Jamie Lee Curtis’s Religion: Rediscovering Her Jewish Roots

September 17, 2025
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1 min read
Jamie Lee Curtis religion

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

Sources

  1. Hey Alma: 18 things to know about Jewish actress Jamie Lee Curtis
  2. Hollowverse: The religion and political views of Jamie Lee Curtis
  3. Wikipedia: Jamie Lee Curtis
  4. Wikipedia: Tony Curtis

Last updated: September 24, 2026.

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Naveed

Naveed is a Software and AI Engineer based in Pakistan and the founder of whatreligionisinfo.com. Articles are researched from published interviews, news coverage, and public statements, with sources cited throughout.