Thomas Kail – For Your Consideration Event for FOX’s “Grease Live!” – Arrivals – Paramount Studios – Hollywood, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Guillermo Proano / PR Photos

Birth Name: Thomas M. Kail

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

Date of Birth: January 20, 1977

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Thomas Kail is an American film and theater director.

Thomas is the son of Wendy (Green) and Floyd Michael “Mike” Kail. Thomas’ parents are Jewish. He has two sisters, Kathryn and Nicole.

Thomas’ paternal grandfather was Nathan “Nat” Kail (the son of Joseph Kail and Fannie/Fanny). Joseph was born in Austria, the son of Meyer Kail and Celia Kress. Fannie was born in either New York or Austria, to parents from Austria.

Thomas’ paternal grandmother was Harriett Lenox (the daughter of Jack Lenox and Sarah E. Shainman). Harriett was born in Maine, to parents from Russia. Jack was the son of Bessie.

Thomas’ maternal grandparents were Herbert S. Green and Edythe Freiberg.

Sources: Obituary of Thomas’ paternal grandfather, Nathan Kail – http://www.findagrave.com

Obituary of Thomas’ paternal great-uncle (grandmother’s brother), Fred Lenox – http://www.legacy.com

Obituary of Thomas’ maternal grandfather, Herbert S. Green – http://www.legacy.com

St. Vincent – BRIT Awards 2015 – Arrivals – 02 Arena – London, UK – Photo Credit: Landmark / PR Photos

Birth Name: Anne Erin Clark

Place of Birth: Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 28, 1982

Ethnicity: Irish, as well as one quarter Ashkenazi Jewish

St. Vincent is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

St. Vincent is the daughter of Sharon Christine and Richard “Rick” Clark. She has stated that one of her grandmothers is Jewish.

St. Vincent has specified:

Psyched to be in the place that 23andme says makes up 80% of my DNA — Ireland tonight! (Other 20% Ashkenazi Jewish, since you asked.)

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com

Eden Riegel – 36th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards – Arrivals – Westin Bonaventure Hotel – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Keywords: – 0 – – Photo Credit: Tony Lowe / PR Photos

Birth Name: Eden Sonja Jane Riegel

Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., U.S.

Date of Birth: January 1, 1981

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

Eden Riegel is an American actress.

Eden is the daughter of Lenore (Engelmann) and Kurt Wetherhold Riegel. She has a brother, Sam, who is a a voice actor, and a half-sister, Tatiana S. Riegel, who is a film editor.

Eden is married to Canadian actor Andrew Miller, with whom she has two children.

Eden’s paternal grandfather was Oscar Wetherhold “Tom” Riegel (the son of Lewis Edgar Riegel and Florence Emma Wetherhold). Oscar was born in Pennsylvania. Lewis was the son of John Riegel and Rebecca. Florence was the daughter of Oscar B. Wetherhold and M. Alice Reinweld.

Eden’s paternal grandmother was Jane Cordelia Butterworth (the daughter of Charles Melcher Butterworth and Mary Keeler). Jane was born in Pennsylvania. Charles was the son of Thomas Buttenworth and Anna. Mary was the daughter of Isaac Keeler/Keller and Cordelia Pullen.

Eden’s maternal grandfather was named Joseph Engelmann.

Eden’s maternal grandmother was Iris Salomon (the daughter of Maximus “Max” Solomon and Bertha Meyer). Iris was born in Germany, and was a Holocaust survivor. Bertha was the daughter of Louis Meyer and Rosa Katzauer.

Sources: Obituary of Eden’s paternal grandfather, Oscar Wetherhold “Tom” Riegel – http://www.nytimes.com

Obituary of Eden’s paternal grandmother, Jane Cordelia (Butterworth) Riegel – http://www.alleghanyjournal.com

Genealogy of Eden Riegel (focusing on her mother’s side) – http://www.geni.com

Eden’s maternal grandmother, Iris Salomon, on the 1940 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

Tamara Braun – “The Boatman” Los Angeles Screening – Arrivals – Arena Cinelounge, 1625 N Las Palmas Avenue – Hollywood, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Guillermo Proano / PR Photos

Birth Name: Tamara Eve Braun

Place of Birth: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 18, 1971

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Tamara Braun is an American actress.

Tamara is the daughter of Renata/Renate E. (Deutsch) Bennett and Bennett O. Braun.

