Is Bette Midler Jewish?

Bette Midler is a Jew. Midler is best known for her roles Fiddler on the Roof and Salvation on Broadway, as well as for her widely popular music and films.

Midler was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, where her family was one of the few Jewish families in a mostly Asian neighborhood. Her mother, Ruth (née Schindel), was a seamstress and housewife, and her father, Fred Midler, worked at a Navy base in Hawaii as a painter, and was also a housepainter.

Midler is also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. Her career has spanned almost half a century and Midler has been nominated for two Academy Awards, and won three Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a special Tony Award. She has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

Throughout her career, many of her songs became hits on the record charts, including "The Rose" and "Wind Beneath My Wings" as well as her renditions of "Do You Wanna Dance?", "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "From a Distance". In film, she is known for her roles in  The Rose, Beaches, The First Wives Club, The Stepford Wives, For the Boys and Gypsy.

Is Barbra Streisand Jewish?

Barbra Streisand is a Jew. Streisand is an American singer, actress, writer, film producer and director. She is one of the most well-known and successful entertainers in modern entertainment history.

Streisand was born as Barbara (later changing the spelling of her first name to be unique) Streisand in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Diana (née Ida Rosen) and Emanuel Streisand. Her mother was at one time a singer and her father was a high school teacher. Her family was Jewish; her paternal grandparents immigrated from Galicia and her maternal grandparents from Russia. Streisand attended the Jewish Orthodox Yeshiva of Brooklyn, where she gave a solo performance at the age of seven. She later attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, where she joined the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club.

Streisand has recorded 50 studio albums and began recording in the 1960s. She has also appeared in such films as Funny Girl, Yentl, Meet the Fockers and The Guilt Trip. Throughout her career she has won many awards, including Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards and Tony Awards.

Is Norman Schwarzkopf Jewish?

Norman Schwarzkopf was not Jewish. Born Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf on August 22, 1934, the four-star United States Army general was commander of coalition forces in the Persian Gulf War.

Schwarzkopf was born in Trenton, New Jersey. His mother was Ruth Alice (née Bowman) and his father was Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf, who served in the US Army before becoming the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

According to Wikipedia, in 1946, when he was 12, Schwarzkopf and the rest of his family joined their father, stationed in Tehran, Iran, where his father went on to be instrumental in Operation Ajax, eventually forming the Shah's secret police SAVAK, as well. He attended the Community High School in Tehran, later the International School of Geneva at La Châtaigneraie, Frankfurt High School in Frankfurt, Germany and attended and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy. He was also a member of Mensa.

General Norman Schwarzkopf, known as "Stormin' Norman", died on December 27, 2012.

Is Jim Schwartz Jewish?

Jim Schwartz is not a Jew. Schwartz is the head coach for the Detroit Lions and previously coached the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens.

Schwartz was born just outside Baltimore, Maryland and attended Mount Saint Joseph High School, an all-male Catholic school, where he played football. He then played for Georgetown University where he was the team captain. 

In 2011, Schwartz led the Detroit Lions to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. 

Is Paul Rudd Jewish?

Paul Rudd is a Jew. Paul Rudd is best known for his roles in The 40-Year Old Virgin, Anchorman and I Love You, Man. He also played Mike Hannigan on Friends and starred on Broadway in Grace.

Rudd's parents, Michael and Gloria, were both Jewish. Their last name was originally Rudnitzky but was changed by his grandfather to Rudd. Rudd had a bar mitzvah.

Rudd was born in Passaic, New Jersey and was raised in Overland Park, Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas and spent time at the British American Drama Academy based in Oxford, U.K. While attending acting school, Rudd worked as a DJ.

Is Hugh Jackman Jewish?

Hugh Jackman is not Jewish. The actor best known for his roles as Wolverine in X-Men and Jean Valjean in a scene from "Les Misérables" (2012).

Jackman was born in Sydney, New South Wales. His parents were devout Christians, having been converted by Evangelist Billy Graham after their marriage. His parents are Grace McNeil (née Greenwood) and Christopher John Jackman. His parents were English-born and immigrated to Australia. One of Jackman's paternal great-grandfathers was Greek.

Is Jack Klugman Jewish?

Jack Klugman was Jewish. The actor, famous for his role in The Odd Couple, died on December 24, 2012 at his home in Northridge, California.

Klugman was born in Philadelphia, the son of Rose, a hat maker, and Max Klugman, a house painter. Klugman's parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. He attended Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, where he graduated in 1948.

Klugman, who also starred in the original film version of "12 Angry Men," won two Emmy Awards for his portrayal of sloppy and careless New York sportswriter Oscar Madison. He went on to star in the television series "Quincy, M.E.," in which he played a medical examiner. The other half of the "Odd Couple," Tony Randall, who portrayed the finicky photographer Felix Unger, died in 2004. Klugman also performed in the original Broadway production of "The Odd Couple" as a replacement for Walter Matthau.

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.

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."

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)

demetria lovato ‏@ddlovato

@jCarolinaa_ actually - I found out that I am Irish, Hispanic, Native American, Portuguese and 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.