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425 figures · 10 fields

Famous Jewish Americans

Jewish Americans make up about 2 percent of the population and account for a wildly disproportionate share of the country's most consequential figures. Here are 425 of them, the scientists, filmmakers, musicians, comedians, writers, athletes, and leaders who helped build America.

Science & Medicine 46Film & Television 65Music 43Comedy 39Literature & Journalism 47Politics & Law 41Business & Tech 44Sports 42Activism & Society 26Arts & Culture 32
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Science & Medicine

Nobel laureates, physicists, and physicians who reshaped modern science and medicine.

Albert Einstein1879–1955
Physicist, theory of relativity, Nobel Prize 1921
Robert Oppenheimer1904–1967
Physicist, led the Manhattan Project
Richard Feynman1918–1988
Physicist, quantum electrodynamics, Nobel Prize 1965
Jonas Salk1914–1995
Virologist, developed the first polio vaccine
Carl Sagan1934–1996
Astronomer and science communicator, Cosmos
Gertrude Elion1918–1999
Biochemist, drug development pioneer, Nobel Prize 1988
Rosalyn Yalow1921–2011
Medical physicist, co-developed radioimmunoassay, Nobel Prize 1977
Murray Gell-Mann1929–2019
Physicist, discovered the quark, Nobel Prize 1969
Steven Weinberg1933–2021
Physicist, electroweak unification theory, Nobel Prize 1979
Sheldon Glashowb. 1932
Physicist, electroweak unification theory, Nobel Prize 1979
Stanley Cohen1922–2020
Biochemist, discovered growth factors, Nobel Prize 1986
Baruch Blumberg1925–2011
Physician, discovered the hepatitis B virus, Nobel Prize 1976
Herbert Hauptman1917–2011
Mathematician, crystallography methods, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1985
Stanley Prusinerb. 1942
Neurologist, discovered prions, Nobel Prize 1997
Marvin Minsky1927–2016
Computer scientist, co-founder of MIT's AI lab
John von Neumann1903–1957
Mathematician, pioneer of game theory and the modern computer
Edward Teller1908–2003
Physicist, "father of the hydrogen bomb"
Leo Szilard1898–1964
Physicist, conceived the nuclear chain reaction
Norbert Wiener1894–1964
Mathematician, founder of cybernetics
Edward Wittenb. 1951
Physicist, leading string theorist, Fields Medal
David Grossb. 1941
Physicist, asymptotic freedom, Nobel Prize 2004
Leon Lederman1922–2018
Physicist, discovered the muon neutrino, Nobel Prize 1988
Richard Garwinb. 1928
Physicist, designed the first hydrogen bomb
Saul Perlmutterb. 1959
Physicist, accelerating expansion of the universe, Nobel Prize 2011
Adam Riessb. 1969
Astrophysicist, dark energy, Nobel Prize 2011
Vera Rubin1928–2016
Astronomer, confirmed evidence for dark matter
Mildred Dresselhaus1930–2017
Physicist, the "Queen of Carbon Science"
Roald Hoffmannb. 1937
Chemist, Holocaust survivor, Nobel Prize 1981
Walter Gilbertb. 1932
Biochemist, DNA sequencing, Nobel Prize 1980
Paul Berg1926–2023
Biochemist, recombinant DNA, Nobel Prize 1980
David Baltimoreb. 1938
Biologist, reverse transcriptase, Nobel Prize 1975
Harold Varmusb. 1939
Cancer biologist, Nobel Prize 1989, NIH director
Arthur Kornberg1918–2007
Biochemist, DNA synthesis, Nobel Prize 1959
Eric Kandelb. 1929
Neuroscientist, memory research, Nobel Prize 2000
Gerald Edelman1929–2014
Immunologist, antibody structure, Nobel Prize 1972
Robert Lefkowitzb. 1943
Biochemist, G-protein-coupled receptors, Nobel Prize 2012
Michael Rosbashb. 1944
Geneticist, circadian rhythms, Nobel Prize 2017
Julius Axelrod1912–2004
Biochemist, neurotransmitters, Nobel Prize 1970
Joshua Lederberg1925–2008
Geneticist, bacterial genetics, Nobel Prize 1958
Salvador Luria1912–1991
Microbiologist, bacteriophage genetics, Nobel Prize 1969
Selman Waksman1888–1973
Microbiologist, discovered streptomycin, Nobel Prize 1952
Albert Sabin1906–1993
Physician, developed the oral polio vaccine
Gregory Pincus1903–1967
Biologist, co-invented the birth control pill
Peter Laxb. 1926
Mathematician, Abel Prize 2005
Baruj Benacerraf1920–2011
Immunologist, Nobel Prize 1980
Paul Greengard1925–2019
Neuroscientist, nervous-system signaling, Nobel Prize 2000

Film & Television

Directors, actors, and producers who built and defined American film and TV.

