Oscar Nominee Rachel Weisz Jewish & Proud of it

British actress Rachel Weisz nominated for an Oscar in the ’Best Supporting Actress’ category has been talking to the Guardian about her Jewish background, following nomination for her role in the Fernando Meirelles film ’The Constant Gardener’.

Weisz has already won a Golden Globe for her role as Tessa Qualyle a human-rights activist married to a British diplomat played by Ralph Fiennes. The character she plays is pregnant in the film and Weisz, in a mirror play of her character is five moths pregnant herself.

ADRENALINE RUSH

The British actress said that she was "thrilled" and "excited" to be nominated for an Oscar, but she knows the competition is keen. She went on, "The category is full of very talented actresses. I have seen all of the films and they are all great performances."

Weisz has every chance of winning her category. The Golden Globes award is seen as an indicator as to who will take the Academy award. Referring to her win at the Golden Globes, Weisz said she was as surprised as anyone and her unborn child was probably feeling her excitement. “I don’t know if he’s ever had a shot of adrenaline like that before," Weisz said.

WHATS IN A NAME?

Weisz’s parents originated from Hungary and Austria and were both refugees who fled anti-Jewish persecution. Weisz has never thought to hide her Jewishness and never thought to change her name to help her in her career. In an interview, Weisz told the Guardian newspaper that she didn’t blame those who chose to ’waspify’ their names.

"You have to wonder: would Winona Ryder be Winona Ryder if she was still called Nonni Horowitz? Or Lauren Bacall if she was Betty Perske?" she asked.