Hollywood Stars of Ukrainian Descent: Who They Are and How They Stand with Ukraine

Actors with Ukrainian Roots Making an Impact in Hollywood

According to РБК-Україна — Lite: A number of actors in Hollywood either have Ukrainian ancestry or strong ties to Ukraine. Beyond bringing Ukrainian culture into the global spotlight, these celebrities have actively shown support for the country, especially since the full-scale war broke out in 2022. Notably, several well-known figures include:

• Milla Jovovich
• Vera Farmiga
• Katheryn Winnick
• Misha Collins
• Ivanna Sakhno

Notable Personalities

Milla Jovovich was born in Kyiv and moved to the United States at age five, after spending time in Moscow and the United Kingdom. She has performed Ukrainian folk songs and knows some Ukrainian phrases, though in public interviews she typically speaks English and Russian. After the war began, she spoke out about the invasion in her country of birth, making her solidarity clear.

Vera Farmiga, though born in New Jersey, comes from a family of Ukrainian immigrants. Until she was six, she spoke no English and took part in Ukrainian folk dancing. She co-hosted a concert marking the 100th anniversary of 'Shchedryk' at Carnegie Hall, further highlighting her cultural connection.

Katheryn Winnick, a Canadian actress, was raised in a Ukrainian family. Ukrainian was her only language until age eight, reflecting her deep roots in Ukrainian traditions. She attended a Ukrainian Saturday school and was a member of Plast, the Ukrainian scouting organization. She has served as an ambassador for UNITED24 and publicly recited Volodymyr Sosiura’s poetry in Ukrainian to promote her heritage.

Misha Collins has Ukrainian ancestry, with his forebears living in the Kyiv region. Since the full-scale invasion began, he has traveled to Kyiv multiple times. While he is not fluent in Ukrainian, in 2023 he recorded a video in Ukrainian for UNITED24 and joined a recitation of Volodymyr Sosiura's poem 'Love Ukraine.'

Ivanna Sakhno, a Ukrainian actress, was born in Kyiv and spent most of her childhood in Ukraine. She moved to the U.S. as a teenager but returned to her homeland after the war started. She took part in a UNITED24 video featuring recitations of 'Love Ukraine,' showing her ongoing support for the country.

These actors not only represent Ukrainian culture internationally but also demonstrate solidarity with the Ukrainian people during challenging times.

The involvement of Ukrainian-rooted Hollywood stars matters not only for promoting Ukrainian culture but also for raising global awareness about the situation in Ukraine. By leveraging their platforms, these celebrities draw attention to key issues affecting Ukrainians and offer moral support. This, in turn, can help strengthen ties between Ukraine and the international community during moments of crisis.