Steven Spielbergb. 1946
Director, Jaws, E.T., Schindler's List
Natalie Portmanb. 1981
Actress, Black Swan, Academy Award winner
Scarlett Johanssonb. 1984
Actress, Marvel Cinematic Universe
Adam Sandlerb. 1966
Actor and comedian, SNL, Happy Gilmore
Woody Allenb. 1935
Director and writer, Annie Hall
Harrison Fordb. 1942
Actor, Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises
Dustin Hoffmanb. 1937
Actor, The Graduate, Rain Man
Gene Wilder1933–2016
Actor, Willy Wonka, Young Frankenstein
Goldie Hawnb. 1945
Actress and comedian, Private Benjamin
Seth Rogenb. 1982
Actor and filmmaker, Knocked Up, Superbad
James Caan1940–2022
Actor, The Godfather
Paul Newman1925–2008
Actor, Cool Hand Luke, The Sting
Lauren Bacall1924–2014
Actress, The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not
Kirk Douglas1916–2020
Actor, Spartacus
Michael Douglasb. 1944
Actor and producer, Wall Street
Jeff Goldblumb. 1952
Actor, Jurassic Park, The Fly
Sarah Michelle Gellarb. 1977
Actress, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Winona Ryderb. 1971
Actress, Stranger Things, Beetlejuice
Mila Kunisb. 1983
Actress, That '70s Show
Norman Lear1922–2023
TV producer, All in the Family
Aaron Sorkinb. 1961
Screenwriter, The West Wing, The Social Network
Lorne Michaelsb. 1944
Producer, creator of Saturday Night Live
Ben Stillerb. 1965
Actor and director, Zoolander
Nora Ephron1941–2012
Screenwriter and director, When Harry Met Sally
Mandy Patinkinb. 1952
Actor, The Princess Bride, Homeland
Stanley Kubrick1928–1999
Director, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining
Billy Wilder1906–2002
Director, Some Like It Hot, Sunset Boulevard
William Wyler1902–1981
Director, Ben-Hur, three-time Best Director Oscar
Ernst Lubitsch1892–1947
Director, To Be or Not to Be, the "Lubitsch touch"
Sidney Lumet1924–2011
Director, 12 Angry Men, Network
Mike Nichols1931–2014
Director, The Graduate, EGOT winner
George Cukor1899–1983
Director, My Fair Lady, The Philadelphia Story
Mel Blanc1908–1989
Voice actor, Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes cast
Tony Curtis1925–2010
Actor, Some Like It Hot, Spartacus
Edward G. Robinson1893–1973
Actor, Little Caesar, Double Indemnity
Walter Matthau1920–2000
Actor, The Odd Couple
Peter Falk1927–2011
Actor, Columbo
Shelley Winters1920–2006
Actress, two-time Academy Award winner
Zero Mostel1915–1977
Actor, Fiddler on the Roof, The Producers
Judy Holliday1921–1965
Actress, Born Yesterday, Academy Award winner
Eli Wallach1915–2014
Actor, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Leonard Nimoy1931–2015
Actor, Mr. Spock in Star Trek
William Shatnerb. 1931
Actor, Captain Kirk in Star Trek
Henry Winklerb. 1945
Actor, "The Fonz" on Happy Days
Judd Hirschb. 1935
Actor, Taxi, Ordinary People
Bea Arthur1922–2009
Actress, Maude, The Golden Girls
Estelle Getty1923–2008
Actress, The Golden Girls
Fran Drescherb. 1957
Actress, The Nanny
David Schwimmerb. 1966
Actor, Ross on Friends
Lisa Kudrowb. 1963
Actress, Phoebe on Friends
Jason Alexanderb. 1959
Actor, George on Seinfeld
Rhea Perlmanb. 1948
Actress, Carla on Cheers
Debra Messingb. 1968
Actress, Will & Grace
Debra Wingerb. 1955
Actress, Terms of Endearment
Paul Ruddb. 1969
Actor, Ant-Man, Clueless
Jonah Hillb. 1983
Actor and filmmaker, Superbad, Moneyball
Jason Schwartzmanb. 1980
Actor, Rushmore, Wes Anderson films
Josh Gadb. 1981
Actor, voice of Olaf in Frozen
Logan Lermanb. 1992
Actor, Percy Jackson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Zach Braffb. 1975
Actor and director, Scrubs, Garden State
Ron Perlmanb. 1950
Actor, Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy
Wallace Shawnb. 1943
Actor and playwright, The Princess Bride
Alicia Silverstoneb. 1976
Actress, Clueless
Rob Reinerb. 1947
Director and actor, This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally
Elaine Mayb. 1932
Comedian, screenwriter, and director

