Eugene Levy

Levy in 2012, photo by Prphotos

Place of Birth: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Date of Birth: December 17, 1946

Ethnicity: Sephardi Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish

Eugene Levy is a Canadian actor, comedian, producer, director, musician, and writer. He is known for playing Jim’s dad in the American Pie films, among many other roles.

Eugene is the son of Rebecca “Betty” (Kudlats) and Joseph “Joe” Levy, a foreman at an automobile plant.

Eugene’s mother was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Polish Jewish parents. Eugene’s father was born in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, to Jewish parents from Vidin, Bulgaria. Given that the Canadian census lists Eugene’s paternal grandparents as being from Spain, it is likely that they were Sephardi Jews. Much of Bulgaria’s Jewish population is Sephardi.

Eugene’s uncle, Harold Kudlats, was a music promoter who brought rockabilly music to Canada.

Eugene is married to producer and screenwriter Deborah Divine, with whom he has two children, actor, writer, producer, and television personality Dan Levy and actress Sarah Levy.

Eugene’s paternal grandfather was named Uziel/Israel Levy (the son of Mary).

Eugene’s paternal grandmother was named Vinucha/Vinncia/Venus Coen.

Eugene’s maternal grandfather was Louis Kudlatz (the son of Samuel/Szmul Gdala Kudlacz/Kudlatz and Nycha/Nicha “Nellie” Szmulewicz/Zemanski/Zelmanovitz). Louis was born in Nasielsk, Powiat Pułtuski, Poland. Samuel was the son of Lewek Kudlacz and Frimel. Nycha was the daughter of Herszek Szmulewicz and Ryfka.

Eugene’s maternal grandmother was Flora Raphael (the daughter of Joseph Raphael and Sarah/Annie/Dora/Rina/Rose Samuels/Levi/Goldberg). Flora was born in Poland. Joseph was born in Posen, the son of Samuel Raphael and Dora.

Sources: Interview with The Jewish Journal – http://www.jewishjournal.com

Interview with the Canadian Jewish News – http://www.cjnews.com

Eugene’s father on the 1911 Canadian Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Eugene Levy (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com