Tamara’s maternal grandfather was Erwin Samuel Deutsch (the son of Stefan S. Deutsch and Frederike Frieda Hahn). Erwin was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), and was a Holocaust survivor. Frederike was born in Warsaw.

Tamara’s maternal grandmother was Steffi Buch (the daughter of Robert Buch and Irma Österreicher). Steffi was born in Breslau. Robert was born in La Paz, Bolivia, the son of parents from Germany, Moritz Louis Buch and Mathilde Pollack, from Ratibor. Irma was born in Teplitz-Schönau, Sudetenland, the daughter of Albert Oesterreicher and Franziska Fauwers, who was from Prague.

Sources: Genealogy of Tamara Braun (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Information about Tamara’s maternal grandparents, Erwin Samuel Deutsch and Steffi Buch – http://collections.ushmm.org

Obituary of Tamara’s maternal grandfather, Erwin Samuel Deutsch – http://www.cressfuneralservice.com

Elizabeth Hendrickson – 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards – Arrivals – Beverly Hilton Hotel – Beverly Hills, CA, USA – Keywords: Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: Andrew Evans / PR Photos

Birth Name: Elizabeth Courtney Hendrickson

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

Date of Birth: July 3, 1979

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, other

Elizabeth Hendrickson is an American actress.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Kim (Colodny) Radovich and a father surnamed Hendrickson. Elizabeth was raised in Northport, New York.

Elizabeth’s maternal grandfather is actor Lester “Les” Colodny (the son of Ben Colodny and Ida). Lester was born into a Jewish family. Ben was born in Maryland, to parents from Russia. Ida was born in New Jersey, to parents from Russia.

Elizabeth’s maternal grandmother is named Dorothea Masterson.

Source: Marriage record of Elizabeth’s maternal grandparents, Lester “Les” Colodny and Dorothea Masterson – http://www.familysearch.org

Austin Basis – 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards – HBO Post Emmy Awards Reception – Arrivals – Pacific Design Center – West Hollywood, CA, USA – Keywords: Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: Izumi Hasegawa / PR Photos

Birth Name: Austin Lee Basis

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

Date of Birth: September 14, 1976

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Austin Basis is an American actor.

Austin is the son of Sharon “Shari” (Weidenbaum) and Arthur Leslie Basis. He has a brother, Jeremy.

Austin has said: “I’m Jewish, Brooklyn Russian, Romanian, Eastern European Jewish”.

Source: Marriage record of Austin’s parents – http://www.familysearch.org

James Cullen Bressack – Uncork’d Entertainment’s “Circus Kane” World Premiere – Arrivals – Laemmle’s Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre – Beverly Hills, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Photography by Eugene / PRPhotos.com 

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: February 29, 1992

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

James Cullen Bressack is an American film producer, screenwriter, and film director.

James is the son of writer and voice actress Ellen C. Gerstell Schwartz and writer Gordon Bressack. His aunt (father’s sister) is actress Celia Bressack.

James has said:

As a Jewish man, and a victim of anti-Semitic hate, I made a horror film that depicts the very thing that haunts my dreams. As an artist I wanted to tell a story to remind us that we live in a dangerous world; a world where racial violence is on the rise.

James’ paternal grandfather was named Alfred “Al” Bressack.

James’ paternal grandmother was Harriet Beatrice Nesin (the daughter of Samuel Nesin and Celia/Tsupa Chattuck/Chattick). Samuel was born in Krasilov, Russia (now Krasyliv, Ukraine). Celia was also born in Krasilov, the daughter of Chaya Wortis.

Sources: Birth record of James Cullen Bressack – http://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of James’ parents – http://www.familysearch.org

Information about James’ paternal great-grandparents, Samuel Nasin and Celia/Tsupa Chattuck/Chattick – http://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org

Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Date of Birth: May 24, 1975

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish, Croatian (father)
*Brazilian [Portuguese, possibly other] (mother)

Amora Mautner is a Brazilian film and television director, and actress.

Amora is the daughter of historian Ruth Mendes dos Santos and singer, songwriter, screenwriter, and actor Jorge Mautner. His father is of half Ashkenazi Jewish (Austrian Jewish, Czech Jewish, Croatian Jewish) and half ethnic Croatian ancestry. His mother has Portuguese roots.

Amora has a daughter with her former husband, actor Marcos Palmeira.

Amora’s paternal grandfather was Paul Veit Mautner (the son of Heinrich Mautner and Helene Chersohn/Obersohn). Paul was born in Vienna, Austria, to a Jewish family. Heinrich was born in České Budějovice, the Czech Republic, the son of Veit E. Mautner and Julie Juditha Löwy. Helene was born in Osijek, Croatia.