Music

Singer-songwriters, composers, and performers who shaped American popular music.

Bob Dylanb. 1941
Singer-songwriter, Nobel Prize in Literature 2016
Leonard Bernstein1918–1990
Composer and conductor, West Side Story
Barbra Streisandb. 1942
Singer and actress, EGOT winner
Billy Joelb. 1949
Singer-songwriter, Piano Man
Carole Kingb. 1942
Singer-songwriter, Tapestry
Paul Simonb. 1941
Singer-songwriter, Simon & Garfunkel
Art Garfunkelb. 1941
Singer, Simon & Garfunkel
Beastie Boys
Hip-hop group, Licensed to Ill, Paul's Boutique
Neil Diamondb. 1941
Singer-songwriter, Sweet Caroline
Bette Midlerb. 1945
Singer and actress
Gene Simmonsb. 1949
Musician, bassist and co-founder of KISS
Lenny Kravitzb. 1964
Musician, singer-songwriter
Rick Rubinb. 1963
Music producer, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings
Pink (Alecia Moore)b. 1979
Singer-songwriter
Adam Levineb. 1979
Singer, frontman of Maroon 5
Regina Spektorb. 1980
Singer-songwriter
Irving Berlin1888–1989
Songwriter, "God Bless America," "White Christmas"
George Gershwin1898–1937
Composer, Rhapsody in Blue, Porgy and Bess
Ira Gershwin1896–1983
Lyricist, Pulitzer Prize-winning songwriter
Richard Rodgers1902–1979
Composer, Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music
Stephen Sondheim1930–2021
Composer and lyricist, Sweeney Todd, Company
Aaron Copland1900–1990
Composer, Appalachian Spring, "dean of American composers"
Philip Glassb. 1937
Composer, minimalist pioneer, Einstein on the Beach
Steve Reichb. 1936
Composer, minimalist pioneer, Pulitzer Prize
Frank Loesser1910–1969
Composer, Guys and Dolls
Marvin Hamlisch1944–2012
Composer, A Chorus Line, EGOT and Pulitzer winner
Benny Goodman1909–1986
Clarinetist and bandleader, the "King of Swing"
Artie Shaw1910–2004
Bandleader and clarinetist of the swing era
Al Jolson1886–1950
Singer and entertainer, The Jazz Singer
Herb Alpertb. 1935
Trumpeter and co-founder of A&M Records
Burt Bacharach1928–2023
Composer, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"
Randy Newmanb. 1943
Singer-songwriter and film composer, Toy Story
Barry Manilowb. 1943
Singer-songwriter, "Mandy," "Copacabana"
Neil Sedakab. 1939
Singer-songwriter, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"
Laura Nyro1947–1997
Singer-songwriter, "And When I Die"
Al Kooperb. 1944
Musician and producer, founded Blood, Sweat & Tears
Lou Reed1942–2013
Singer-songwriter, The Velvet Underground
Joey Ramone1951–2001
Singer, frontman of the Ramones
David Lee Rothb. 1954
Singer, frontman of Van Halen
Paul Stanleyb. 1952
Singer-guitarist, co-founder of KISS
Michael Boltonb. 1953
Singer-songwriter, Grammy-winning vocalist
Kenny Gb. 1956
Saxophonist, best-selling instrumentalist
Diane Warrenb. 1956
Songwriter, Grammy-winning hitmaker

Comedy

Comedians and comic writers whose voices defined American humor.

