“I feel deeply connected to my Jewish roots,” Scarlett Johansson once said, reflecting on her Ashkenazi heritage and family history in the Holocaust. While she embraces her Jewish identity, she practices it more culturally than religiously.
Quick Profile: Scarlett Johansson
| Full Name | Scarlett Ingrid Johansson |
| Date of Birth | 22 November 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Manhattan, New York City, USA |
| Nationalities | American, Danish (via father) |
| Profession | Actress, Producer |
| Religion / Heritage | Jewish (maternal side) |
| Mother’s Background | Melanie Sloan – Ashkenazi Jewish from the Bronx |
| Father’s Background | Karsten Olaf Johansson – Danish architect |
Early Life
Scarlett Ingrid Johansson was born on November 22, 1984, in Manhattan, New York City. Her father, Karsten Olaf Johansson, is a Danish-born architect; her mother, Melanie Sloan, is from a Jewish family in New York (maternal grandparents emigrated from Poland/Russia). Johansson holds both American and Danish citizenship and grew up with siblings including an older sister (Vanessa) and twin brother (Hunter). On PBS’s Finding Your Roots and in other interviews she has acknowledged her Jewish maternal ancestry and has referred to herself as Jewish.
From interviews, Johansson has said she was brought up with Jewish holiday traditions such as Shabbat and Chanukah through her mum’s side. While her father is not Jewish, Judaism through her mother gives her heritage status according to Jewish tradition.
Growing up in a mixed-heritage home in New York, Johansson’s childhood combined Scandinavian and Jewish cultural influences. This fusion helped shape her identity in a unique way as she entered acting at a young age.
What Religion is Scarlett Johansson?
Johansson has openly identified as Jewish, stating that she was raised with Jewish practices and that her mother’s heritage is Jewish.
In an interview she said:
“I just adore Woody. We have a lot in common. We’re New Yorkers, Jewish.”
This confirms that Johansson views herself within a Jewish identity—not simply culturally, but personally. Some sources note she celebrates both Jewish and other holiday traditions (e.g., Christmas) but identifies primarily with Judaism.
Her faith remains a part of her public identity, though she doesn’t necessarily frame it as the main focus of her interviews. It is visible in her heritage discussions and values.
Personal Life
- Scarlett’s first marriage was to actor Ryan Reynolds (married 2008 — divorced 2011).
- She married French journalist Romain Dauriac in October 2014; they have a daughter, Rose Dorothy Dauriac, born in 2014. Johansson and Dauriac separated and divorced in 2017.
- Johansson began dating comedian/writer Colin Jost in 2017; they married in October 2020 and have a son, born in 2021 (reported name: Cosmo). The family splits time between New York and Los Angeles.
Trivia
- Scarlett has a twin brother (Hunter) and an older sister, Vanessa, who is also an actress.
- She started acting as a child and attended the Professional Children’s School in Manhattan.
- Johansson is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time by worldwide box office for lead roles (her films have collectively grossed many billions). This status has affected how studios have negotiated her pay in later years.
- Her maternal family history includes relatives who perished in the Warsaw Ghetto — a detail featured on Finding Your Roots.
- She co-founded a skincare brand (The Outset) and has business ventures outside acting.
