Jerry Goldsmith

Jerry Goldsmith was born in Los Angeles, California, to a Jewish family, though his personal identification with his Jewish heritage remained largely private. While his surname certainly sounds like it came from the tribe, there's no widespread indication he was lighting Shabbat candles every Friday night, or even every other Friday night. He was, however, quite good at writing music.

Good enough, in fact, to be nominated for 18 Academy Awards, winning one for