Jerry Seinfeldb. 1954
Comedian, creator and star of Seinfeld
Mel Brooksb. 1926
Director and comedian, Blazing Saddles, The Producers
Groucho Marx1890–1977
Comedian, Marx Brothers
Joan Rivers1933–2014
Comedian and TV host
Jerry Lewis1926–2017
Comedian and filmmaker
Larry Davidb. 1947
Comedian, co-creator of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Rodney Dangerfield1921–2004
Comedian, "No Respect" persona
Billy Crystalb. 1948
Comedian and actor, When Harry Met Sally
Jon Stewartb. 1962
Comedian, longtime host of The Daily Show
Sarah Silvermanb. 1970
Comedian and actress
Gilda Radner1946–1989
Comedian, original Saturday Night Live cast member
Judd Apatowb. 1967
Director and comedian, Knocked Up, Freaks and Geeks
Andy Sambergb. 1978
Comedian, SNL and The Lonely Island
Amy Schumerb. 1981
Comedian and actress
Howard Sternb. 1954
Radio host and author
The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard)
Slapstick comedy trio, decades of film shorts
Ilana Glazerb. 1987
Comedian, co-creator of Broad City
Jack Benny1894–1974
Comedian, radio and TV legend of the golden age
George Burns1896–1996
Comedian, Burns and Allen, Oscar winner at 80
Milton Berle1908–2002
Comedian, "Mr. Television," Texaco Star Theatre
Sid Caesar1922–2014
Comedian, Your Show of Shows
Carl Reiner1922–2020
Comedian and creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show
Don Rickles1926–2017
Comedian, master of insult comedy
Lenny Bruce1925–1966
Groundbreaking, free-speech comedian
Buddy Hackett1924–2003
Comedian and actor
Jackie Mason1928–2021
Comedian, Borscht Belt and Broadway
Alan King1927–2004
Comedian and actor
Andy Kaufman1949–1984
Performance comedian, Taxi
Albert Brooksb. 1947
Comedian, filmmaker, and actor
Garry Shandling1949–2016
Comedian, The Larry Sanders Show
Richard Lewis1947–2024
Comedian, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Robert Kleinb. 1942
Stand-up comedian and actor
Gilbert Gottfried1955–2022
Comedian and voice actor
Bob Saget1956–2022
Comedian, Full House, America's Funniest Home Videos
Paul Reiserb. 1957
Comedian and actor, Mad About You
Richard Belzer1944–2023
Comedian and actor, Law & Order: SVU
Totie Fields1930–1978
Comedian, TV variety-show favorite
Nick Krollb. 1978
Comedian, Big Mouth, Kroll Show
Judy Goldb. 1962
Comedian and writer

Literature & Journalism

Novelists, poets, and journalists who shaped American letters and news.

