Jewface

First we had blackface, that is, the practice in entertainment or the movies of portraying a black-skinned person using a white actor who blackens their face and hands.  Then there was yellowface, the portrayal of Asian characters by non-Asian actors using theatrical makeup to Asianise their appearance.  Now we have Jewface, the portrayal of a Jewish person by a non-Jewish person using theatrical makeup and prosthetics.  This has become an issue in the biopic about Leonard Bernstein, Maestro, where  Bradley Cooper, playing the part of Bernstein, has used prosthetics to give himself a bigger nose to enhance the resemblance between himself and Berstein.  Cooper co-wrote the script, directed and produced the movie, and wanted to play the lead role.  Others think that he should either be a good enough actor to carry it off without the aid of prosthetics, or he should have given the part to someone who was Jewish.

SocietySue ButlerComment