For many Gen Zers, “Wizards of Waverly Place” heartthrob Gregg Sulkin was their first crush.
With the return of the iconic franchise in “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” fans are wondering when the British actor will reprise his role as Alex Russo’s (Selena Gomez) boyfriend, Mason Greyback. But while we wait for him to return to the wizarding world, let’s explore Sulkin’s love for his Jewish heritage! Here’s everything we know about his Jewish background.
The basics
Gregg Sulkin was born on May 29, 1992, in London to model Janice Sulkin and property developer Graham Sulkin. His mother converted to Judaism before he was born, and the family embraced deep-rooted Jewish traditions.
The 32-year-old believes his family changed their last name from “Zulkin” when his ancestors fled Eastern Europe, seeking to assimilate and avoid antisemitism. He later shared with the Jewish Chronicle that his paternal grandfather, anti-fascist activist Bobby Sulkin, once knocked out a Nazi in an East End brawl in 1962. Sulkin says he feels immense pride in his grandfather’s fight against hate.
Gregg Sulkin’s Jewish start to acting
For his bar mitzvah, Sulkin traveled to Jerusalem, holding an intimate ceremony at the Western Wall.
Soon after, he made his acting debut in the 2006 film “Sixty Six” alongside Jewish actress Helena Bonham Carter. His mom had seen an ad in the Chronicle looking for Jewish boys around bar mitzvah age to star in the comedy. Sulkin’s big break came as bar mitzvah boy Bernie Rubens, whose special day is hilariously derailed by England’s World Cup Final match.
Sulkin then set his sights on Hollywood, moving to the U.S. as a teenager to pursue acting with Disney Channel. He found he loved life on the West Coast and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Besides “Wizards,” he starred in “Avalon High,” “Faking It,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “Don’t Hang Up,” and Marvel’s “Runaways.”
In BBC’s “World on Fire,” Sulkin portrayed a Jewish RAF pilot, David, who faces antisemitism. He said, “Being Jewish, this means a lot to my family and me.” The role allowed him to honor his heritage and grandparents’ experiences, which he described as a “great, great deal to me.”
Sulkin has always been proud of his Judaism.
For years, Sulkin has been open about his love for his Jewish heritage — and we love to see it!
The Brit was candid in 2014 when he wrote, “I am Jewish. And I’m extremely … proud to be so.”
He admitted that seeing a mezuzah causes him to “smile a bit” because of the strong joy he feels. Sulkin believes that the Jewish peoples’ resilience is a miracle, and the fact that they can publicly display their heritage on their homes should be celebrated.
The actor sees his Judaism as a central part of his identity, and loves finding community with other Jews.
“Wherever I am in the world, if I find out someone is Jewish, it is like we have an unspoken bond. It is very, very tough to describe to people who aren’t in the community. You feel like you’ve met a brother or a sister,” Sulkin told Jewish Chronicle.
Gregg Sulkin has actively shared his support for Israel
Sulkin’s connection to Israel has only strengthened since his bar mitzvah trip.
“I love being Jewish and I love Israel!’ he said in 2023, adding he believes that his bar mitzvah in Israel was “the most special day in my life.”
After the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, Sulkin joined a trip of celebrities and influencers to see the aftermath of Oct. 7 later that year.
“Returning to the Western Wall, years after my Bar Mitzvah, I felt a profound connection to my heritage. Standing here, I am reminded of the enduring spirit and resilience of the Jewish people. In the shadow of these ancient stones, I reflect on our everlasting prayers for peace. Proud of my roots, humbled by our history, and committed to a future where peace reigns supreme,” he captioned a gallery of photos from his time in Jerusalem.
During his trip, he visited the ruins of Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the hardest hit spots during the massacre.
Sulkin detailed what he saw at the kibbutz, filming the wreckage as a testimony to what occurred and urged his followers to take action and advocate for the release of the hostages.
“While the physical remnants of devastation – including dead bodies have been cleared, the air still carries the heavy scent of loss and sorrow. These visuals, stark and sobering, serve as a poignant reminder: this is the reality of hate, unmasked and cruel,” Sulkin said.
“This was not just an attack on the Jewish community, but an assault on humanity’s very essence. We must all shoulder the responsibility to remember and to educate, ensuring such horrors are relegated firmly to the past.
“I wish for harmony for all. We stand together, beyond religion or race, united in our unwavering resolve: Never Again.
“In the tender silence that follows grief, let us find the strength to turn our collective mourning into a beacon of hope and compassion, illuminating a future where peace and empathy reign over discord and division.”
He also called for his 7 million followers to donate to ZAKA, a post-disaster emergency response and recovery organization in Israel.
He hopes for accurate Jewish representation
Sulkin gave his take on the Jewface debate — the discussions on whether only Jewish actors should portray Jewish characters. The British star feels that as long as a non-Jewish actor is willing to put in the work to understand what it means to be Jewish, they should be able to play Jewish roles.
“Although I am extremely proud to be Jewish and play a Jewish character, I believe that if a non-Jew really wants to play a Jewish character, as long as they really educate themselves, learn about our history and heritage, try and understand what it means to be Jewish, they should be able to. That said, being Jewish is a help,” Sulkin said.
He added that while portraying David in “World on Fire,” he was able to connect with the character easily because of their shared backgrounds. This made him empathize with David more, and pushed him to hone in on the pilot’s emotions.
“I just wanted to make sure that the Jewish community was represented correctly,” he said.