Philip Roth1933–2018
Novelist, American Pastoral, Portnoy's Complaint
Saul Bellow1915–2005
Novelist, Nobel Prize in Literature 1976
Isaac Asimov1920–1992
Science fiction writer, Foundation series
J.D. Salinger1919–2010
Novelist, The Catcher in the Rye
Arthur Miller1915–2005
Playwright, Death of a Salesman
Allen Ginsberg1926–1997
Poet, Howl, Beat Generation
Norman Mailer1923–2007
Writer, The Naked and the Dead
Joseph Heller1923–1999
Novelist, Catch-22
Elie Wiesel1928–2016
Writer and Holocaust survivor, Night; Nobel Peace Prize 1986
Susan Sontag1933–2004
Essayist and critic
Herman Wouk1915–2019
Novelist, The Caine Mutiny
Bernard Malamud1914–1986
Novelist, The Natural
Michael Chabonb. 1963
Novelist, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Pulitzer Prize
Art Spiegelmanb. 1948
Cartoonist, Maus, Pulitzer Prize
Cynthia Ozickb. 1928
Novelist and essayist
E.L. Doctorow1931–2015
Novelist, Ragtime
Grace Paley1922–2007
Short story writer and poet
Judy Blumeb. 1938
Children's and young-adult author
Erica Jongb. 1942
Novelist, Fear of Flying
Barbara Walters1929–2022
Broadcast journalist, 20/20, The View
Mike Wallace1918–2012
Broadcast journalist, 60 Minutes
Wolf Blitzerb. 1948
Broadcast journalist, CNN anchor
Gertrude Stein1874–1946
Modernist writer and art collector
Lillian Hellman1905–1984
Playwright, The Little Foxes
Nathanael West1903–1940
Novelist, The Day of the Locust
Ayn Rand1905–1982
Novelist and philosopher, Atlas Shrugged
Chaim Potok1929–2002
Novelist, The Chosen
Leon Uris1924–2003
Novelist, Exodus
Tony Kushnerb. 1956
Playwright, Angels in America, Pulitzer Prize
Adrienne Rich1929–2012
Poet and feminist essayist
Stanley Kunitz1905–2006
Poet, two-time U.S. Poet Laureate
Shel Silverstein1930–1999
Poet and cartoonist, Where the Sidewalk Ends
Maurice Sendak1928–2012
Author-illustrator, Where the Wild Things Are
Paul Auster1947–2024
Novelist, The New York Trilogy
Jonathan Safran Foerb. 1977
Novelist, Everything Is Illuminated
Nicole Kraussb. 1974
Novelist, The History of Love
Irving Howe1920–1993
Literary critic, World of Our Fathers
Howard Fast1914–2003
Novelist, Spartacus
Walter Lippmann1889–1974
Journalist, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner
I.F. Stone1907–1989
Investigative journalist, I.F. Stone's Weekly
Studs Terkel1912–2008
Oral historian and broadcaster, Pulitzer Prize
Carl Bernsteinb. 1944
Journalist, broke Watergate for The Washington Post
Seymour Hershb. 1937
Investigative journalist, My Lai and Abu Ghraib
Thomas Friedmanb. 1953
New York Times columnist, three-time Pulitzer winner
David Brooksb. 1961
New York Times columnist and author
Irving Kristol1920–2009
Essayist, the "godfather of neoconservatism"
Ann Landers & Dear Abby1918–2002/2013
Twin sisters Esther and Pauline Friedman, advice columnists

Politics & Law

Elected officials, jurists, and public servants who shaped American law and government.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg1933–2020
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Louis Brandeis1856–1941
First Jewish U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Bernie Sandersb. 1941
U.S. Senator from Vermont, presidential candidate
Henry Kissinger1923–2023
U.S. Secretary of State, Nobel Peace Prize 1973
Elena Kaganb. 1960
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Stephen Breyerb. 1938
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Merrick Garlandb. 1952
U.S. Attorney General, Supreme Court nominee
Chuck Schumerb. 1950
U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Dianne Feinstein1933–2023
U.S. Senator from California
Jacob Javits1904–1986
U.S. Senator from New York
Bella Abzug1920–1998
U.S. Congresswoman, feminist activist
Barney Frankb. 1940
U.S. Congressman, first to voluntarily come out as gay in Congress
Joe Lieberman1942–2024
U.S. Senator, 2000 vice-presidential nominee
Rahm Emanuelb. 1959
White House Chief of Staff, Mayor of Chicago
Robert Reichb. 1946
U.S. Secretary of Labor, economist
Jared Kushnerb. 1981
Real estate executive, White House senior advisor 2017–2021
Benjamin Cardozo1870–1938
U.S. Supreme Court Justice, influential legal thinker
Felix Frankfurter1882–1965
U.S. Supreme Court Justice, co-founder of the ACLU
Arthur Goldberg1908–1990
U.S. Supreme Court Justice, UN Ambassador
Abe Fortas1910–1982
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Henry Morgenthau Jr.1891–1967
U.S. Treasury Secretary under FDR
Herbert Lehman1878–1963
Governor and U.S. Senator from New York
Emanuel Celler1888–1981
U.S. Congressman, architect of civil rights and immigration reform
Abraham Ribicoff1910–1998
Governor, U.S. Senator, and Cabinet secretary
Arlen Specter1930–2012
Longtime U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
Barbara Boxerb. 1940
U.S. Senator from California
Carl Levin1934–2021
Longtime U.S. Senator from Michigan
Paul Wellstone1944–2002
U.S. Senator from Minnesota
Russ Feingoldb. 1953
U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, campaign-finance reformer
Ron Wydenb. 1949
U.S. Senator from Oregon
Al Frankenb. 1951
U.S. Senator from Minnesota, comedian and writer
Henry Waxmanb. 1939
U.S. Congressman, health and environmental legislator
Eric Cantorb. 1963
U.S. House Majority Leader
Adam Schiffb. 1960
U.S. Senator and Congressman from California
Jerry Nadlerb. 1947
U.S. Congressman from New York
Antony Blinkenb. 1962
U.S. Secretary of State
Jack Lewb. 1955
U.S. Treasury Secretary
Larry Summersb. 1954
U.S. Treasury Secretary, economist, Harvard president
David Axelrodb. 1955
Political strategist, chief Obama campaign adviser
Ron Klainb. 1961
White House Chief of Staff
Alan Dershowitzb. 1938
Constitutional lawyer and Harvard Law professor

