Naveed
Jamie Lee Curtis has Jewish heritage through her father, Tony Curtis, the son of Hungarian Jewish immigrants. She was not raised with Jewish religion or traditions, but as an adult she embraced her Jewish roots, celebrating Hanukkah and supporting synagogue restoration in Hungary.
| Religion | Jewish heritage (embraced as an adult) |
|---|---|
| Status | Confirmed by her own writing and interviews |
| Full name | Jamie Lee Curtis |
| Born | November 22, 1958, Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress and author |
| Family background | Father Tony Curtis (born Bernard Schwartz, Jewish); mother Janet Leigh |
What Religion Is Jamie Lee Curtis?
Curtis identifies with her Jewish heritage. She has written that she did not grow up with the Jewish faith, and her connection to it developed later in life.
Tony Curtis's Hungarian Jewish Family
Her father was born Bernard Schwartz in the Bronx to Jewish immigrants from Mátészalka, Hungary, and changed his name to Tony Curtis for Hollywood. Her mother, actress Janet Leigh, was not Jewish.
Reconnecting as an Adult
Curtis contributed a chapter to a book about growing up Jewish, describing moments that brought her back to her heritage. She joined her father in supporting the restoration of the Great Synagogue in Budapest and a synagogue in Mátészalka, his parents’ hometown. Jewish outlets such as Hey Alma have highlighted her embrace of Jewish identity, including celebrating Hanukkah.
FAQ
Is Jamie Lee Curtis Jewish?
She has Jewish heritage through her father and embraced it as an adult.
Was Tony Curtis Jewish?
Yes. He was born Bernard Schwartz to Hungarian Jewish immigrants.
Was Jamie Lee Curtis raised religious?
No. She has said she did not grow up with the Jewish faith.
Related Celebrities
- Timothée Chalamet's religion
- Adam Sandler's religion
- Anne Hathaway's religion
- Robert Downey Jr.'s religion
Sources
- Hey Alma: 18 things to know about Jewish actress Jamie Lee Curtis
- Hollowverse: The religion and political views of Jamie Lee Curtis
- Wikipedia: Jamie Lee Curtis
- Wikipedia: Tony Curtis
Last updated: September 24, 2026.
