Ben Cohen

photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Ben Christopher Cohen

Place of Birth: Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, U.K.

Date of Birth: 14 September, 1978

Ethnicity: English, Irish, Ashkenazi Jewish

Ben Cohen is a British rugby union player, activist for LGBT causes, and television personality. A wing and outside centre in union rugby, he played for Northampton, Brive, and Sale Sharks, and the England national team.

His uncle was professional footballer George Cohen (George Reginald Cohen). Ben has two children with his former wife Abby Blayney; and a daughter with his fiancée, Russian-born world finalist professional ballroom dancer, instructor, choreographer, and author Kristina Rihanoff.

Ben’s paternal grandfather was named Lewis/Louis Harry Cohen. Lewis had Ukrainian Jewish ancestry.

Ben’s paternal grandmother was named Catherine/Kate K. Gibbs. Catherine was born in Ireland.

Ben’s maternal grandfather’s surname was Harrison.

Ben has stated:

My family’s not Jewish… but a few generations back they used to be. I think it was my great grandfather that married a non-Jewish girl and broke with tradition.