Business & Tech

Entrepreneurs and executives who built major American companies and institutions.

Levi Strauss1829–1902
Founder of Levi Strauss & Co., invented blue jeans
Larry Ellisonb. 1944
Co-founder of Oracle Corporation
Michael Dellb. 1965
Founder of Dell Technologies
Sergey Brinb. 1973
Co-founder of Google
Mark Zuckerbergb. 1984
Co-founder of Facebook (Meta)
Sheryl Sandbergb. 1969
Former COO of Facebook, author of Lean In
Michael Bloombergb. 1942
Founder of Bloomberg LP, Mayor of New York City
Ralph Laurenb. 1939
Fashion designer, founder of Polo Ralph Lauren
Estée Lauder1908–2004
Founder of the Estée Lauder cosmetics company
Howard Schultzb. 1953
Longtime CEO of Starbucks
Milton Friedman1912–2006
Economist, Nobel Prize 1976, free-market theorist
Alan Greenspanb. 1926
Chairman of the Federal Reserve
Janet Yellenb. 1946
U.S. Treasury Secretary, Federal Reserve Chair
David Sarnoff1891–1971
Broadcasting pioneer, built RCA and NBC
Larry Finkb. 1952
Co-founder and CEO of BlackRock
Sumner Redstone1923–2020
Media mogul, controlled Viacom and CBS
Bernard Marcusb. 1929
Co-founder of The Home Depot
Andy Grove1936–2016
Co-founder and CEO of Intel
George Sorosb. 1930
Investor and philanthropist, founder of the Open Society Foundations
Carl Icahnb. 1936
Investor and corporate raider
Michael Milkenb. 1946
Financier, pioneer of the high-yield bond market
Bernard Baruch1870–1965
Financier and presidential adviser
Marcus Goldman1821–1904
Founder of Goldman Sachs
Julius Rosenwald1862–1932
President of Sears, built thousands of schools for Black children
Adolph Ochs1858–1935
Publisher who built The New York Times
Samuel Goldwyn1879–1974
Film pioneer, co-founder of MGM and Paramount
Louis B. Mayer1884–1957
Co-founder and chief of MGM Studios
Adolph Zukor1873–1976
Founder of Paramount Pictures
Carl Laemmle1867–1939
Founder of Universal Pictures
Michael Eisnerb. 1942
Longtime CEO of The Walt Disney Company
Robert Igerb. 1951
CEO of The Walt Disney Company
David Geffenb. 1943
Music and film mogul, co-founder of DreamWorks
Jeffrey Katzenbergb. 1950
Co-founder of DreamWorks
Barry Dillerb. 1942
Media executive, chairman of IAC and Expedia
Sheldon Adelson1933–2021
Casino magnate, founder of Las Vegas Sands
Steve Wynnb. 1942
Casino developer who reshaped the Las Vegas Strip
Calvin Kleinb. 1942
Fashion designer
Donna Karanb. 1948
Fashion designer, founder of DKNY
Leonard Lauderb. 1933
Chairman of Estée Lauder, art philanthropist
Marc Benioffb. 1964
Co-founder and CEO of Salesforce
Robert Kraftb. 1941
Owner of the New England Patriots
Mark Cubanb. 1958
Entrepreneur, owner of the Dallas Mavericks
Micky Arisonb. 1949
Chairman of Carnival, owner of the Miami Heat
Jerry Reinsdorfb. 1936
Owner of the Chicago Bulls and White Sox

Sports

Athletes and coaches who broke barriers and set records in American sports.