Amora’s paternal grandmother was Anna Illichi. Anna was born Anna Ilić in Yugoslavia into a Catholic family, and was likely an ethnic Croatian.

Sources: Genealogy of Amora Mautner (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.geni.com

Birth record of Amora’s paternal grandfather, Paul Veit Mautner – http://www.familysearch.org

Marcia Clark – 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards – Arrivals – Microsoft Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Court – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Photo Credit: PRPhotos.com

Birth Name: Marcia Rachel Kleks

Place of Birth: Alameda, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 31, 1953

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Marcia Clark is an American prosecutor, author, and television correspondent. She was the lead prosecutor in the O. J. Simpson murder trial.

Marcia is the daughter of Roslyn (Mazur) and Abraham Itzhak Kleks. Her father is Israeli, from Tel Aviv. She had a religious Jewish upbringing. She has two children with her former husband, computer programmer Gordon Clark.

Jeremy Luke – 2013 TCA Summer Press Tour – TNT’s 25th Anniversary Party – The Beverly Hilton Hotel – Beverly Hills, CA, USA – Keywords: 2013 Summer Television Critic Association’s Press Tour – Day 1 Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: Andrew Evans / PR Photos 

Place of Birth: Staten Island, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 23, 1978

Ethnicity: Puerto Rican, Italian, Ashkenazi Jewish

Jeremy Luke is an American actor.

Jeremy Luke is the son of Esther (Cruz) Hannan. He has a sister, Denise. He has been described as being of Puerto Rican, Italian, and Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

Sources: Marriage record of Jeremy’s mother and stepfather, Joseph G. Hannan and Esther Cruz Bernstein – http://www.familysearch.org

Peter Sollett – “Freeheld” San Francisco Special Screening – Arrivals – Castro Theatre – San Francisco, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Jonathan Shensa / PR Photos

Birth Name: Peter Sean Sollett

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

Date of Birth: January 9, 1976

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Peter Sollett is an American film director and screenwriter.

Peter is the son of Helene Wendy (Kandler) and Robert Myles “Rob” Sollett. Peter’s parents are Jewish.

Peter’s maternal grandfather is named Steven Ian “Steve” Kandler.

Source: Marriage record of Peter’s parents – http://www.familysearch.org

Birth Name: Eugene Maurice Orowitz

Date of Birth: October 31, 1936

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

Date of Death: July 1, 1991

Place of Death: Malibu, California, U.S.

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

Michael Landon was an American actor, writer, director, and producer.

Michael was the son of Kathleen Ignatius “Peggy” (O’Neill), a dancer and comedian, and Eli Maurice Orowitz. His father was Jewish and his mother was of Irish descent. Michael was raised Jewish and had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

Michael was married to makeup artist Cindy Clerico, until his death. He had two children with his former wife, Dodie Levy-Fraser; five children with his former wife, Marjorie Lynn Noe, and two children with Cindy. He was the father of screenwriter Christopher Landon (with Marjorie) and actress Jennifer Landon (with Cindy).

Michael’s paternal grandparents were Moses Orovitz and Bessie Rosenfeld Solositzky (the daughter of Lazarus Solositzky and Eva).

Michael’s maternal grandfather was William Joseph/John O’Neill and Mary. Mary was born in England, to an Irish father.

Sources: Genealogy of Michael Landon – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Michael Landon (focusing on his father’s side) – https://old.findagrave.com

Birth Name: Joshua Ballinger Lippincott Rosen

Place of Birth: Manhattan Beach, California, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 10, 1997

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*English, as well as distant French Huguenot and Welsh (mother)

Josh Rosen is an American football quarterback. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins.

He is the son of Liz Lippincott, a journalist, and Charles Rosen, an orthopedic spine surgeon. His father is Jewish. His mother is a Quaker, with deep roots in the Quaker communities of Pennsylvania. Josh had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

Josh is likely named after his maternal great-great-great-grandfather, Joshua Ballinger Lippincott, who founded publishing house J. B. Lippincott & Co., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later incorporated as J. B. Lippincott Company. The Lippincott family traces back to Restore Lippincott, who was born, c. 1653, in Stonehurst, Plymouth, Devon, England.

