Jewish mama Selma Blair made an inspiring return into the public eye at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, when she used a cane. Selma opened up about her MS diagnosis in October 2018, and her reemergence on the red carpet — with the cane — was her first public appearance. We can’t stop kvelling over her, and her bravery.
The actress is mom to Arthur, born July 2011, and they’re adorable:
In fact, Selma Blair is our favorite! Here are 15 reasons why…
1. Born in July 1972, she was the youngest of four daughters. She attended a Jewish school in Michigan called Hillel Day School.
2. She attended Shaarei Tzedek Synagogue for preschool:
3. At age 20, she moved to NYC, attending NYU before transferring back to the University of Michigan to graduate in 1994. (She studied photography, psychology, fine arts, and English. Damn, girl!)
4. She’s starred in amazing films like Cruel Intentions and She’s All That, along with a ton of indie films and cult classics.
5. And how could we forget Selma Blair as Vivian in Legally Blonde?! One word: ICONIC.
6. She’s also starred in numerous television shows — she’s even played Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner in American Crime Story. (And she even met her!)
7. She’s proudly raising her son in an interfaith family. Just read this adorable Hanukkah – Christmas Instagram caption:
8. Selma also lets her son wear jewelry. Amazing.
9. Her Hebrew name is Bat Sheva! On an Israeli show in 2011, she said, “Toda Raba, shmi Bat Sheva, Layla Tov.” (Thank you very much, my name is Bat Sheva, good night!)
10. “When my life flashes before my eyes, I want this portrait by @markseliger to be front and center,” she wrote about her Vanity Fair Oscars Party look (which is stunning):
11. She’s really good friends with her Cruel Intentions co-star (and fellow Jewish mom!) Sarah Michelle Gellar. Sharing the above photo, Sarah wrote, “To say I’m proud, would be a gross understatement. When I have a cold, I want to hide from the world under my covers. But not Selma. She is facing this diagnosis, the way she faces everything, with dignity, grace and head on. I know the support and encouragement that she has received on this platform has truly been a source of strength for her. This is not an easy journey, but Selma will not let this define her. I love you James.”
12. In another post, Sarah wrote, “Our relationship began with me fighting for you, and I will spend the rest of my life continuing to fight for you.”
Selma calls her “a true sister.”
We’re not crying, you’re crying!!
13. OK, back to her son, ’cause they’re just so adorable. In March 2017, she let him pick a rescue dog, named Ducky. As Selma explained to People, “I’m a single mom, and I need somebody to talk about my day with, and it’s not always appropriate to talk about with my son because he’s a little too young. Fortunately, Ducky is 91 in dog years, so she can handle whatever I have to say!” After he passed away, Selma and her son adopted a new rescue dog.
14. She’s gotten back into riding horses! Go, Selma, go!
15. In 2004, she married Ahmet Zappa — a writer, producer, and son of Frank — at the home of the world’s most prominent “one-half wandering Jew,” Carrie Fisher! The couple divorced in 2006.
In short, she’s just the BEST!
Our Favorite is Kveller’s ongoing series honoring our “most favorite” famous Jewish moms and dads on the planet. And, like any good parent — you know the trope, “I love you and your siblings equally!!” — we simply can’t choose just one.
