Famous People Born In Jerusalem

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 1 
Natalie Portman
(American Actress Known for Her Films: 'Closer', 'Black Swan' and as 'Jane Foster' in 'Thor' Movies)
Natalie Portman
127
Birthdate: June 9, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini

Debuting at the age of thirteen, Israeli American actress Natalie Portman is today one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. Her movie list is impressive with successful projects like Black SwanJackie, Star Wars, Closer and Thor. While pursuing her passion for acting, the Academy award winning actress also ensured to complete her studies and graduated from Harvard University.

 2 
Solomon
(King of Israel)
Solomon
12
Birthdate: 0990 BC
Died: 0931 BC
Also known as Jedidiah, Israeli king Solomon, known for his wisdom, is a figure that appears in the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, the Quran, and Hadiths. He ruled over the United Monarchy. His sins such as idolatry and marrying foreign women led to the disintegration of his kingdom.
 3 
Josephus
(Romano-Jewish Historian and Military Leader)
Josephus
4
Birthdate: 0037 AD
Died: 0100 AD

Josephus was a Romano-Jewish historian. He played a major role during the First Jewish–Roman War, where he fought against the Romans as head of Jewish forces. However, he surrendered to Roman forces in 67 CE. As a historian, Josephus' works provide the first-known source for stories considered Biblical history. These stories include the narration of the Siege of Masada

 4 
Yitzhak Rabin
(5th Prime Minister of Israel)
Yitzhak Rabin
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 1, 1922
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died: November 4, 1995

Israeli politician, statesman, and general, Yitzhak Rabin, served two stints as the prime minister of Israel. As a young man, he joined the military and served for nearly three decades. He had an extensive political career as well and played a key role in embracing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He was assassinated in November 1995.

 5 
Hezekiah
(King of Judah)
Hezekiah
3
Birthdate: 0739 BC
Died: 0687 BC
Often likened to David, Hezekiah was the ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah. He succeeded his father, Ahaz, at 25. He reformed the Temple and abolished idolatry. His reign witnessed the Assyrians capture Israel and Sennacherib lead the siege of Jerusalem, following which a plague destroyed the Assyrian army.
 6 
Leigh Bardugo
(Young adult author known for her New York Times Bestseller Six of Crows)
Leigh Bardugo
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 6, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
 7 
Brian George
(British Actor Best Known for His Roles as Pakistani Restaurateur Babu Bhatt in TV Sitcom 'Seinfeld')
Brian George
1
Birthdate: July 1, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer

Brian George is an Israeli-British actor who gained much fame for playing the role of Pakistani restaurateur Babu Bhatt in the TV series Seinfeld. He is of mixed descent and often plays characters from India and Pakistan. As a young man, he joined the improvisational comedy enterprise, The Second City, and soon made his foray into TV and cinema as well. 

 8 
Reuven Rivlin
(10th President of Israel)
Reuven Rivlin
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 9, 1939
Sun Sign: Virgo

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin, a qualified lawyer, has been associated with organizations such as the Betar Jerusalem Sports Association. A supporter of the one-state solution to end the Israel–Palestine issue, he has previously made headlines for cancelling an Amir Benayoun show after the singer sang an anti-Arab track.

 9 
Yotam Ottolenghi
(British Chef, restaurateur, and Food Writer)
Yotam Ottolenghi
0
Listed In: Food Experts
Birthdate: December 14, 1968
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
 10 
Nehemiah Persoff
(Painter)
Nehemiah Persoff
1
Birthdate: August 2, 1919
Sun Sign: Leo

Nehemiah Persoff is a retired actor and painter. In an extensive career spanning over half a century, he appeared in more than 200 films, TV shows, and stage productions. As a young man, he served in the US Army. He then began his acting career in the New York theater and started acting in films and TV shows as well. 

 11 
Adam Rose
(Wrestler)
Adam Rose
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 20, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer

Raymond John Leppan, better known by his ring name, Adam Rose, is a retired South African wrestler. He once described himself as the “life of the party” and has also represented NXT and WWE. He was also part of an E:60 documentary titled Behind the Curtain.

 12 
John the Evangelist
(Author)
John the Evangelist
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 0015 AD
Died: 0100 AD

John the Evangelist, or St. John the Apostle, was one of Jesus’s Twelve Apostles. The son of a fisherman, he was one of the first disciples of Jesus. He is believed to have penned Letters of John and the Fourth Gospel. He and his brother, James, were called the sons of thunder.

