20 Most Beautiful Jewish Actresses in Hollywood

Hollywood is full of talented Jewish actresses whose work spans indie darlings, blockbuster franchises, and acclaimed TV. Below are twenty stars with notable credits, awards, and behind-the-scenes projects, along with a quick look at their backgrounds and the roles that helped shape their careers.

Natalie Portman

An Oscar winner and Harvard graduate, Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem and raised in the United States. She broke out with ‘Léon: The Professional’ and earned global recognition with ‘Black Swan’. Her blockbuster presence includes ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel’s ‘Thor’ films. Portman also directs and produces, championing projects through her production banner.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage from the Bronx. She became a household name with ‘Lost in Translation’ and later headlined as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her voice work in ‘Her’ and performances in ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’ show wide range. Johansson also has stage credits and a strong record of box-office success.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress and former IDF combat instructor who won Miss Israel before moving into acting. She gained international fame as Diana Prince in ‘Wonder Woman’ and appeared in the ‘Fast & Furious’ series. Gadot produces through her company, developing female-led stories for film and streaming. She frequently collaborates with global brands and filmmakers.

Mila Kunis

Born in Ukraine to a Jewish family, Mila Kunis moved to Los Angeles as a child and landed early TV roles. She voiced Meg in ‘Family Guy’ and broke out on ‘That ’70s Show’. Her film work spans comedies like ‘Bad Moms’ and thrillers like ‘Black Swan’. Kunis also invests in consumer startups and supports refugee-focused causes.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz was born in London to Jewish parents who emigrated from Central Europe. She won an Academy Award for ‘The Constant Gardener’ and later starred in ‘The Favourite’. Genre fans know her from ‘The Mummy’ and ‘Constantine’. Weisz also produces and has taken on stage roles in London and New York.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder has Jewish heritage through her family’s Eastern European roots and grew up in a creative household. She became a defining face of the ’90s with ‘Edward Scissorhands’, ‘Reality Bites’, and ‘Heathers’. Ryder returned to mainstream prominence with ‘Stranger Things’. She has received multiple award nominations across film and television.

Emmy Rossum

Raised by her Jewish mother in New York City, Emmy Rossum trained with the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus. She led the long-running series ‘Shameless’ and starred in films like ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. Rossum writes and directs, including episodes of prestige TV. She also records music and contributes to philanthropic initiatives.

Shira Haas

Shira Haas is an Israeli actress who earned international attention with ‘Unorthodox’. She has starred in acclaimed Israeli films and series such as ‘Shtisel’. Haas continues to bridge Israeli and American productions with roles in prestige dramas. She has received major festival honors and multiple award nominations.

Alison Brie

Alison Brie’s mother is Jewish, and Brie was raised in the Los Angeles area. She broke out on TV with ‘Community’ and ‘Mad Men’. Later she headlined ‘GLOW’ and co-wrote and produced indie features like ‘Horse Girl’. Brie frequently collaborates with leading comedy and drama filmmakers.

Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher converted to Judaism prior to her marriage and is active in Jewish community life. She has starred in comedies like ‘Wedding Crashers’ and thrillers like ‘Nocturnal Animals’. Fisher’s voice roles include animated hits such as ‘Rango’. She writes children’s books and develops film and TV projects as a producer.

Amanda Peet

Amanda Peet has a Jewish father and pursued acting after graduating from Columbia University. She appeared in ‘The Whole Nine Yards’ and ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ and later co-created the series ‘The Chair’. Peet has an active stage career with Broadway credits. She also writes for television and produces original material.

Lizzy Caplan

Lizzy Caplan grew up in a Jewish family in Los Angeles and studied at a performing arts high school. She gained early notice with ‘Mean Girls’ and led the series ‘Masters of Sex’. Caplan has headlined thrillers like ‘Fatal Attraction’ and genre projects such as ‘Cloverfield’. She balances film, TV, and limited series work.

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones is the daughter of Quincy Jones and actress Peggy Lipton, who was Jewish. She became widely known for ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘The Office’. Jones writes and produces documentaries and scripted projects, including ‘Quincy’. She continues to move between comedy, drama, and voice acting for animation.

Dianna Agron

Dianna Agron was raised in a Jewish household and participated in dance and theater from a young age. She broke through with ‘Glee’ and has since focused on indie films and international productions. Agron’s work includes festival-circuit dramas and art-house features. She also directs music videos and short-form content.

Zoey Deutch

Zoey Deutch is the daughter of Jewish filmmaker Howard Deutch and actress Lea Thompson. She has appeared in ‘Set It Up’, ‘Before I Fall’, and ‘The Politician’. Deutch often executive produces her projects, helping steer casting and development. She is active in fashion partnerships and philanthropic campaigns.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld has Jewish heritage on her father’s side and began acting as a child. She earned early acclaim with ‘True Grit’ and later starred in ‘Bumblebee’. On television she led ‘Dickinson’ and joined the Marvel universe with ‘Hawkeye’. Steinfeld also maintains a recording career with charting singles.

Kat Dennings

Kat Dennings grew up in a Jewish family in Pennsylvania and moved to Los Angeles for acting. She starred in ‘2 Broke Girls’ and appeared in Marvel’s ‘Thor’ films and ‘WandaVision’. Dennings balances genre roles with comedy features and indie dramas. She engages a large online audience with creative projects and advocacy.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal has Jewish heritage through her filmmaker father and works across film, TV, and theater. She earned acclaim for ‘Secretary’ and ‘The Deuce’. Gyllenhaal made her directorial debut with ‘The Lost Daughter’ and continues to produce literary adaptations. She frequently collaborates with top-tier writers and actors.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar was raised by a Jewish mother in New York City and started in commercials and daytime TV. She became a pop-culture icon with ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Gellar’s film credits include ‘Cruel Intentions’ and genre favorites that built a strong fan base. She has returned to television with new series roles and voice work.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow identifies with her Jewish heritage through her father, director Bruce Paltrow. She won an Academy Award for ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and continues to appear in prestige films and the Marvel franchise. Paltrow founded a lifestyle company that expanded into media and product lines. She remains active as a producer and occasional performer.

Share your favorites and any names we missed in the comments so we can keep the conversation going.