Sandy Koufaxb. 1935
MLB pitcher, Dodgers Hall of Famer
Hank Greenberg1911–1986
MLB first baseman, Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer
Mark Spitzb. 1950
Olympic swimmer, 7 gold medals at 1972 Munich Games
Aly Raismanb. 1994
Olympic gymnast, Team USA captain
Julian Edelmanb. 1986
NFL wide receiver, Super Bowl LIII MVP
Dolph Schayes1928–2015
NBA forward, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer
Red Auerbach1917–2006
Boston Celtics coach, NBA Hall of Fame
Sid Luckman1916–1998
NFL quarterback, Chicago Bears Hall of Famer
Ryan Braunb. 1983
MLB outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers, 2011 NL MVP
Alex Bregmanb. 1988
MLB infielder, World Series champion
Kevin Youkilisb. 1979
MLB infielder, Boston Red Sox, three-time All-Star
Shawn Greenb. 1975
MLB outfielder, two-time All-Star
Al Rosen1924–2015
MLB third baseman, 1953 AL MVP
Lenny Krayzelburgb. 1975
Olympic swimmer, four gold medals
Nancy Liebermanb. 1958
Basketball Hall of Famer, pioneer of women's basketball
Marv Levyb. 1925
NFL Hall of Fame head coach, Buffalo Bills
Red Holzman1920–1998
NBA head coach, led New York Knicks to two titles
Benny Leonard1896–1947
World lightweight boxing champion, boxing Hall of Famer
Barney Ross1909–1967
World champion boxer in three weight classes
Nat Holman1896–1995
Basketball Hall of Famer, Original Celtics star
Larry Brownb. 1940
Only coach to win NCAA and NBA championships
Ernie Grunfeldb. 1955
NBA player and executive, 1976 Olympic gold medalist
Dara Torresb. 1967
Olympic swimmer, 12 medals across five Games
Jason Lezakb. 1975
Olympic swimmer, anchored the famed 2008 relay
Kerri Strugb. 1977
Olympic gymnast, clinched 1996 team gold on an injured ankle
Sarah Hughesb. 1985
Olympic figure skater, 2002 gold medalist
Mitch Gaylordb. 1961
Olympic gymnast, 1984 gold medalist
Sue Birdb. 1980
WNBA guard, five-time Olympic gold medalist
Ken Holtzman1945–2024
MLB pitcher, winningest Jewish pitcher, two no-hitters
Ron Blombergb. 1948
MLB player, baseball's first designated hitter
Ian Kinslerb. 1982
MLB second baseman, four-time All-Star
Joc Pedersonb. 1992
MLB outfielder, two-time World Series champion
Max Friedb. 1994
MLB pitcher, two-time All-Star
Kevin Pillarb. 1989
MLB outfielder known for highlight-reel catches
Gabe Kaplerb. 1975
MLB outfielder and manager
Brad Ausmusb. 1969
MLB catcher and manager, three-time Gold Glove winner
Mike Epsteinb. 1943
MLB first baseman, "Super Jew"
Buddy Myer1904–1974
MLB second baseman, 1935 AL batting champion
Sid Gordon1917–1975
MLB outfielder, two-time All-Star
Moe Berg1902–1972
MLB catcher and World War II spy
Dick Savitt1927–2023
Tennis player, 1951 Wimbledon and Australian champion
Brad Gilbertb. 1961
Tennis player and coach, author of Winning Ugly

Activism & Society

Activists, thinkers, and reformers who advanced civil rights and social change in America.

