Vinnie Pazienza

Vinnie Pazienza, born Vincenzo Pazienza, burst onto the boxing scene with a style as aggressive as his nickname, "The Pazmanian Devil." A two-time world champion, he was known for his relentless attacking style and granite chin, earning him a dedicated following in the notoriously tough sport. His professional record stands as a testament to his grit, even if his post-career acting chops haven't quite reached championship levels.

Pazienza’s career took a dramatic turn in 1991 when a car accident left him with a broken neck and doctors telling him he might never walk, let alone fight, again. Undeterred, and with a halo brace screwed into his skull, he began training in secret. His return to the ring just 13 months later, culminating in a win against Luis Santana, is one of boxing's most legendary comebacks, proving that some devils simply refuse to stay down.

Given his decidedly non-Jewish background and a surname that screams "Italian," Vinnie Pazienza has no discernable connection to the tribe, despite the admirable chutzpah displayed in his career-reviving feat. He may have earned a reputation for being tough, but spiritually speaking, he's more likely to be found breaking bread than matzah.