They also have Jewish roots in Lithuania
Surprising Celebrities of Lithuanian Jewish Heritage You Didn’t Know About
Lithuania, a small Baltic country rich in history, has a profound connection to Jewish heritage. For centuries, Jewish communities flourished here, contributing significantly to global culture and intellectual life. From the streets of Vilnius to the humble shtetls of the Lithuanian countryside, the legacies of Lithuanian Jews have left an indelible mark on the world. Many famous individuals across diverse fields, from literature and activism to science and entertainment, have deep roots in Lithuanian Jewish heritage. If you’re intrigued by their stories, Lithuania offers numerous Jewish heritage tours that will connect you with this remarkable history. Here’s a look at ten celebrities with surprising Lithuanian Jewish ancestry.
1. Leonard Cohen
Canadian songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, known for his hauntingly beautiful lyrics, had Lithuanian Jewish roots. His ancestors emigrated from Lithuania, bringing a legacy of spirituality and storytelling that would later shape Cohen’s work. Visitors can explore Vilnius’ Jewish Quarter to get a glimpse of the cultural richness that marked Cohen’s ancestral homeland.
2. Jascha Heifetz
One of the 20th century’s most celebrated violinists, Jascha Heifetz, was born in Vilnius, a city known for its thriving Jewish community. Today, Vilnius’ Jewish heritage tours offer an immersive look at the vibrant Jewish culture that nurtured talents like Heifetz and others from Lithuania.
3. Al Jolson
Dubbed “the world’s greatest entertainer,” Al Jolson was born in Seredžius, Lithuania. He emigrated to America but maintained his Lithuanian Jewish cultural identity, which influenced his showmanship. Visiting Seredžius and similar shtetls on a heritage tour offers a peek into the small Jewish communities that were once cultural powerhouses of Eastern Europe.
4. Emma Goldman
Renowned anarchist and social activist Emma Goldman was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. Her passion for social justice was influenced by her upbringing in a Jewish community with a strong emphasis on education and values. A tour through Kaunas can bring visitors closer to the places and culture that shaped Goldman’s ideals.
5. Bob Dylan
Iconic songwriter Bob Dylan, born Robert Zimmerman, also has Lithuanian Jewish ancestry. His family roots trace back to Lithuanian shtetls, where Jewish families like his preserved their cultural traditions. Travelers can explore Dylan’s heritage by visiting these shtetls, learning about the enduring spirit and culture of Lithuanian Jews.
6. Alan Dershowitz
The famed attorney and legal scholar Alan Dershowitz is another notable figure with Lithuanian Jewish roots. Dershowitz often speaks about the connection he feels to his Lithuanian heritage, which instilled in him a deep sense of justice. For those interested in learning about Lithuania’s Jewish heritage, touring historic synagogues and study centers provides insight into the scholarly tradition that influenced thinkers like Dershowitz.
7. Romain Gary
The French author and diplomat Romain Gary, who won two Prix Goncourt awards, was born Roman Kacew in Vilnius, Lithuania. His Jewish upbringing in Lithuania shaped his worldview, evident in the themes of resilience and identity that permeate his work. Tours of Vilnius’ Jewish historical sites offer a fascinating connection to the environment that molded literary talents like Gary.
8. Barney Ross
Champion boxer and decorated WWII veteran Barney Ross had Lithuanian Jewish roots. Born to parents from Lithuania, Ross carried his heritage proudly, becoming a symbol of resilience and courage. A visit to Lithuania’s Jewish heritage sites reveals stories of communities that fostered strong values, shaping individuals like Ross who would go on to make history.
9. Pinkas Zuckerman
Esteemed violinist and conductor Pinkas Zuckerman’s family also hailed from Lithuania. Zuckerman has spoken about the influence of his Lithuanian Jewish ancestry on his passion for music. Jewish heritage tours in Lithuania offer an opportunity to experience the artistic atmosphere and cultural richness that helped nurture generations of musicians like Zuckerman.
