That's Funny, You Don't Look Jewish Quiz

Answer: Theda Bara

Theda Bara was born Theodosia Burr Goodman in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 29, 1885, the daughter of Polish and Swiss Jewish immigrants. She was one of the movies' first sex symbols, and was known as "The Vamp". She had beautiful dark, piercing eyes. Her stage name was sometimes said to be an anagram of the words "Arab Death". The publicity department of the studio where she worked claimed that the little girl from Cincinnati was the daughter of a French actress and an Italian sculptor who had been born in Egypt!

Bara was one Hollywood's biggest stars, and appeared in over 40 films between 1915 and 1926. Unfortunately, a fire at Fox Studios' storage vault in 1937 destroyed most of her work, and only four of her films survive today. She died on April 13, 1955, of stomach cancer.

Answer: Broncho Billy Anderson

Broncho Billy Anderson was born Max Aronson in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 21, 1880. He was one of the first Western film stars, appearing in the 1903 movie "The Great Train Robbery". He would go on to star in more than 300 films, but is best remembered for the 148 Western shorts that he made for Essanay Studios. After retiring from acting, he became a producer, and enjoyed a long and prosperous life. He died on January 20, 1971.

By the way, I did some research, and he spelled his name "Broncho Billy," not "Bronco Billy." "Bronco Billy" was a movie starring Clint Eastwood.

Answer: Edward G. Robinson

For some reason, many people believe Bogart and Raft were Jewish, but they weren't. Cagney was of Irish and Norwegian descent. But Edward G. Robinson, one of my all-time favorite actors, was Jewish. He was born Emanuel Goldenberg in Bucharest, Romania on December 12, 1893. His family emigrated to New York City in 1903.

As you have noticed, most early Jewish actors changed their names when they went into show business. Anti-Semitism was very much alive and well in the United States during the early 20th century. Robinson was very proud of his Jewish heritage and used the "G" as his middle initial to represent his real surname.

Robinson first gained fame for his portrayal of Italian gangster Rico Bandello in "Little Caesar", and went on to appear in over 100 films, his last being "Soylent Green". He died of cancer on January 26, 1973. Amazingly, Robinson never received a single Academy Award nomination during his long and distinguished career, but was awarded an honorary Oscar posthumously.

Answer: Tony Randall and Jack Klugman

Neither Laurel nor Hardy was Jewish; George Burns (real name: Nathan Birnbaum) was Jewish, but his wife, Gracie Allen, was Irish. Jerry Lewis (real name: Joseph Levitch) is Jewish, but, as everyone knows, Dean Martin was Italian. But both Tony Randall and Jack Klugman are Jewish. Tony Randall was born Arthur Leonard Rosenberg on March 16, 1920 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was a major star of stage, screen and television. Sadly, Randall passed away due to complications from coronary bypass surgery on May 17, 2004.

Jack Klugman was born Jacob Joachim Klugman on April 27, 1922 in Philadelphia. He is best remembered for his four appearances on "The Twilight Zone", his long-running TV drama, "Quincy" and, of course, his pairing with Tony Randall in "The Odd Couple". Klugman was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1974, and had part of his vocal cords removed in 1989, but continues to act occasionally. He is also a fan of horse racing. In 1980 his colt, Jacklyn Klugman, finished third in the Kentucky Derby.

Answer: Tina Louise

Tina Louise was born Tina Blacker on February 11, 1943 in New York City. She is best known for her role as glamorous Ginger Grant on "Gilligan's Island". Like many of the actors on the program, she found it difficult to find work after the series ended.

The actors received no residuals from the program and thus suffered financially. Natalie Schafer (1900 - 1991), who played Mrs. Howell, was also Jewish.

Answer: True

Strange as it may seem, Elvis Presley's maternal great-grandmother, Martha Tackett, was Jewish! Elvis seems to have been aware of his Jewish heritage and is said to have added a Star of David to his mother's tombstone.

Answer: Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart was born Jonathon Stuart Leibowitz on November 28th, 1962 in New York City. Stewart is the host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show", for which he has won a total of ten Emmy Awards.

Answer: Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper is best known for playing Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spin-off, "Rhoda". The character she played was Jewish, but she isn't. She also portrayed Golda Meir on Broadway in "Golda's Balcony". She won four Emmys and a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Rhoda Morgenstern. Not bad for a shiksa!

Answer: Joey Ramone

Joey Ramone was born Jeffry Ross Hyman on May 19, 1951 in Queens, New York. He was one of the founding members of The Ramones, a punk rock group that "Spin" magazine named the second most important rock and roll band in history, after The Beatles. Formed in 1974, The Ramones are considered by many to be the first punk rock band.

Incidentally, fellow band member Tommy Ramone (born Erdelyi Tamas) was also Jewish.

Answer: Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander was born Jay Scott Greenspan in Newark, New Jersey on September 23, 1959. He is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television show "Seinfeld", but he is also a talented stage actor, and won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1989 for "Jerome Robbins' Broadway".

He is also a dedicated poker player, and in 2010 became the spokesperson for the Jenny Craig weight loss program.