Lee J. Cobb

Birth Name: Leo Jacob

Date of Birth: December 8, 1911

Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: February 11, 1976

Place of Death: Woodland Hills, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Lee J. Cobb was an American actor. His roles included the films On the Waterfront, 12 Angry Men, The Brothers Karamazov, Man of the West, Exodus, How the West Was Won, Our Man Flint, and The Exorcist, television’s The Virginian and The Young Lawyers, and many stage performances, including originating the role of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.

Lee was the son of Kate and Benjamin/Benzion Jacob, a compositor for a foreign-language newspaper. His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. He was also said to have Romanian Jewish ancestry. He was married to school teacher Mary Brako Hirsch, until his death. He had two children, including actress Julie Cobb, with his former wife, Yiddish theatre and film actress Helen Beverley; and two children with Mary.

Lee’s paternal grandfather was named Sindel/Lindil Jacob.

Lee’s paternal grandmother was named Lina Laeskin.

Lee’s maternal grandfather was named Morris Neilecht/Nailicht. Morris was born in Odessa.

Lee’s maternal grandmother was named Lana Boses.

Sources: Genealogy of Lee J. Cobb – https://www.geni.com

Marriage record of Lee’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org