Another of Josh’s maternal great-great-great-grandfathers was industrialist Joshua Wharton, who worked in mining, manufacturing, and education, co-founded the Bethlehem Steel company, founded the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and co-founded Swarthmore College. Joshua Wharton’s mother, Deborah Fisher Wharton, was a prominent Quaker minister, suffragist, and social reformer.

Josh’s paternal grandparents are named Robert Rosen and Shirley.

Josh’s maternal grandfather was Barton Hirst Lippincott (the son of Joshua Bertram Lippincott, Jr. and Elsie/Elisabeth DuPuy Graham Hirst). Barton was born in Rhode Island, and was a publisher. Joshua was the son of Joshua Bertram Lippincott and Joanna Wharton. Elsie was the daughter of Barton Cooke Hirst and Elizabeth DuPuy Graham.

Josh’s maternal grandmother is Beatrice Woolsey Bronson (the daughter of Francis Woolsey Bronson and Helen Louise Silkman). Beatrice was born in New York. Francis was the son of Addison Woolsey Bronson and Clara Howard West. Helen was the daughter of Theodore Hannibal Silkman and Mary Virginia Oakley.

Josh’s matrilineal ancestry can be traced back to Frances Slany, who was born, c. 1582, in Essex, England.

Sources: Genealogy of Josh Rosen – https://www.geni.com

Obituary of Josh’s maternal grandfather, Barton Hurst Lippincott – http://www.pennock.ws

Genealogy of Josh’s maternal grandmother, Beatrice Woolsey Bronson (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.ancestry.com

Marriage record of Josh’s maternal great-grandparents, Francis Woolsey Bronson and Helen Louise Silkman – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Josh’s maternal great-great-great-grandmother, Arme Catlin – https://www.ancestry.com

Birth Name: Wallace Michael Shawn

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

Date of Birth: November 12, 1943

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Wallace Shawn is an American actor. He is the son of Cecille (Lyon) and William Shawn (William Chon), a magazine editor. His brother is Allen Shawn, a composer.

Wallace’s paternal grandfather was Benjamin William Chon (the son of William Louis Chon/Cohen and Esther Elizabeth Singer). Benjamin was born in either New York, United States, to Polish Jewish parents, or in Warsaw, Poland.

Wallace’s paternal grandmother was Anna Bransky (the daughter of Morris Bransky and Minna Levy). Anna was born in England, to Polish Jewish parents.

Wallace’s maternal grandfather was named William Lyon. William was born in Russia.

Wallace’s maternal grandmother was Rose Levinson (the daughter of Rachel). Rose was born in Sweden, to Russian Jewish parents.

Sources: Genealogy of Wallace Shawn – https://www.geni.com
https://www.wikitree.com

Wallace’s father on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Wallace’s parents on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Wallace’s paternal grandparents, Benjamin William Chon and Anna Bransky, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Benjamin and Anna on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Benjamin and Anna on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Wallace’s mother on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Cecille on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Wallace’s maternal grandparents, William Lyon and Rose Levinson, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
William Lyon and Rose Levinson on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Photo by s_bukley/www.bigstockphoto.com/

Birth Name: Jacob Krantz

Date of Birth: 19 September, 1900

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

Date of Death: 28 April, 1977

Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ricardo Cortez was an American actor.

He was the son of Sarah (Lefkowitz) and Moses/Morris Krantz, who were Austrian Jews. His brother was cinematographer Stanley Cortez.

Birth Name: Christopher Beau Landon

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: February 27, 1975

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish and Irish (father)
*English, Welsh (mother)

Christopher Landon is a screenwriter and director.

He is the son of actor and director Michael Landon, and actress Lynn Noe. His half-sister is actress Jennifer Landon.

Christopher’s paternal grandfather was Eli Maurice Orowitz. Eli was of Russian Jewish descent.

Christopher’s paternal grandmother was dancer Peggy O’Neal. Peggy was of Irish ancestry.

Christopher’s maternal grandfather was John Graham Noe (the son of Arvin Graham Noe and Mittie Varnsdale).

Christopher’s maternal grandmother was Virginia Plock (the daughter of John Wesley Plock and Virginia Jenkins). Christopher’s grandmother was of English and Welsh descent.

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Yair Lapid – 2012 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference – Walter Washington Convention Center – Washington, DC, USA – Photo Credit: Laurence Agron / PR Photos

Place of Birth: Tel Aviv, Israel

Date of Birth: 5 November, 1963

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Yair Lapid is an Israeli journalist and politician. He is the chairman of the Yesh Atid Party. He was also Minister of Finance, from 2013 and 2014.