 13 
Mili Avital
(Actress)
Mili Avital
5
Birthdate: March 30, 1972
Sun Sign: Aries

Mili Avital is an Israeli actress, writer, and director who has been active in the entertainment industry for three decades. She studied acting at the Circle in the Square Theatre School and soon made her film debut. She began her career in Israel and now appears in international projects as well. She is the recipient of one Israeli Academy Award. 

 14 
Joachim
(Saint Anne's husband)
Joachim
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 0100 AD
Died: 0010 AD
 15 
Jehoshaphat
(King of Judah)
Jehoshaphat
0
Birthdate: 0907 BC
Died: 0849 BC

Jehoshaphat reigned as the fourth king of Judah from 870 to 849 BCE. Jehoshaphat is credited with instituting several reforms, including religious reforms, in the Kingdom of Judah. He is widely regarded as a successful king whose reign was marked by a great measure of prosperity and peace in the kingdom.

 16 
Jonah Lotan
(Actor)
Jonah Lotan
0
Birthdate: July 3, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer

Jonah Lotan is an Israeli actor known for playing important roles in popular TV series like 24, Foyle's War, and Hostages. Lotan is also known for his contribution to the theater; he played the role of Joel Singer in J. T. Rogers' Tony award-winning play Oslo at the Royal National Theatre's Lyttelton Stage in September 2017.

 17 
Lior Raz
(Known for His Role ‘Doron Kabilio’ in TV Series ’Fauda’ and ‘Segev Azulai’ in Series ‘Hit & Run')
Lior Raz
6
Birthdate: November 24, 1971
Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Lior Raz is an Israeli actor and screenwriter best known for playing the role of Doron Kavilio in the political thriller TV series Fauda. As a young man, he served in the Israel Defense Forces as a commando. He later pursued an acting career on TV, eventually branching out into films as well. He often appears in thrillers. 

 18 
Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem
(Queen)
Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem
0
Birthdate: 1160 AD
Died: July 25, 1190
 19 
Manasseh of Judah
(King of Judah)
Manasseh of Judah
0
Birthdate: 0709 BC
Died: 0643 BC

Manasseh of Judah was the King of Judah who reigned from 697 to 643 BC. From 697 to 687 BC, he ruled as a co-regent and his total reign of 55 years is the longest in the history of Judah. He is usually depicted as a wicked king as he allowed the revival of several pagan rituals, including child sacrifice.  

 20 
Herodias
(Queen of Galilee)
Herodias
0
Birthdate: 0015 AD
Died: 0039 AD
 21 
Rehoboam
(King of Israel)
Rehoboam
1
Birthdate: 0972 BC
Died: 0913 BC

Rehoboam reigned as the King of Judah from 931 to 913 BCE. Since Judah and Israel remained in a state of war during his 17-year reign, Rehoboam built many strongholds and elaborate defenses, including fortified cities, thus playing a major role in shaping the Kingdom of Judah.

 22 
Ezekiel
(Prophet)
Ezekiel
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 0622 BC
Died: 0570 BC

The Book of Ezekiel, or The Prophecy of Ezechiel, of the Hebrew Bible talks about Ezekiel, the prophet. He is said to have lived near the Chebar River during the Babylonian Captivity. In about 592 BC, Ezekiel received a religious call, having viewed the “throne-chariot” of God in a vision.

 23 
Asaf Avidan
(Israeli Musician, Singer and Songwriter)
Asaf Avidan
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: March 23, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
 24 
Judas Iscariot
(Betrayer of Jesus)
Judas Iscariot
25
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Died: 0033 AD

Judas Iscariot was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is remembered for betraying Jesus Christ by kissing him and thereby revealing his identity as a rabbi in front of the authorities who had come to arrest the rabbi. Judas remains a controversial biblical figure and his name is used synonymously with treason or betrayal.

 25 
Uzziah
(King of Judah)
Uzziah
0
Birthdate: 0801 BC
Died: 0733 BC

Uzziah reigned as the tenth king of the Kingdom of Judah. According to the Biblical narrative, Uzziah reigned for about 52 years and was one of the most prosperous rulers of the Kingdom of Judah. It is believed that he suffered from leprosy during his reign for disobeying God.

