Several famous Jewish American artists are of Ukrainian descent. Some of them adopted “more American names," perhaps to avoid potential discrimination based on their religion or ethnicity, while others maintained the name given to them at birth.
Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, were born in the United States to Ukrainian immigrants, and in 1945 wrote the song “Let it Snow.” In 1959 Frank Sinatra sang the tune in an Oscar Award winning movie.
Danny Kaye, born in 1913 as David Daniel Kaminsky, to an immigrant Jewish-Ukrainian tailor, became a famous actor, singer, dancer, and comedian. Mr. Kaye appeared in 23 films, including the movie The Inspector General, when he sang the "Lutche Bulo" section of the Ukrainian song "Yikhav Kozak za Dunai."
Walter John Matthau, born Walter Jake Matthow in 1920, starred in 10 films alongside his real-life friend Jack Lemmon, including The Odd Couple (1968) and Grumpy Old Men (1993). Among other accolades, Matthau won an Academy Award, and two Tony Awards. Mr. Matthau served in the United States Air Force during World War II, and flew missions during the Battle of the Bulge. Walter Matthau's father was a peddler from Kyiv, and his mother also immigrated from Ukraine.
Bob Dylan, born in 1941, was one of the most well-known musicians and singer-songwriters of his day, selling millions of records worldwide. He has won many awards including a Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mr. Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman in Duluth; his paternal grandparents emigrated to the United States from Odessa in the early 1900s.
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Dustin Hoffman was born in 1937, in Los Angeles, to an Ashkenazi family of immigrants from Kyiv and Romania. His paternal grandparents were from Bila Tserkva: his paternal grandmother was a Holocaust survivor and his paternal grandfather was killed by the Bolshevik police when he returned from the United States to rescue his parents. Mr. Hoffman has had an illustrious career in film, television, and theatre for more than 65 years. He won Oscars for best actor in Rain Man and Kramer vs. Kramer. He also won 6 Golden Globe and 2 Emmy Awards.
Leonard Nimoy, born in 1931, was an actor, director, poet, musician, and photographer best known for his portrayal of Spock in the Star Trek franchise for nearly 50 years, earning three Emmy nominations. Nimoy became so identified with the half-human, half-Vulcan character that he wrote two memoirs, I Am Not Spock (1975) and I Am Spock (1995), to explore the role's impact on his life. Mr. Nimoy's parents were from Iziaslav, Ukraine. His father walked across the border into Poland while his mother and grandmother were smuggled out in a horse-drawn wagon under bales of hay. Nimoy grew up speaking Yiddish and was always an active participant in the Jewish community. In 1997, he narrated the documentary A Life Apart: Hasidism in America, about the various sects of Hasidic Orthodox Jews.
The contribution of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine extends beyond the arts into all aspects of society, including science, business, and much more. We are proud of the accomplishments of Ukrainian Jews in the United States and around the world, and we are honored to support Ukrainian Jews today, particularly those who continue to suffer in the ongoing crisis.
