Emmy nominees include ‘Who’s Who’ of A-List Jews

From Mayim Bialik to ‘Mad Men,’ Jewish actors, writers and series vie for top TV awards

Josh, Shelly, Sarah and Maura (formerly Mort) mourn the death of Shelly's second husband in 'Transparent.' (Courtesy Amazon Studios)
Josh, Shelly, Sarah and Maura (formerly Mort) mourn the death of Shelly's second husband in 'Transparent.' (Courtesy Amazon Studios)

JTA — Nominees for the 2015 Emmy Awards were announced Thursday, and the list reads like a “Who’s Who” of A-list Jews in the entertainment business.

Among the Jewish machers who scored nominations is Jon Stewart (who’s now preparing for his final bow on “The Daily Show”), for Outstanding Variety Talk Series.

Another is Liev Schreiber, for Outstanding Actor in a Drama for Showtime’s “Ray Donovan.”

Below are some of our top picks for Jewish actors, writers and series who could take home the trophy this year:

1. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Weiss, left, with Benioff. (photo credit: Wikipedia/Suzi Pratt)
Weiss, left, with Benioff (Wikipedia/Suzi Pratt)

These “Game of Thrones” showrunners, both Jewish, have much to kvell about: The fantastical HBO series leads the Emmy pack with a whopping 24 nominations, including for Outstanding Drama. Benioff and Weiss themselves received a nod for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.

2. “Transparent”

Amazon’s hit streaming series, which features Jeffrey Tambor (nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy) as an aging, emerging transgendered woman, is possibly the most Jewish show we’ve seen in years, with scenes from a typical American Jewish family (and a female rabbi, to boot). “It is so Jewy,” creator and executive producer Jill Soloway told the Forward last year.

3. Amy Schumer

In this April 23, 2015, file photo, Amy Schumer, the writer and star of the upcoming film 'Trainwreck,' waves to the audience during the Universal Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2015 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Amy Schumer, the writer and star of ‘Trainwreck,’ waves to the audience during the Universal Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2015 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

The hilarious Comedy Central show “Inside Amy Schumer” is nominated for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series. Schumer, who was raised Jewish, is also nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy. With “Trainwreck,” her new movie, garnering great reviews, is there anything this supremely funny gal can’t do? Apparently not!

4. “Portlandia”

The brainchild of “Saturday Night Live” alum Fred Armisen and Jewish rock goddess Carrie Brownstein joins “Inside Amy Schumer” in the race for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series.

5. “Mad Men”

Jon Hamm as Don Draper and Maggie Siff as Rachel Menken in AMC's Mad Men. (photo credit: Doug Hyun/AMC)
Jon Hamm as Don Draper and Maggie Siff as Rachel Menken in AMC’s ‘Mad Men’ (Doug Hyun/AMC)

Another contender for the most Jewish show on TV in recent years, Matthew Weiner’s incredible series — which nails the vibe of the 1960s down to the most minute detail — came to a brilliant close this year. Its nominations include Outstanding Drama, as well as two nominations for Weiner for Outstanding Writing for a Drama (one of which he co-wrote with Semi Chellas).

6. Adrien Brody

Brody shot to international fame for his Academy Award-winning performance as Wladyslaw Szpilman in “The Pianist” (and for subsequently planting a wet one on presenter Halle Berry). Now he’s up for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his portrayal of one of the most famous Jews of all time: Harry Houdini (in the History Channel’s miniseries “Houdini”).

7. Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik loves Elvis Costello. And her husband. (Mayim Bialik image via Shutterstock)
Mayim Bialik (via Shutterstock)

The actress and neuroscientist received her fourth nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler.

The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on Sept. 20 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast live on Fox. Andy Samberg — another Jew, wouldntchaknow — will host.

Jon Stewart with his 2012 Emmy (Getty images, via JTA)
Jon Stewart with his 2012 Emmy (Getty images, via JTA)

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