Tough Jews: A Slide-Show

Ok Ok, I know throwing in Harvey was all in good fun.  But why stretch with the 1/4 Jewish Ford and others when there are full-on MOT's that were the toughest of the tough guys in films? 

Edward G. Robinson, real name Emmanuel Goldenberg.  Paul Muni, real name Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund.  John Garfield, real name Jacob Julius Garfinkle.  These guys were on-screen badasses before Bogart learned to hold a gun!

I urge everyone in these dark cold winter days to rent some good 'ole black and whites starring these fellas who literally invented the 'movie tough guy'.

If they're so tough, why did they change their name?

Anon, I'm not sure if you're kidding, but I'll try to answer seriously just in case.  From everything I've read, the three I mentioned were actually pretty tough guys in real life-fighing their way through the Lower East Side in the early part of the 20th century.  And I'm sure they changed their names for the same reason many of our grandparents or great grandparents did-to get a job.  Just because the studios were owned by Jews doesn't mean that they were always willing to hire Jews.  And do you think people would be scared or awed by a gangster named Manny Goldenberg or Yankel Garfinkle!  It's show biz!  You want some real tough Hebes who didn't change their names?  Look up Ben Seigel, Meyer Lansky, Longy Zwillman, Abe Reles, Mendy Weiss, Lepke Buchalter, Harry Strauss, Albert Tannenbaum, or Jacob Shapiro. 

Meyer Lansky? Abe Reles? OK, if we're not just talking Hollywood anymore, let's not keep it a boy's club, either.

After the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in 1911, a young cap stitcher named Rose Schneiderman spoke thusly to a group of well-intentioned liberal supporters who'd been urging compromise and baby steps to the more radical elements in the nascent garment workers labor movement:

"I would be a traitor to these poor burned bodies if I came here to talk good fellowship. We have tried you good people of the public and we have found you wanting...I can't talk fellowship to you who are gathered here. Too much blood has been spilled. I know from my experience it is up to the working people to save themselves. The only way they can save themselves is by a strong working-class movement."

This from an immigrant piece worker to the bejewelled and high-minded society dames whose hearts were in the right place but who lacked Rose's class consciousness.

Now that's a heroine, and one tough Jew. 

James Caan - tough Hollywood Jew.

P.S. Ben Kingsley ain't Jewish.

are half or quarter Jewish. What is your point?

Harvey Firestein was the only full Jew on the list... next time, don't bother.  Lame attempt.