www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Stars that have an Eastern Rite or Orthodox Roots

Sorry after making the last response, I realized that maybe I should just start a new thread. How many stars have Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic roots?
Some of the ones that I have heard of are Robert Urich, Jack Palance, Danny Thomas,(Marionite I belive),Jamie Farr (Syrian Orthodox). Some one once told me that John Wayne was half Lebonese, and was recieved into the Eastern rite at his death-bed. Some one also said that Walter Brennan (Grampa on the Real Mccoys, I know I could be really dating myself ) was also Eastern rite.
Any other suggestions.

I don't know about stars but Doug Flutie and Bernie Kosar the football players are Eastern Catholics.

Actress Sandra Dee was Byzantine Catholic.

I've heard that actor Tom Sellick has Ruthenian roots.

Natalie Wood's grave marker bears a three-bar cross... don't know her connection, if any.

Former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, listed as "Roman Catholic" in "Who's Who" and other such almanacs, is actually a Byzantine Catholic.

And, of course, artist Andy Warhol was a Byzantine Catholic.

Sandra Dee (Alexandra Zuk) is of Carpatho-Rusyn heritage and her parents (at least) were Orthodox.

Charles Bronson was of Lithuanian descent (his real last name was Buchinski), but I don't think he was Eastern Catholic or Eastern Orthodox.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Piotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky

Both Orthodox.

Andrew

I think it's safe to say that any Russian composer, novelist, actor, musician, or director was Orthodox up until the Bolshevik Revolution. Thanks to Andrew for bringing this to light.

Nikos Kanzantzakis who wrote "The Last Temptation of Christ" appears to have been Orthodox, however strange his theology might have been.

Arvo P�rt
John Tavener
Igor Stravinsky

All Orthodox.

Kanzantzakis was excommunicated, and I think left the rough equivalent to flipping the church the bird on his gravestone.

Andrew

John Belushi was Albanian Orthodox. My understanding is that he received an Albanian Orthodox funeral. Tina Fey is Greek Orthodox. Rita Wilson is also Greek Orthodox. I have been told that her husband, Tom Hanks, attends church with Ms. Wilson. That makes his involvement with the DaVinci Code that much more bewildering.

Really! You learn something new every day. I believe that Tolstoy was also excommunicated. Too bad, I love his short stories.

Her name was Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko. She was Russian Orthodox. I believe her funeral took place at a ROCOR church.

George Tenet, former CIA Head.

Also, I believe Mike Ditka was raised Ukrainian Catholic

-uc

Don't forget Father Michael Sopoliga!

Negroponte is Greek, but can't tell you if he's remained Orthodox. So many change denominations when they get married.

Zenovia

How about politicians: Governor Pataki I believe is or was Eastern Catholic; Michael Dukakis is Greek Orthodox; Spiro Agnew was Greek Orthodox before converting to the Episcopal Church. Olympia Snowe is also Greek Orthodox.

Famous other persons: Tom Carvel of Carvel ice cream was Greek Orthodox and his wife Roman Catholic.

Arianna Huffington is also Greek Orthodox.