The 25 Best Jewish Actors of All Time

From Hollywood pioneers to modern blockbusters and prestige TV, Jewish actors have shaped film and television across every genre. They have fronted global franchises, won major awards, directed and produced landmark projects, and built careers on both sides of the camera. Here are twenty-five performers whose work spans decades, languages, and mediums, with highlights that show how much range and influence they bring to the screen.

Barbra Streisand

Streisand is one of the most decorated entertainers in history with multiple Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys. She became a box office star with ‘Funny Girl’ and later won Best Original Song for ‘Evergreen’. Her directing credits include ‘Yentl’ and ‘The Prince of Tides’. She is also known for philanthropic work supporting education and civil rights.

Kirk Douglas

Born Issur Danielovitch, Douglas rose from stage work to become a leading man in classic Hollywood. He starred in ‘Spartacus’, ‘Paths of Glory’, and ‘Ace in the Hole’. As a producer he famously helped restore an important screenwriter’s credit on ‘Spartacus’, pushing against the blacklist era. He received an honorary Academy Award recognizing his lifetime contribution to cinema.

Dustin Hoffman

Hoffman’s breakthrough in ‘The Graduate’ led to a career of bold character work. He won Best Actor twice for roles in ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ and ‘Rain Man’. His filmography spans drama and comedy with titles like ‘Midnight Cowboy’, ‘Tootsie’, and ‘Marathon Man’. He has also directed and appeared frequently on stage.

Natalie Portman

Portman was born in Jerusalem and raised in the United States, balancing an acting career with academic studies. She won Best Actress for ‘Black Swan’ and earned additional nominations for ‘Closer’ and ‘Jackie’. Her credits include ‘Leon: The Professional’, ‘Annihilation’, and the ‘Star Wars’ prequels. She has directed features and shorts and speaks multiple languages.

Paul Newman

Newman’s screen presence anchored classics such as ‘Cool Hand Luke’, ‘The Hustler’, and ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’. He won Best Actor for ‘The Color of Money’ and earned numerous nominations throughout his career. Off screen he co-founded a food company that has donated hundreds of millions to charity. He was also an accomplished race car driver and team owner.

Gene Wilder

Wilder brought a unique blend of warmth and absurdity to roles in ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘Young Frankenstein’. He collaborated often with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor. His writing included novels and memoirs alongside screenplays. Wilder also advocated for cancer awareness after stepping back from acting.

Mel Brooks

Brooks is a true multi-hyphenate with an EGOT to his name. He created and starred in ‘The Producers’, ‘Blazing Saddles’, and ‘Spaceballs’. His Broadway adaptation of ‘The Producers’ became a record-breaking musical. Brooks’s work as a writer, director, and actor has influenced generations of film and comedy makers.

Jerry Seinfeld

Seinfeld co-created and starred in ‘Seinfeld’, one of television’s most influential sitcoms. He built a career on observational stand-up and later launched ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’. The series he created redefined network comedy’s approach to storytelling. He continues to tour internationally and produce projects for streaming platforms.

Michael Douglas

Douglas won Best Actor for ‘Wall Street’ and Best Picture as a producer for ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’. His film work ranges from ‘Romancing the Stone’ and ‘Fatal Attraction’ to the ‘Ant-Man’ franchise. He received the Genesis Prize for contributions to Jewish life and culture. He has also been recognized for advocacy on nuclear disarmament and health initiatives.

Scarlett Johansson

Johansson has led independent dramas and major franchises with equal success. Her roles include ‘Lost in Translation’, ‘Marriage Story’, and multiple entries in the Marvel series. She earned nominations for both lead and supporting performances in the same awards year. She also works as a producer developing film and television projects.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Baron Cohen is known for transformational characters that blend satire and improvisation. He created ‘Borat’, ‘Ali G’, and ‘Bruno’, projects that mixed comedy with social commentary. His dramatic turns include ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ and ‘Hugo’. He often produces and co-writes his films to maintain creative control.

Jeff Goldblum

Goldblum’s distinctive cadence and wit have made him a fixture in films like ‘The Fly’, ‘Jurassic Park’, and ‘Independence Day’. He trained at renowned acting studios before moving into major features. In addition to acting he performs as a jazz pianist with a regular band. He has appeared in acclaimed television series and streaming projects.

