Biography
Harvey Fierstein — actor with roots in the Russian Empire
Harvey Fierstein is an American playwright and actor. He has won four Tony Awards — Best Play and Best Actor in a Play for Torch Song Trilogy (1983), Best Book of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles (1984) and Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Hairspray (2003), in which he originated the role of Edna Turnblad on Broadway.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — USA
Born in Brooklyn to Irving Fierstein, a handkerchief manufacturer, and Jacqueline Harriet (née Gilbert), a school librarian, and raised in a Conservative Jewish family. No country or town of origin is documented for either parent.
Family Tree
Subject
Harvey Fierstein🇺🇸 USA
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Family
Irving Fierstein
Jacqueline Harriet Fierstein (née Gilbert)
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Origin
USA🇷🇺
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Torch Song Trilogy — Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play (1983)
02
La Cage aux Folles — Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (1984)
03
Hairspray — Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical (2003)
04
Originated the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway (2002)
05
Kinky Boots — Tony nomination for Best Book of a Musical (2013)
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim."
Harvey Fierstein
Sources