Casting Jewish Actors as Jewish Characters
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What I said in a telephone interview for Willens’ article was that the Hollywood moguls used to anglicize the names of their stars, not that they changed their own names, as was incorrectly reported.
Today, many celebrities apparently keep their surnames, but the television industry casts them with non-Jewish names.
I asked Willens why couldn’t Jack Klugman have been cast as Dr. Shapiro instead of as Dr. Quincy? How about Lt. Goldberg for Peter Falk instead of Columbo?
The TV networks have never, to the best of my knowledge, made a Jew as a Jew the hero in a dramatic series. Supporting roles, yes, but not leading roles.
HARVEY B. SCHECHTER
Western States Director
Anti-Defamation League
Los Angeles
