David Baddiel has called the Oscar nods for movies Golda and Maestro in hair and makeup ‘Oscar nominations for Jew-face’ following backlash over the Helen Mirren and Bradley Cooper films.
The Jewish comedian took to social media to mock the nominations for the two 2023 films, which alter Mirren and Cooper’s appearance to make them look more Jewish.
In his post on X he wrote: ‘I see The Academy have shortlisted Golda and Maestro in the *Hair And Makeup* category. Literally: Oscar nominations for Jewface.’
It comes after the actors faced backlash for taking on the parts as neither of them are Jewish, with Mirren playing former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and Cooper playing American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein.
Reacting to Baddiel’s post, one person commented: ‘I don’t want to laugh at that comment but it did actually make me Lol! Sorry!’
Bradley Cooper as American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein in Maestro
Helen Mirren as former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the 2023 film Golda
Bradley Cooper performing as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro. His prosthetic nose caused controversy with some branding the move ‘jewface’
Dame Helen (left, in character) portrays Golda Meir (right, in 1970) also known as the Iron Lady of Israel
Cooper and his then partner Irina Shayk attend the Oscars in 2019 in Hollywood
Another said: ‘The makeup in both films was outstanding.’
Mirren faced criticism last year for taking on the role of Golda Meir, before pointing out it was not the first time she played a Jew and she is convinced she has Jewish heritage somewhere down the line.
Discussing the controversial casting, she told Radio Times: ‘The whole issue of casting has exploded out of the water fairly recently.
‘I’ve had other Jewish roles [in Woman in Gold and The Debt], but not an uber-Jewish role like Golda Meir.
‘I did tell [Guy Nattiv, the Israeli Jewish director] that I’m not Jewish, in case he thought I was. I said, ‘If that’s an issue, I’ll step away, no problem.’ But he said, ‘No, it’s not an issue. I want you to play Golda.’ And off we went.’
Meanwhile, Cooper – who also directed Maestro – was called out for playing to ‘Jewface’ stereotypes with the exaggerated facial feature and the casting of a non-Jewish actor in a Jewish role.
Gary Archer, who is based in Los Angeles and has worked on films such as The Wolf of Wall Street, Mrs. Doubtfire, Interview with the Vampire, and the Austin Powers movies, described the reaction as ‘horribly woke’ and said the uproar is simply ‘stupid’.