Maria Tallchief

Born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief in Fairfax, Oklahoma, Maria Tallchief was of Osage Nation and Scottish-Irish descent. Her father, Alex Tall Chief, was a chief of the Osage Nation, making her heritage as distinctly not-Jewish as one can get without actively trying. She did, however, dance with an intensity that might make a rabbi kvell, if only she were performing at a particularly energetic bar mitzvah.

Tallchief’s career was a masterclass in breaking barriers. She wasn't just the first American prima ballerina; she was the first Native American prima ballerina, a title she held with immense pride and unparalleled talent. Her performances with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo and the New York City Ballet, where she became a muse for George Balanchine, redefined American ballet and showed the world that true artistry knows no ethnic bounds.

While Maria Tallchief's lack of Jewish bona fides means her I and O scores are a solid zero, her K-score is undeniably high. She achieved legendary status, inspired countless dancers, and brought immense pride to her Osage heritage and the broader American arts scene. If only she had married a Goldstein, we might have had something to work with.