Betty Friedan1921–2006
Feminist writer, The Feminine Mystique
Gloria Steinemb. 1934
Feminist activist, co-founder of Ms. magazine
Abraham Joshua Heschel1907–1972
Rabbi and theologian, civil rights activist who marched with Dr. King
Emma Lazarus1849–1887
Poet, wrote "The New Colossus" on the Statue of Liberty
Henrietta Szold1860–1945
Founder of Hadassah, Zionist and social welfare leader
Abbie Hoffman1936–1989
Political activist, co-founder of the Yippies, Chicago Seven defendant
Andrew Goodman1943–1964
Civil rights worker, Freedom Summer martyr
Michael Schwerner1939–1964
Civil rights worker, Freedom Summer martyr
Rose Schneiderman1882–1972
Labor organizer, women's suffrage and workers' rights advocate
Jerry Rubin1938–1994
Political activist, Chicago Seven defendant
Noam Chomskyb. 1928
Linguist and political activist, MIT professor
Emma Goldman1869–1940
Anarchist, writer, and free-speech advocate
Samuel Gompers1850–1924
Founder and longtime president of the AFL
Hannah Arendt1906–1975
Political theorist, The Origins of Totalitarianism
Saul Alinsky1909–1972
Community organizer, Rules for Radicals
Stephen Wise1874–1949
Rabbi, founder of the American Jewish Congress
Louis Marshall1856–1929
Constitutional and civil-rights lawyer
Joachim Prinz1902–1988
Rabbi who spoke before Dr. King at the March on Washington
Kivie Kaplan1904–1975
National president of the NAACP
Jack Greenberg1924–2016
Civil-rights lawyer, argued Brown v. Board of Education
Stanley Levison1912–1979
Close adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Andrea Dworkin1946–2005
Radical feminist writer and activist
Letty Cottin Pogrebinb. 1939
Writer and co-founder of Ms. magazine
Ruth Messingerb. 1940
Social-justice leader, American Jewish World Service
Ruth Gruber1911–2016
Journalist and humanitarian who escorted refugees to the U.S.
Arthur Waskowb. 1933
Rabbi and environmental and peace activist

Arts & Culture

Visual artists, photographers, designers, and illustrators who shaped American culture.

Mark Rothko1903–1970
Abstract expressionist painter
Man Ray1890–1976
Photographer and visual artist, Dada and Surrealism
Louise Nevelson1899–1988
Sculptor, monumental wood assemblages
Roy Lichtenstein1923–1997
Pop artist
Frank Gehryb. 1929
Architect, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Guggenheim Bilbao
Richard Avedon1923–2004
Fashion and portrait photographer
Diane Arbus1923–1971
Photographer known for portraits of marginalized subjects
Annie Leibovitzb. 1949
Portrait photographer
Al Hirschfeld1903–2003
Caricaturist, decades of Broadway and celebrity drawings
Stan Lee1922–2018
Comic book writer, co-creator of Spider-Man and the X-Men
Jack Kirby1917–1994
Comic book artist, co-creator of the Fantastic Four and X-Men
Jerry Siegel1914–1996
Co-creator of Superman
Joe Shuster1914–1992
Co-creator of Superman
Bob Kane1915–1998
Co-creator of Batman
Marc Jacobsb. 1963
Fashion designer
Isaac Mizrahib. 1961
Fashion designer
Kenneth Coleb. 1954
Fashion and footwear designer
Barnett Newman1905–1970
Abstract expressionist painter, color-field pioneer
Helen Frankenthaler1928–2011
Abstract expressionist painter, invented soak-stain technique
Lee Krasner1908–1984
Abstract expressionist painter
Philip Guston1913–1980
Painter, from abstraction to figurative work
George Segal1924–2000
Sculptor of plaster human figures
Ben Shahn1898–1969
Social-realist painter and muralist
Alfred Stieglitz1864–1946
Photographer who championed photography as fine art
Louis Kahn1901–1974
Architect, the Salk Institute and Kimbell Art Museum
Daniel Libeskindb. 1946
Architect, master plan for the World Trade Center site
Richard Meierb. 1934
Architect, the Getty Center
Milton Glaser1929–2020
Graphic designer, created the "I ♥ NY" logo
Saul Bass1920–1996
Graphic designer, iconic film title sequences and logos
Will Eisner1917–2005
Cartoonist, pioneer of the graphic novel
Harvey Kurtzman1924–1993
Cartoonist, founding editor of MAD magazine
Judy Chicagob. 1939
Feminist artist, The Dinner Party

This directory keeps growing. Think we missed someone who belongs here? Let us know.

More Culture

History
The History of Jews in America
Humor
Jewish Humor Explained
Guide
A Guide to Your Jewish Neighbor