The Oscar Nominations have just been announced, and I was happy to spot a good number of Jewish names on the list. And even better than that, there were several Jewish parents (and parents-to-be) on the list, as well. It surely isn’t easy to be a working parent, so getting nominated for the most prestigious acting award in the world certainly deserves a few pats on the back. So, without further ado, a few pats on the back and congratulations to the following nominees:
– Natalie Portman. Learning that Natalie was nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Black Swan was sort of a “duh” moment, but we’re kvelling, nonetheless. The freshly-engaged expectant mother would be the first Israeli-born actress to win the award, and who knows, maybe if it’s a boy, she can name the kid Oscar. (Got a better idea? The deadline for our Name Natalie Portman Baby’s Contest is fast approaching!)
– Helena Bonham Carter. The English actress who comes from a wide range of international Jews was nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in The King’s Speech. Helena has mentioned taking parenting classes in the past to become a better mother, but she clearly doesn’t need any further education in acting.
– The Coen Brothers. My absolute favorite pair of Jewish film-making brothers have been nominated (along with fellow Jew, Scott Rudin) for Directing and Writing (Adapted Screenplay) for their remake of the classic Western, True Grit, which was also nominated for Best Picture. Joel and his wife, actress Francis McDormand, have one adopted son from Paraguay, Pedro McDormand Coen.
– Aaron Sorkin. Jews prove to make some of the best writers, and Aaron Sorkin did not fail to deliver with his screenplay for The Social Network, which was also nominated for Writing (Adapted Screenplay). Sorkin and his ex-wife have an 11-year-old daughter, Roxy, who I just tried to find on Facebook to no avail.
– Hailee Steinfeld. Ok, so the 14-year-old who is up for Actress in a Supporting Role for True Grit is NOT a Jewish parent, but she does have a Jewish parent who is no doubt beaming with pride right about now. The teen has been acting since age 8, and her sudden star-status has not only landed her the Oscar nomination but the chance to present with Justin Bieber at the Golden Globes a few weeks ago, which to me seems like punishment but to her was probably pretty cool.
