Chris Pine Talks About His Jewish Great-Grandparents at a Jewish Deli

Just like William Shatner, the man who originated the role of Captain Kirk, Chris Pine, who plays the iconic role in the most recent “Star Trek” film reboot, has Jewish roots. He recently mentioned them during what to some is the greatest American Jewish experience — a decadent meal at a Jewish deli, specifically, Langer’s in Los Angeles. Pine was there to promote his directorial debut, “Poolman,” in which he plays, you guessed it, a poolman. The film has an all star cast, including Annette Bening, DeWanda Wise, Ariana DeBose, Danny DeVito and Jewish mom Jennifer Jason Leigh.

As he found joy in a rich and fizzy egg cream (“Does it get better than carbonated chocolate?” he wondered) and a beautiful deli sandwich on rye — the #19 with pastrami, Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian-style dressing which he called “profound” — he shared that Langer’s to him feels like home because, just like the Langer family that came from Russia, his great-grandparents came from Eastern Europe — specifically, Kiev, Ukraine.

“Somehow it feels like home even though I grew up in the Valley,” he told The Infatuation’s Brant Cox, in front of a table full of deli staples, including a plate full of pickles.

Pine’s maternal great-grandparents, Louis Goldfarb and Yetta Saporsnikova, were Jewish immigrants. Their son (and Pine’s grandfather) Max M Gilford, an entertainment lawyer, married movie star and model Anne Gwynne, considered to be one of the first “scream queens” and also known for her popular WWII pin-ups. The two had two children, including Chris’ mom, actress turned therapist Gwynne Gilford.

Pine is well-known for his role opposite another great Jewish star, Gal Gadot in “Wonder Woman.” On October 12, he and Gadot were among 700 stars to sign a letter from Creative Community for Peace demanding the safe release of the hostages in Gaza.

It is nice to have Pine pay tribute to his Jewish immigrant roots in such a delicious and wonderfully Jewish way. Yes, finding delight in a deli sandwich is a universal experience — but ordering and drinking an egg cream?! That’s no rookie move, and gives him some real Jewish cred.