Celebrity Jews

Romantic stuff

British actress Rachel Weisz, 34, is engaged to director Darren Aronofsky, 36. This isn't a shocker in that they had been living together for the last few years.

The couple is, as they say, "well-suited." He is a Harvard graduate who spent some time on an Israeli kibbutz. She is an honors graduate of Cambridge and her Hungarian Jewish father escaped the Holocaust by moving to England.

Aronofsky's best-known film is "Requiem for a Dream," about a Jewish family. His next film, "The Fountain," a sci-fi thriller, co-stars Weisz, and just finished shooting.

Aronofsky first called Weisz's father to ask for his daughter's hand — and her parents were both thrilled — then he proposed in Times Square. Sources say that they may be married in NYC's oldest synagogue.




From good stock

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a spy/action thriller starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt opened last week to mixed reviews, but should do good box office. (Look for Adam Brody in a small, but funny part.)

The director is Doug Liman, who is known around Hollywood as a quirky personality — but somehow his films always come together — driven by his talent for spotting new talent. His directorial debut was the low-budget indie hit "Swingers," starring Jon Favreau. Liman went on to direct the mega-hit, "The Bourne Identity." In addition, he produced the Jewish-themed film "Kissing Jessica Stein" and the very Jewish TV show "Arrested Development."

If the name Liman sounds familiar, it is because Doug Liman is the son of the late Arthur Liman, who was one of the most respected lawyers in America. Arthur became famous as counsel to the Senate committee investigating the Iran-Contra scandal.




May-December Jews?

Jerry Springer, 61, the raunchy TV talk show host, also has a serious show on Air America, the liberal talk radio network. Recently, Springer gushed about Natalie Portman, 24, on the radio: "Portman is really bright, and if I was allowed to have one crush, it would be her." He added that she could be his radio co-host, or, if she wanted, she could host his TV show. He mentioned Woody Allen as another possible TV sub.

Portman's spokesperson sagely replied to Springer's offer: "I am not going anywhere near this whole thing." (I could just see Portman hosting a talk show with Springer and Allen as guests — "Today we have on two rich old Jewish guys who just don't get it about age-inappropriate relationships.")




The Soup Nazi returns

It's been 10 years since the memorable "Seinfeld" episode about the "Soup Nazi," but endless re-runs have acquainted younger TV viewers with the mercurial Manhattan restaurant owner who had people lining up around the block for a cup of his delicious soup.

Chef Al Yegenah, who was the real-life model for the Soup Nazi, will soon be opening a national chain of soup restaurants. I was unable to determine whether Yegenah is Jewish, but my research did put me in touch with Jewish actor Larry Thomas, who got an Emmy nomination playing the Soup Nazi.

Thomas told me that he met Yegenah a few years ago and that he was nice and gave him some soup on the house. Yegenah, he added, told him that he actually did not see the episode until recently and when the soupmeister finally watched it, he found it to be funny.




Columnist Nate Bloom, an Oaklander, can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).