Is Matthew Broderick Jewish? The Actor's Religion Isn't Something He Discusses

Everyone knows Matthew Broderick as the actor behind the titular character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the voice behind adult Mufasa on Disney's animated version of The Lion King — oh, and Sarah Jessica Parker's husband, of course. What some fans might not be aware of is what the actor/singer/producer's religion is. That's mostly because he never really brings it up.

Considering his family background and his wife's religion, plenty of people have assumed Matthew is a follower of Judaism. In light of the actor's sister contracting COVID-19 at an Episcopal church, however, fans have a renewed curiosity: Is Matthew actually Jewish? Let's take a closer look at the evidence at hand.

On March 14, Matthew opened up with People about his sister, Janet Broderick, who is recovering after being hospitalized and testing positive for the novel coronavirus.

“My entire family is grateful for the concern about, and the well wishes for, my sister Janet. I’m happy to say she is feeling much better and is on the road to a full recovery,” Matthew told People. “We are all very appreciative for the wonderful care she received from the amazing doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai.”

Janet feel ill after attending the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes conference in Louisville, Ky. on March 11. Another attendee tested positive for the virus, as well.

“She is receiving the best medical care available and her doctors’ prognosis is for a complete and full recovery,” the church said of Janet in a statement. “It will take some time, but Janet is resting comfortably at Cedars until the time she is released and can return home to complete her recovery.”

Matthew was born in Manhattan, New York — and his mom, Patricia, was Jewish. His grandparents on his mom’s side were Jewish immigrants. His dad, James, was a Catholic and has an English and Irish descent. 

On  May 19, 1997, Matthew and Sarah exchanged vows during a civil ceremony in a historic deconsecrated synagogue in New York. (Fun fact: Janet was actually the one who officiated.)

As for Sarah's religious upbringing? Her father is from Brooklyn and is Jewish — and Sarah herself as identifies as being Jewish. 

Matthew and Sarah share a son, James Wilke Broderick, who was born on Oct. 28, 2002. Matthew and Sarah also have twin daughters, Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge, who were born via surrogacy on June 22, 2009.

Before a performance of his off-Broadway play Evening at the Talkhouse, a member of the audience approached Matthew and said they wanted to invite him and his wife to be in the Manhattan Jewish Hall of Fame. Matthew thanked the patron and kept their business card — even if it was awkward timing. 

Speaking of plays, Matthew and Sarah recently announced they were suspending their Broadway revival of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Broadway doesn't stay quiet for long. We will be back...,” Sarah wrote on the Instagram post. "We count the days until the marquees are once again lit. In the meantime, we think of all those affected and hope for everyone's good health."

And there you have it! Even though Matthew doesn't really ever talk about his religion, all signs point to the fact that he does, in fact, identify as Jewish — even though his sister, Janet is an Episcopalian.

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