Some may never have guessed that celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio have Slavic roots.
It’s no secret that many American celebrities tend to have ancestors from all over the world. Today’s list focuses on Slavic ancestry which includes East Slavic countries like Russia and Ukraine, West Slavic countries like Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as South Slavic countries. like Bulgaria and Slovenia. While there are some celebrities who probably won’t be such a big surprise as they certainly have Slavic last names – it’s safe to say that there are some really big Hollywood stars many of whom don’t know they are. have Slavic roots.
From celebrities who were actually born in a Slavic country like Mila Kunis and Nina Dobrev to those stars one would never guess have a Slavic heritage like Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio – keep scrolling to find out which stars are on the list of ‘today!
ten Angelina Jolie has Slovak roots
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has Slavic roots on her father’s side. Angelina’s father, Jon Voight – who is also a famous actor – has a Slovak father whose last name was actually Vojtka, who later became Voight. Angelina Jolie has starred in many successful and critically acclaimed films and is certainly one of the biggest stars of her generation.
9 Leonardo DiCaprio has Russian roots
Let’s move on to actor Leonardo DiCaprio who also has Slavic roots. Two of the Hollywood star’s deceased grandparents were actually Russians, and Leonardo often mentions his grandmother Yelena Smirnova in interviews. Much like Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio – who currently has a net worth of $ 260 million – has established himself over the past three decades as a staple in the film industry.
8 Emily Ratajkowski has Polish roots
One celebrity that many could have surely guessed has Slavic roots based on her last name is model Emily Ratajkoski. Emily – who also has English, Irish and German roots – has a father of Polish descent.
The pretty brunette rose to fame over the past decade and today is one of the most famous and fashionable models in the industry.
7 Nina Dobrev has Bulgarian roots
Next on the list is actress Nina Dobrev who rose to fame for her portrayal of Elena Gilbert in the fantasy drama. The Vampire Diaries. Nina – whose full name is Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva – was actually born in Sofia, Bulgaria, to Bulgarian parents who eventually moved to Canada when the actress was two years old. After that, Nina grew up in Toronto until her breakthrough as an actress.
6 Paul Wesley has Polish roots
Speaking of The Vampire Diaries –Next on the list of celebrities with Slavic roots is former Nina Dobrev co-star Paul Wesley. The actor – real name Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski – was born in the United States to Polish parents and he even speaks a little Polish as he spent a few months every year in Poland while growing up.
5 And Jared Padalecki too
Another famous actor who has Polish roots is Jared Padalecki. The star – who rose to fame as Sam Winchester in the fantasy drama Supernatural has Polish roots on his father’s side, which is certainly no surprise to his fans as Jared’s last name definitely sounds Slavic.
4 Ashton Kutcher has Czech roots
Next on the list is Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher who many may not be aware of has Slavic roots as well.
Besides having German and Irish ancestors, the actor – who rose to fame as Michael Kelso in the sitcom This 70s show – also has Czech roots. Ashton is certainly one of the many successful Hollywood stars with a Slavic heritage.
3 Mila Kunis has Ukrainian roots
Speaking of Ashton Kutcher, next on the list is his wife Mila Kunis. Mila – who also rose to fame on the sitcom That ’70s Show in which he played Jackie Burkhart – was actually born in Chernivtsi in Soviet Ukraine. At the age of seven, Mila – whose full name is Milena Markovna Kunis – moved with her family to the United States where she ended up pursuing an acting career.
2 Helen Mirren has Russian roots
Let’s move on to Hollywood legend Helen Mirren, who also has Slavic roots. Helen’s father, Vasily Petrovich Mironoff, was a member of an exiled Russian nobility – which also means Helen’s current last name, Mironoff. Helen, however, was born in England where she developed a love for the theater by performing in plays at her school – and the rest is certainly history.
1 Joaquin Phoenix has Russian roots
San Juan, Puerto Rico-born actor Joaquin Phoenix ends the list. Many may not be aware that in addition to having English, German and French ancestry from his father’s side, Joaquin Phoenix actually has Slavic ancestry from his mother’s side. Her mother Arlyn was born in New York to Hungarian and Russian parents. Of all the celebrities on today’s roster, it’s probably more surprising that Joaquin Phoenix has Slavic roots!
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