Six celebrities with Ukrainian roots

When we talk about celebrities with Ukrainian roots, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mila Kunis, and Milla Jovovich often come to mind. These people proudly embrace their Ukrainian heritage and often talk about it.

However, there are a number of equally famous personalities who can also boast of their Ukrainian origins. SSPDaily told about some of these influential figures

Taisiya and Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga, a talented actress, is widely known for her Ukrainian heritage. However, many people may not know that she has a younger sister named Taisiya. Both sisters were born abroad to Ukrainian immigrants Mykhailo and Liubomyr and are fluent in Ukrainian.

Raised by their parents, they honor Ukrainian traditions and customs. During the war in Ukraine, Vira vehemently opposed the Russian invasion, supporting her homeland.

Lenny Kravitz

Recognized as a prominent musician and actor, Lenny Kravitz may not visually resemble a Ukrainian. However, he can trace his roots to Ukraine, as his great-grandfather was from Kyiv. Lenny acknowledged his Ukrainian heritage during a memorable concert in Kyiv in 2008.

Steven Spielberg

Famous Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg proudly acknowledges his Ukrainian ancestry. His maternal grandfather was from Odesa, and his paternal grandfather came from a small village near Kamianets-Podilskyi.

Deeply devoted to his roots, Spielberg has been a prominent supporter of Ukraine, making generous donations to help refugees during the war. It is worth mentioning that the director's first visit to Ukraine took place in 2006, and he is particularly fond of the traditional Ukrainian dish borsch.

Bob Dylan

The famous actor and musician Bob Dylan has family ties to Odesa. The singer's grandparents lived here until 1905, when they were forced to move to the United States due to the persecution of the city's Jewish communities. Bob Dylan was born in America and inherited a rich Ukrainian heritage from his family's past.

Dustin Hoffman

Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman has Ukrainian roots through his ancestors, who hail from Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast. However, Hoffman did not discover this family connection until he was 72 years old.

The truth about his Ukrainian heritage was hidden because his grandfather and great-grandfather were victims of the Chekists and were shot. When Hoffman learned the truth about his family, he could not hold back his tears and burst into tears.