Yair is the son of Shulamit Lapid, a novelist and playwright, and Tommy Lapid, a radio and television presenter, playwright, journalist, politician, and government minister.

Yair’s father was born in Novi Sad, Serbia (then Kingdom of Yugoslavia), to a Hungarian Jewish family; Yair’s paternal grandfather was killed by the Nazis in 1945. The family moved to Israel in 1948. Yair’s mother was born in Tel Aviv.

Yair is married to journalist Lihi Lapid. He has a son with his former wife, Tamar Friedman, and two children with Lihi.

Yair’s maternal grandfather was Yechiel David Gilaadi (the son of R’ Shlomo Zalman Klein, A.B.D. Szilagy-Cseh, and of Feiga Schwartz). David was born in Transylvania, and was a journalist, novelist, and translator, who co-founded the newspaper Maariv. Shlomo was born in Oradea, Municipiul Oradea, Județul Bihor, Romania, the son of Rabbi Moshe Martin Klein, A.B.D. Szilágycseh (Cehu Silvaniei), and of Sarah Sheindel Deutsch. Feiga was the daughter of Yekusiel Schwartz.

Yair’s maternal grandmother is Helen Joseph (the daughter of Moses Joseph).

Source: Genealogy of Yair Lapid – https://www.geni.com

Brad Delson – “The Raid: Redemption” Los Angeles Special Screening – Arrivals – The Silent Movie Theatre – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Keywords: “Serbuan Maut” Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: Izumi Hasegawa / PR Photos

Birth Name: Bradford Phillip Delson

Place of Birth: Agoura, Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: Decmeber 1, 1977

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Brad Delson is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist of the rock band Linkin Park. Other members of Linkin Park are Rob Bourdon, Dave Farrell, Joe Hahn, Mike Shinoda, and, until his death, Chester Bennington.

Brad is the son of Joyce Rochelle (Kaplan) and Donn Michael Delson.

Brad is married to Elisa Sara Boren, with whom he has three children.

Source: Birth record of Brad Delson – https://www.familysearch.org

Place of Birth: Robert Gregory Bourdon

Place of Birth: Calabasas, Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: January 20, 1979

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Rob Bourdon is an American musician. He is the drummer of the rock band Linkin Park. Other members of Linkin Park are Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, Joe Hahn, Mike Shinoda, and, until his death, Chester Bennington.

Rob is the son of Patricia B. “Patty” (Yellen) and Gregory L. “Greg” Bourdon.

Rob’s maternal grandfather was Manuel Yellen (the son of Abram/Abraham Jeleń, later Yellen, and of Rozalia Freda Deutsch). Manuel was born in California. Abram was a Polish Jewish emigrant, from Łomża, Podlaskie. Freda was a Hungarian Jewish emigrant, from Sátoraljaújhely, Sátoraljaújhelyi, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, and was the daughter of Majer Markusz Deutsch and Pepe/Peppie Perlman.

Rob’s maternal grandmother was Mildred Lavietes (the daughter of Louis Morris Lavietes and Kate Rubinton). Louis was a Ukrainian Jewish emigrant, from Kiev, and his mother was Sarah Surinskaya. Kate was the daughter of Russian Jewish emigrants, Joseph Rubinton and Anna Sorkina.

Rob’s matrilineal ancestry can be traced back to his third great-grandmother, Esther.

Sources: Birth record of Rob Bourdon – https://www.familysearch.org

Birth record of Rob’s mother – https://www.familysearch.org

Birth record of Rob’s maternal grandfather, Manuel Yellen – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Rob’s mother (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.myheritage.com

Genealogy of Rob’s maternal great-grandmother, Rozalia Freda (Deutsch) Yellen – https://www.geni.com

Rob’s maternal great-grandmother, Rozalia Freda (Deutsch) Yellen, on Find a Grave – https://www.findagrave.com

Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Walter John Matthow

Date of Birth: October 1, 1920

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

Date of Death: July 1, 2000

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

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Walter Matthau was an American actor and comedian. He was known for working with actor Jack Lemmon.

Walter was the son of Rose (Berolsky) and Milton Melas Mateshensky/Matthow. His parents were Jewish emigrants, his father from Bila Tserkva, Kyivs’ka oblast, Ukraine, and his mother from Lithuania, then both in the Russian Empire.

He was married to actress and author Carol Grace, until his death. Walter had two children with his former wife, Grace Geraldine Johnson; and a son, actor and director Charles Matthau, with Carol.