Nora Ephron

Ephron in 2010, photo by Prphotos

Date of Birth: May 19, 1941

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

Date of Death: June 26, 2012

Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Nora Ephron was an American journalist, writer, and filmmaker. She directed the films This Is My Life, Sleepless in Seattle, Mixed Nuts, Michael (1996), You’ve Got Mail, Lucky Numbers, Bewitched (2005), and Julie & Julia. Nora and her sister Delia Ephron were co-writers on all of her films, except for Sleepless in Seattle, on which Delia was not a writer, Lucky Numbers, on which neither one was, and Julie & Julia, on which only Nora is credited as a writer. Nora also wrote the films Heartburn, When Harry Met Sally…, and My Blue Heaven, and co-wrote the films Silkwood, Cookie, and Hanging Up, the latter one with Delia.

She was the daughter of Phoebe Ephron and Henry Ephron, who were playwrights and screenwriters. Her sisters, Delia Ephron, Hallie Ephron, and Amy Ephron, are all writers. Her family was Jewish. Nora was married to screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, until her death. She had two children with her former husband, investigative journalist and author Carl Bernstein.

Nora’s family’s surname was spelled Efron generations back. No genealogical connection between Nora and actor Zac Efron has been established, but is possible.

Nora’s patrilineal line can be traced to Israel Efron, who was born c. 1750, and was from Ivyanets, Belarus.

Nora’s paternal grandfather was Yitzhak Asher “Isaac” Ephron (the son of Chaim Nachum Ephron and Pearl Levitt). Yitzhak was from Valožyn, Minsk, Belarus. Chaim was the son of Israel Efron and Guda.

Nora’s paternal grandmother was named Gittle “Gussie” Weinstein. Gittle was from Skidzyel’, now in Belarus.

Nora’s maternal grandfather was Louis Wolkind (the son of Bernard Wolkind and Grace Kunin). Louis was born in Russia.

Nora’s maternal grandmother was named Kate Lautkin. Kate was born in Russia.

Sources: Genealogy of Nora Ephron – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Nora Ephron (focusing on her father’s side) – http://efronfamilyhistory.com

Nora’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org