Documenting the global footprint of Russian civilization  ·  1,081 profiles · 48 countries  · About this project
Vol. I · 2026
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Tier B
Cinema & TV · USA ·

John Garfield

Джон Гарфилд

Lower East Side-born son of Russian-Jewish immigrants; star of Body and Soul

🇺🇸 Fame: USA🇷🇺 Origin: 🔗 Connection: Ancestry
JG
Profile #473
ProfessionActor
Russian originRussian Empire (town not documented)
ConnectionAncestryDavid Garfinkle; Hannah Garfinkle
RussianUnknown
CategoryCinema & TVTier B
Biography

John Garfield — actor with roots in the Russian Empire

John Garfield (born Jacob Julius Garfinkle) was an American actor whose films include The Postman Always Rings Twice, Body and Soul and Force of Evil. After he testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee and declined to name names, his film career ended; he died of a heart attack in 1952, aged 39.

Russian Connection

Tracing the roots — Russian Empire (town not documented)

Born in 1913 on Rivington Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side to David and Hannah Garfinkle, Russian-Jewish immigrants.

Family Tree
Subject
John Garfield🇺🇸 USA
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Parents
David Garfinkle
Hannah Garfinkle
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Origin
Russian Empire (town not documented)🇷🇺
Key Achievements

A career defined by ambition

01
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
02
Body and Soul (1947) — Academy Award nomination for Best Actor
03
Force of Evil (1948)
04
Four Daughters (1938) — Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor
05
Refused to name names before HUAC; died in 1952 aged 39

"I was born in the streets and the streets taught me everything I know."

John Garfield
Russian diasporaJewish roots
Sources