 26 
Jehoiakim
(king)
Jehoiakim
0
Birthdate: 0634 BC
Died: 0598 BC

Jehoiakim reigned as the King of Judah from 609 to 598 BC. He ruled the kingdom as a vassal of the Egyptians. After the Egyptians' defeat at the battle of Carchemish, Jehoiakim changed allegiances and supported the Babylonians in order to avoid the destruction of Jerusalem.

 27 
Gideon Raff
(Israeli Film Director Best Known for His Creation of the Channel 2 Thriller Drama Series 'Prisoners of War')
Gideon Raff
0
Birthdate: September 10, 1972
Sun Sign: Virgo

Gideon Raff is an Israeli film director, writer, and screenwriter. He is credited with creating the popular Israeli television drama series Prisoners of War. He then went on to co-develop the American version of the thriller TV series Homeland. Over the course of his illustrious career, Gideon Raff has won several prestigious awards like Primetime Emmy Award and Edgar Award.

 28 
Daphne Koller
(computer scientist, engineer)
Daphne Koller
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 27, 1968
Sun Sign: Virgo
 29 
Jeconiah
(King)
Jeconiah
0
Birthdate: 0615 AD

Jeconiah reigned as the 19th King of Judah from 598 to 597 BCE. Jeconiah's reign of three months and ten days came to an end when Nebuchadnezzar II's army captured Jerusalem. Subsequently, Jeconiah and 3000 Jews were exiled to Babylon. This is seen as a significant event in the history of Israel as well as Babylon.

 30 
Isaac Luria
(Israeli Rabbi and Theologian)
Isaac Luria
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1534 AD
Died: July 25, 1572

Isaac Luria was a rabbi and Jewish mystic in the community of Safed in Ottoman Syria, now Israel. He is considered the father of contemporary Kabbalah, and his teachings are referred to as Lurianic Kabbalah. He wrote only a few poems and was known to deliver his lectures spontaneously. The Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue was built in his memory.  

 31 
Amos Oz
(Israeli Writer, Journalist and Intellectual)
Amos Oz
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 4, 1939
Sun Sign: Taurus
Died: December 28, 2015

Originally called Amos Klausner, Oz Amos was an Israeli short story writer, novelist, essayist, and educator, known for his advocacy of two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Professor Hebrew literature at Ben-Gurion University, he wrote forty books, many of which have been translated into forty-five languages, earning him  numerous international awards and honors, including Legion of Honour of France.

 32 
Iddo Netanyahu
(Israeli Physician, Author and Playwright)
Iddo Netanyahu
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 24, 1952
Sun Sign: Leo

Iddo Netanyahu is an Israeli physician and author. He is the younger brother of former Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and martyred IDF officer Yonatan Netanyahu. Iddo Netanyahu received an M.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He practices as a radiologist and also has a thriving literary career. He is currently concentrating on playwriting. 

 33 
Yasmin Levy
(Singer)
Yasmin Levy
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 23, 1975
Sun Sign: Capricorn
 34 
Baldwin III of Jerusalem
(King of Jerusalem)
Baldwin III of Jerusalem
1
Birthdate: 1130 AD
Died: February 10, 1163

Baldwin III of Jerusalem was the King of Jerusalem from 1143 until his death in 1163, at the age of 33. The seizure of the Egyptian fortress of Ascalon was one of the highlights of his reign. He is credited with improving the relations between Byzantium and Jerusalem; during his reign, the Byzantine Empire became a close ally of Jerusalem.

 35 
Suha Arafat
(Author)
Suha Arafat
8
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 17, 1963
Sun Sign: Cancer
 36 
Ada Yonath
(Scientist)
Ada Yonath
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 22, 1939
Sun Sign: Cancer

Ada Yonath is an Israeli crystallographer. She is best known for her work on the structure of the ribosome, for which she received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas A. Steitz. The first Israeli woman to win the Nobel Prize, she occupies the Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Professorial Chair at the Weizmann Institute.  

