From the red carpet to the football field: Famous people with Hungarian backgrounds!

Many world-famous artists, athletes and fashion icons boast Hungarian roots, even if many of them were born and built their careers in other countries. Talents of Hungarian origin have made their mark in Hollywood, music, fashion and sport for generations. In this article, we are going to take a look at celebrities with Hungarian ancestry who have achieved significant success in their careers, while taking some of their heritage with them.

Hungary’s rich history has led to the rise of many famous and successful individuals worldwide with Hungarian roots. Throughout the ages, there have been moments when Hungarians have left their homeland, such as in 1956, to pursue new opportunities and success abroad. The actors we are showcasing share a similar background, with Hungarian ancestors who emigrated in search of refuge from political or ethnic persecution, or in pursuit of better opportunities.

Jamie Lee Curtis – Hollywood icon with Hungarian roots

Jamie Lee Curtis was born in Los Angeles into a family of actors. Her father, Tony Curtis, was the son of Jewish immigrants of Hungarian descent, so Jamie has some Hungarian ancestry. After his parents’ divorce, she was raised by his mother and her sister Kelly Curtis also chose acting as a career. Jamie is known not only as a talented actress, but also as a writer, and has won many prestigious awards throughout her career.

Adrien Brody – The Pianist’s and The Brutalist’s star and his Hungarian connection

Adrien Brody was born in New York and owes his artistic inclination in part to his mother, Hungarian-born photojournalist Sylvia Plachy. His mother was born in Budapest to a Catholic aristocrat on her father’s side and Czech-Jewish ancestry on her mother’s side. Although Brody’s upbringing was not strongly influenced by either Catholicism or Judaism, his Hungarian roots are a crucial part of his family background. He has won Academy Awards throughout his career, with a particularly memorable performance in the movies called “The Pianist” and “The Brutalist”.

Gene Simmons – A rock legend who speaks Hungarian

World-famous rock musician Gene Simmons, originally Chaim Witz, was born in Israel to parents of Hungarian descent. Both his mother, Flóra Kovács, and his father, Ferenc Witz, were born in Hungary. Although Simmons made his musical career in America, he speaks Hungarian and is proud of his Hungarian roots. He is known worldwide as the founder and bass player of the band Kiss.

Calvin Klein – The pioneer of fashion from a Hungarian family

Calvin Klein was born in the Bronx borough of New York to a Hungarian-Jewish immigrant family. He became interested in fashion design at a young age, studying at the Industrial Art High School and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Although he did not graduate, his talent soon became apparent, and together with a friend, Barry Schwartz, he founded his own company, which later became world-famous as Calvin Klein Inc. His clothing brand is one of the best-known in the fashion industry, and his success is closely linked to his immigrant background and support of the Jewish community in the Bronx.

Tim Howard – The footballer of Hungarian descent

Tim Howard is one of the best-known footballers in the United States, having played for teams such as Manchester United and Everton during his career. His mother, Eszter Fekete, is of Hungarian descent and his grandparents were active members of the Hungarian American community. Pál Fekete, Tim’s grandfather, emigrated to the United States after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, where he worked as a successful researcher at Johnson & Johnson. Howard not only achieved success on the field but also remained active as a sports executive after his retirement.

The stories of celebrities of Hungarian descent show that Hungarian talent and perseverance can be found across borders. Although many of them were born and raised in other countries, their origins have shaped their lives and careers in some way. Whether it is film, music, fashion or sport, their Hungarian roots add a deeper layer to their success and a little something for us all to be proud of.

Read also:

• László Almásy: The Hungarian man who served as an explorer, reconnaissance officer, and spy
• 5 Hungarian songs that were sampled by well-known foreign artists – VIDEOS

Featured image: depositphotos.com