10. Bernard Berenson
Renowned art historian and critic Bernard Berenson was born in Butrimonys, Lithuania. Berenson’s insights into Renaissance art shaped art history scholarship and influenced collectors and museums worldwide. His Lithuanian Jewish heritage and early life in a small Jewish community provided him with a unique perspective that enriched his career. Visitors can explore towns like Butrimonys on Jewish heritage tours, discovering the cultural atmosphere that fostered intellectual curiosity and appreciation for the arts.
Why Explore Lithuania’s Jewish Heritage?
From synagogues and historic sites in Vilnius to small shtetls and cultural landmarks across Lithuania, the Jewish heritage of this country offers a rich and layered history. Guided tours provide meaningful access to places where famous personalities and countless others once walked, studied, and thrived. Walking through these sites, travelers can experience firsthand the resilience, creativity, and enduring legacy of Lithuanian Jewish culture.
Each of these ten influential figures carried the spirit of Lithuanian Jewish heritage into the world, making lasting impacts in their fields. For those curious about Jewish history, a heritage tour in Lithuania provides an unforgettable journey into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Lithuania’s Jewish communities—preserving a heritage that lives on.
Although the population of Lithuania is just under 3 million, Lithuania gave the world many stellar personalities that have and continue to impress, entertain and influence the world.
Here is our selection of 6 famous people you may not have suspected to have Lithuanian roots.
Bob Dylan
An incredibly successful musician and artist. For more than five decades, Dylan has been touring consistently since 1980 and plays guitar, piano, and harmonica. He has won innumerable awards, including the Nobel prize in literature, and has gained worldwide recognition for his genius.
Bob Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota. Dylan’s father was Abram Zimmerman, whose parents were Russian Jews that emigrated as a result of anti-semitic pogroms in 1905. His maternal grandparents were Jewish-Lithuanians who emigrated in 1902.
Charles Bronson
Charles Bronson was born to a very poor Lithuanian migrant family in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, in 1921. He went on to become one of the most iconic movie stars of the 20th century. His mother was born in America to Lithuanian parents. His father, born in the Lithuanian town of Druskininkai, was a Lithuanian Lipka Tatar, meaning he was a descendant of Mongolians. Bronson spoke only Lithuanian and Russian until he was a teenager. After learning to speak English in his teens, he went on to become one of the most recognizable US actors of his generation.
Pink
Born Alecia Beth Moore in Pennsylvania, Pink has strong Lithuanian roots with her mother a Litvak, or Lithuanian Jew, with roots leading back to Lithuania’s capital Vilnius. She has described her background as “Irish-German-Lithuanian-Jew”. The internationally famous US singer, songwriter, dancer and actress, Pink has won three Grammy Awards, a Brit Award and six MTV Video Music Awards. In 2009, Billboard named Pink as one of the Pop Artists of the Decade and was the second most-played female solo artist in the United Kingdom during the 2000s decade, behind Madonna.
John C. Reilly
The American comedian, actor, and singer who for some is best known for co-starring with Will Ferrell in popular Hollywood comedies was the fifth of six children born to a Lithuanian mother and an Irish father on the south side of Chicago.
John C. Reilly is well known for his roles in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), The Hours (2002), Chicago (2002), and more.
Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis, the energetic singer of the alternative rock group, was born on November 1, 1962, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His paternal grandfather’s family emigrated from Lithuania in the early 1900s; the remainder of his ancestry includes Irish, English, French, and Dutch. Anthony Kiedis is the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their breakthrough alternative rock album, 1991’s BloodSugarSexMagik, sold more than 4 million copies.
Sean Penn
The famous US actor Sean Penn, the two-time Oscar winner, appears to have Lithuanian roots. With his Litvak (Lithuanian Jewish) grandfather. Penn was born in Los Angeles on August 27th, 1960. His paternal grandparents were Jewish-Lithuanians. His mother is of Catholic Irish-Italian descent. Penn’s grandfather was at that time not called Penn, but Pinon, and was born in 1897 on October 12 in the picturesque town of Merkinė in the south of Lithuania.
