B. J. Novak
Novak in 2013, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak
Place of Birth: Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Date of Birth: July 31, 1979
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
B. J. Novak is an American actor, writer, comedian, and director. His roles include The Office, Inglourious Basterds, and Vengenace, the latter of which he also wrote and directed.
He is the son of Linda and William Novak, a writer. Both of his parents are Jewish. His brother, Jesse Novak, has composed music for television.
B. J.’s maternal grandfather was Martin M. Manaly/Manalovitz (the son of Oscar Manalovitz/Manalovici and Molly/Mollie Davis/David). Martin was born in New York. Oscar was a Jewish emigrant from either Russia or Romania. Molly was a Romanian Jew.
B. J.’s maternal grandmother was Frances W. Vortrefflich (the daughter of George Vortrefflich and Sylvia Hirschaut). Frances was born in New York. George was born in New York City, the son of Benjamin Vortrefflich and Pauline Forman, who were Austrian Jews. Sylvia was born in Vienna, Austria, the daughter of Jacob Hirschaut and Lottie Jaeger, who were also Austrian Jews, with Ukrainian Jewish ancestry.
Sources: Genealogy of B. J. Novak (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com
B. J.’s maternal grandmother, Frances W. Vortrefflich, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
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