippur to be used in the lyrics, but he is certainly not Jewish.

Is Novak Djokovic Jewish?

Tennis star Novak Djokovic is not Jewish. He was born in Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to parents Srđan and Dijana Đoković. His religion is Serbian Orthodox Christian.


While the tennis champion isn't Jewish, he has many close relationships with Israeli Jews, including his long-time managers and fitness coaches.

Is Jose Bautista Jewish?

Jose Bautista is Jewish. The right-handed pitcher was born José Joaquín Bautista Arias in 1964 in Baní, Dominican Republic. Bautista was born to a Dominican father and an Israeli mother.


Bautista's mother's family was originally from Russia. His father was born in the Dominican. Jose Bautista and his wife, who is Russian, are observant Jews. The Bautistas maintain a Kosher home.

The Dominican Republic has a small (around 300) Jewish community and Jose Bautista is the only Major League Baseball player from the Dominican Jewish community.

Is Jerry Nelson Jewish?

Jerry Nelson was not a Jew. The puppeteer behind the Sesame Street character "Count Von Count" died of emphysema in August 2012.



Nelson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Washington, D.C. He had a daughter who died of Cystic Fibrosis at a young age.

Is Neil Armstrong Jewish?

Neil Armstrong isn't a Jew. The first man to walk on the moon was not Jewish. He died in August 2012 at 82.


Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, to Stephen Koenig Armstrong and Viola Louise Engel. He was of Scottish and German descent.

Is Chad Kroeger Jewish?

Chad Kroeger is not a Jew. While some might think Kroeger sounds Jewish, the Canadian songwriter, singer and guitarist was actually born Chad Robert Turton.


Kroeger is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Canadian rock band Nickelback. He became engaged to marry Avril Lavigne in August 2012.

Is Phyllis Diller Jewish?

Phyllis Diller is not a Jew. The actress was born Phyllis Ada Driver in Lima, Ohio, the daughter of Frances Ada (née Romshe) and Perry Marcus Driver.


She has German and Irish ancestry. Phyllis Diller was raised a Methodist. She died in August 2012.

Is Tony Scott Jewish?

Tony Scott was not Jewish. The director of such movies as The Hunger, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, Days of Thunder, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123 and Unstoppable died of an apparent suicide in August 2012.



Scott was born in North Shields in Northeast England and was the youngest of three sons born to Elizabeth and Colonel Francis Percy Scott, including his brother Ridley Scott, the famous movie director .

Is Daniel Radcliffe Jewish?

Daniel Radcliffe is a Jew. The actor, known for his recurring role in the Harry Potter movies, was born on July 23, 1989 in West London, England to a Jewish mother.


He is the only child of Alan George Radcliffe, a literary agent, and Marcia Jeannine Gresham (née Marcia Gresham Jacobson), a casting agent. While Radcliffe's mother is Jewish, he was raised without religion.

Is Shia LaBeouf Jewish?

Shia LaBeouf is a Jew. He was born in Los Angeles to a Jewish mother and a Cajun/French father. He is the only child of Shayna (née Saide) and Jeffrey Craig LaBeouf.


LaBeouf was raised Jewish and had a Bar Mitzvah, but he was also baptized in the Angelus church.

Shia LaBeouf has linked to China Brezner, Carey Mulligan, Isabel Lucas and Megan Fox. Shia LaBeouf recently announced that his blockbuster phase is over and he'll only work with indie artistes. He is set to star in Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac, which will reportedly be shot in both softcore and hardcore versions and potentially require its cast to perform unsimulated sex scenes.

Is Ellie Goulding Jewish?

Ellie Goulding is Jewish. The website "Shalom Life" called GouldingThe newest Jewish Brit to skyrocket to the top of the U.S. music charts since the late Amy Winehouse." However Ellie Goulding is not of Jewish ancestry.

