Iliza Shlesinger

Shlesinger in 2011, photo by DFree/www.bigstockphoto.com

Birth Name: Iliza Vie Shlesinger

Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 22, 1983

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Iliza Shlesinger is an American comedian and actress. She won the sixth season of Last Comic Standing.

Iliza is the daughter of Bonnie/Ronnie and Fred Shlesinger. Her family moved to Dallas, Texas, during her childhood. She is married to Noah Galuten, with whom she has a daughter. Noah is the son of technology executive and futurist Albhy Galuten.

A DNA test displayed on the show Finding Your Roots, with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2024) stated that Iliza’s genetic ancestry is:

*100% Ashkenazi Jewish

The test determined that Iliza shares genetic ancestry with comedian and actress Sarah Silverman.

Iliza’s paternal grandfather was Benjamin Shlesinger/Schlessinger (the son of Morris Schlessinger/Shlesinger and Esther/Estera Blima Shonek/Szonekm). Benjamin was born in New York, to Polish Jewish parents, with roots in Plock and Raciąż. Morris was the son of Abraham Shlessinger and Ida Beckerman. Estera was the daughter of Jacob/Jankof/Jackob Josek Shonek/Szonek/Sjomek and Toba Bronish. Her brother Lipa was killed in the Holocaust in 1943, in Auschwitz. Another brother, Abraham, survived the war by hiding with a French farmer.

Iliza’s paternal grandmother was named Thelma “Toby.” Thelma was born in New York.

Iliza’s maternal grandfather was named Melvin Schlien/Schlein (the son of Abraham Schlien/Schlein and Rose/Rae). Melvin was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Iliza’s maternal grandmother was Anita Bernstein (the daughter of Harry L. Bernstein and Isabel/Isabelle/Isabella Schindler). Anita was born in New York, to a Jewish family. Harry was born in New York, to parents from Russia. Isabel was born in New York, the daughter of Morris/Maurice/Marrie Schindler, who was born in either England or Ireland, and of Rebecca “Vera” Ainbinder, who was from Russia.

Sources: Marriage record of Iliza’s parents – http://www.familysearch.org

Iliza’s paternal grandfather, Benjamin Shlesinger/Schlessinger, on the 1940 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Iliza’s paternal grandmother, Thelma “Toby” Shlesinger Needleman – http://www.legacy.com

Genealogy of Iliza’s mother (focusing on her own mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com