Harrison Ford

Ford became a global star as Han Solo in ‘Star Wars’ and as the lead of the ‘Indiana Jones’ series. His dramatic and thriller credits include ‘Witness’, ‘Blade Runner’, and ‘The Fugitive’. He has worked as an environmental advocate and serves as a pilot for humanitarian missions. Ford’s mother was Jewish, and he has spoken publicly about his heritage.

Tony Curtis

Born Bernard Schwartz to Hungarian Jewish immigrants, Curtis rose from the studio system to leading roles. His credits include ‘Some Like It Hot’, ‘Sweet Smell of Success’, and ‘Spartacus’. He earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Defiant Ones’. Later in life he pursued painting with gallery exhibitions worldwide.

Adam Sandler

Sandler built a career that spans comedy hits and acclaimed dramatic turns. His films include ‘Happy Gilmore’, ‘The Wedding Singer’, and ‘Uncut Gems’. He started on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and later formed his own production company. Sandler frequently collaborates with the same ensemble of writers, directors, and actors.

Ben Stiller

Stiller has succeeded as an actor, director, and producer across film and television. His acting credits include ‘Zoolander’, ‘Meet the Parents’, and ‘Tropic Thunder’. He directed standout TV like ‘Severance’ while continuing feature work. Stiller is active in humanitarian efforts with organizations focused on refugees and disaster relief.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Gyllenhaal’s roles range from ‘Donnie Darko’ and ‘Brokeback Mountain’ to ‘Nightcrawler’ and ‘Prisoners’. He balances studio projects with stage performances in London and New York. He has produced films and documentaries through his company. Gyllenhaal often trains extensively to prepare for physically demanding parts.

Rachel Weisz

Weisz won Best Supporting Actress for ‘The Constant Gardener’ and earned another nomination for ‘The Favourite’. She has starred in films like ‘The Mummy’, ‘Disobedience’, and ‘The Lobster’. Her stage work includes award-winning performances on the West End and Broadway. Weisz also serves as a producer on select independent features.

Leonard Nimoy

Nimoy’s portrayal of Spock in ‘Star Trek’ became a cultural touchstone. He directed successful features including ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ and ‘Three Men and a Baby’. His photography and poetry were exhibited and published widely. Nimoy engaged in philanthropy supporting the arts and science education.

William Shatner

Shatner led the original ‘Star Trek’ cast as Captain Kirk and later won Emmys for ‘The Practice’ and ‘Boston Legal’. He has recorded spoken-word and musical albums and written novels and memoirs. His projects span documentaries, animation, and live touring shows. In recent years he participated in high-profile spaceflight endeavors.

Elliott Gould

Gould earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice’ and starred in ‘MASH’. He appeared in the ‘Ocean’s’ series and had a recurring role on ‘Friends’. His career includes extensive stage and independent film work. Gould has been an advocate for film preservation and arts education.

Richard Dreyfuss

Dreyfuss won Best Actor for ‘The Goodbye Girl’. He starred in era-defining hits such as ‘Jaws’ and ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’. He later founded a civics initiative promoting education in American democracy. His filmography spans thrillers, comedies, and historical dramas.

Mandy Patinkin

Patinkin won a Tony for ‘Evita’ and became a cult favorite as Inigo Montoya in ‘The Princess Bride’. His television roles include long runs on ‘Homeland’ and ‘Criminal Minds’. He is also an accomplished concert performer in multiple languages. Patinkin supports refugee aid and numerous humanitarian causes.

Mila Kunis

Kunis emigrated from Ukraine as a child and quickly found success on American television. She starred on ‘That ’70s Show’ and voices Meg on ‘Family Guy’. Her film credits include ‘Black Swan’, ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’, and ‘Bad Moms’. She has produced features and series while remaining active in philanthropy.

Daniel Radcliffe

Radcliffe led the ‘Harry Potter’ films and then reinvented his career with eclectic choices. His stage work includes ‘Equus’ and ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’. On screen he has appeared in ‘Swiss Army Man’, ‘Kill Your Darlings’, and ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’. He supports literacy and health charities and regularly performs in television and audio dramas.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which performances you think deserve a spot on the list.