Barry Levinson

Levinson in 2010, photo by Prphotos

Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 6, 1942

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Barry Levinson is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and actor. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Rain Man (1988). His parents, Violet (Krichinsky) and Irvin/Irving Levinson, were both born in Baltimore, Maryland, and all of his grandparents were Jewish emigrants from the Russian Empire.

He is married to Diana Rhodes, with whom he has two children, including director, actor, producer, and screenwriter Sam Levinson.

Barry’s paternal grandparents were named Abraham “Abe” Levinson and Rose Rubin.

Barry’s maternal grandfather was Samuel/Sam Krichinsky (the son of Leib “Louis” Krichinsky and Malka Wolf). Samuel was born in Pavolatch, Kyyiv, Ukraine. Malka was the daughter of Adolphe Wolf and Sarah.

Barry’s maternal grandmother was Eva/Chava Claire Skurnik (the daughter of Eli Skurnik and Razel/Rose Lewin/Levin). Eva was born in Ciechanowiec, Wysokie Mazowieckie County, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland. Razel was the daughter of Ezriel/Israel Aharon Lew/Levin and Feige/Feiga/Freida/Frejda Jarmus/Jarmusz.

Sources: Genealogy of Barry Levinson (misidentifies his paternal grandparents) – https://www.geni.com

Barry’s father on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogies of Barry’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Ezriel/Israel Aharon Lew/Levin and Feige/Feiga/Freida/Frejda Jarmus/Jarmusz – https://www.geni.com