SILVER SCREEN, SECRET STRUGGLES: JEWISH ACTRESSES IN FILM

From silent film to the mid-century silver screen, Jewish actresses around the world captivated audiences—often while navigating the pressures of assimilation, reinvention, and outright discrimination.
This talk presents the untold stories of Jewish women in cinema, from Hollywood to Europe to India. We’ll spotlight trailblazers like Theda Bara, the original screen vamp; and Hedy Lamarr, the Austrian émigré who was as brilliant as she was beautiful. Going beyond Hollywood, we’ll also explore the lives of Ruby Myers, the silent film queen of Indian cinema; and Libby Holman, whose sultry performances were as bold as her off-screen politics.
We’ll examine how these women balanced fame with cultural identity, fought against the erasure of their Jewish heritage, and, in some cases, reinvented themselves to survive shifting political and social landscapes. From studio-mandated name changes to the rise of fascism and Hollywood blacklists, their stories reveal a hidden history of resilience, defiance, and artistic brilliance.