 37 
Elie Tahari
(fashion designer, chief executive officer)
Elie Tahari
0
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: January 21, 1952
Sun Sign: Aquarius
 38 
Cyril of Jerusalem
(Saint and Bishop of Jerusalem)
Cyril of Jerusalem
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 0313 AD
Died: March 18, 0386

Cyril of Jerusalem was a theologian of the early Church who succeeded Maximus as Bishop of Jerusalem towards the end of 350 AD. He is credited with documenting the instruction of catechumens and the order of the Liturgy in his day.  He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1883. 

 39 
Jehoram
(King of Judah)
Jehoram
0
Birthdate: 0881 BC
Died: 0842 BC

Jehoram of Judah reigned as the King of Judah from 849 BCE until his death in 842 BCE. He is generally depicted as a cruel man who killed his six brothers in order to secure his position as the King of Judah. He was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. 

 40 
Amalric of Jerusalem
(King of Jerusalem)
Amalric of Jerusalem
0
Birthdate: 1136 AD
Died: July 11, 1174

Amalric of Jerusalem was the King of Jerusalem who reigned from 1163 until his death in 1174. He is credited with strengthening the relationship between the Byzantine Empire and Jerusalem. During his reign, Jerusalem and the Byzantine Empire joined forces and launched an attack on Egypt, which was unsuccessful. He is also remembered for fathering three future rulers of Jerusalem.

 41 
William of Tyre
(Historian)
William of Tyre
0
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: 1130 AD
Died: September 29, 1186

William of Tyre was a medieval prelate and chronicler who lived during the 12th century. He spent two decades studying the liberal arts and canon law in the universities of Europe. He was made the archbishop of Tyre and was also appointed a tutor to the king's son. He is considered one of the best authors of the Middle Ages. 

 42 
David Grossman
(Israeli Author)
David Grossman
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 25, 1954
Sun Sign: Aquarius

Israel Prize-winning author David Grossman is best known for his iconic books on Israel, such as See Under: Love and The Book of Internal Grammar. Born into a working-class family, he also developed his left-leaning traits early in life and later stepped into political activism, too.

 43 
Amaziah of Judah
(King)
Amaziah of Judah
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 0802 BC
Died: 0776 BC

Amaziah of Judah was the King of Judah who reigned for 29 years; 24 years of his reign had his son Uzziah as co-regent. Amaziah of Judah is usually depicted as a righteous king who adhered strictly to the Law of Moses. His legacy revolves around his righteousness and his decision not to kill the children of his father's murderers.

 44 
Avishai Cohen
(composer, jazz musician, singer)
Avishai Cohen
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 20, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
 45 
Dotan
(Singer-Songwriter)
Dotan
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 26, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio

Israeli-born singer Dotan moved to the Netherlands as a toddler. He began his music career performing at private functions and soared to fame with his debut album, 7 Layers. Though he hardly appeared in his own music videos, he was later criticized for hiring troll accounts to boost his social-media reputation.

 46 
Abijah of Judah
(King of Judah)
Abijah of Judah
1
Birthdate: 0950 AD
Died: 0911 AD

Abijam was the second King of Judah who reigned from 913 BCE until his death in 911 BCE. One of the most popular kings of the House of David, Abijam aimed at winning back Israel to the Davidic kingdom. As a result, he fought in the Battle of Mount Zemaraim and emerged victorious. Subsequently, he captured Bethel, Ephron, and Jeshanah.

 47 
Nir Barkat
(Politician, Entrepreneur, Businessperson)
Nir Barkat
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 19, 1959
Sun Sign: Libra
 48 
Abijah of Judah
(King of Judah)
Abijah of Judah
1
Birthdate: 0950 BC
Died: 0911 BC

Abijah of Judah was the King of Judah who reigned from 913 BCE until his death in 911 BCE. One of the most popular kings of the House of David, Abijah aimed at winning back Israel to the Davidic kingdom. As a result, he fought in the Battle of Mount Zemaraim and won. Subsequently, he captured Bethel, Ephron, and Jeshanah.

 49 
Saint Stephen
22
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 0005 AD
Died: 0036 AD
Saint Stephen is considered Christianity’s first martyr. The Acts of the Apostles of the New Testament mention him as the deacon of the Church at Jerusalem who created enmity among various synagogues. He was eventually stoned to death after he denounced the Jewish leaders in a speech.
 50 
Yitzhak Navon
(5th President of Israel)
Yitzhak Navon
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 9, 1921
Sun Sign: Aries
Died: November 6, 2015