Goulding is the second of four children to Tracey Clark and Arthur Goulding. Goulding began playing the clarinet at the age of nine, and at 14 began learning guitar. She started songwriting at the age of 15 and while in college she won a singing competition.

Goulding was invited to sing at the April 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton where she performed a cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” at their wedding reception at Buckingham Palace.

Known as an avid runner who takes to the streets for up to six miles a day, Goulding is allegedly in a relationship with American producer and DJ, Sonny Moore.

Is Ron Palillo Jewish?

Ron Palillo was not Jewish. The actor Ron Palillo played Arnold Horshack on the 1970s TV series “Welcome Back, Kotter”. Horshack was the class clown of the Sweathogs, completely comfortable with his oddball, if innocent personality.


Palillo died at his Palm Beach Gardens home on August 14, 2012. He was 63.

Is Christian Bale Jewish?

Christian Bale is not Jewish. Bale was born in Wales to parents of English descent. His mother Jenny (née James) was a circus performer and his South African–born father David Charles Howard Bale was an entrepreneur, commercial pilot, and talent manager. Christian Bale spent his childhood in England, Portugal, and the United States.


His father remarried Gloria Steinem in 2000 and they were married until David Bale's death in 2003. Steinem is Jewish.

Is Alexander Gould Jewish?

Yes, Alexander Gould is a Jew. was born in Los Angeles, California to Tom and Valerie Gould who are both Jewish. His sisters Emma and Kelly are both actors as well. Alexander Gould has been raised Jewish and he is active in the Conservative Jewish youth group United Synagogue Youth. In 2012, Gould will spend a year living in Israel as a participant on USY Nativ, the youth group's Gap Year in Israel program.


Gould is famous for voicing the title character of Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo. On TV, Gould plays the role of Shane Botwin on the Showtime series "Weeds," as well as guest-starring on Ally McBeal, Malcolm in the Middle, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Supernatural, and Pushing Daisies.

Is Meital Dohan Jewish?

Meital Dohan is a Jew. The beautiful Israeli actress played a female rabbi on the Showtime TV show Weeds.


Dohan is a comedian, stage, television and film actress, singer, and playwright. Outside of Israel, she is mostly known for her role as "Yael Hoffman" on Weeds.

Is Andrew Garfield Jewish?

Andrew Garfield is a Jew. The actor was born in Los Angeles to a British mother from Essex and an American father from California. Andrew Garfield moved with his family to Britain when he was three years old.

Garfield's parents ran a small interior design business. His father, Richard, was head coach of the Guildford Swimming Club and his mother, Lynn, wass a teaching assistant at a nursery school.

In addition to his role in Aaron Sorkin's "The Social Network," Garfield has portrayed Peter Parker in the 2012 sequel of "Spiderman." During an interview before the release of "Spiderman," an interviewer asked Garfield where'd all his fretting came from to which he responded, "Being Jewish."

Is Stan Lee Jewish?

Stan Lee is a Jew. The creator of many famous comic books and comic characters was born Stanley Martin Lieber on  December 28, 1922.

His parents were Romanian-born Jewish immigrants. His mother was Celia Solomon Lieber. His father was Jack Lieber, a dress cutter, who worked only sporadically after the Great Depression.


Stan Lee is the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics. According to his Wikipedia entry, "in collaboration with several artists, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and many other fictional characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. In addition, he headed the first major successful challenge to the industry's censorship organization, the Comics Code Authority, and forced it to reform its policies. Lee subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation."

Is Ernest Borgnine Jewish?

Ernest Borgnine was not Jewish. He was of Italian descent. Borgnine died July 8, 2012.

Is Aly Raisman Jewish?

Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman is Jewish. Alexandra Raisman began gymnastics as a toddler when her mother Lynn, a former high school gymnast, put her in a "Mommy & Me" class at 18 months old. She has three younger siblings.


In a recent competition Aly performed to music that is traditionally played at Jewish weddings during the Horah dance called "Siman Tov U'Mazel Tov".

Aly will compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

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.

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.