What Ethnicity Is Halle Berry?

What Ethnicity Was Cleopatra? Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, was primarily of Macedonian Greek descent. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great’s conquest in 332 BCE. The dynasty was founded by Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander’s generals, and for nearly 300 years, the Ptolemies preserved their Greek heritage by marrying within their own lineage. Although Cleopatra was culturally Egyptian—adopting local customs and being the only Ptolemaic ruler known to speak the Egyptian language—her ethnic background remained largely Greek. There is no definitive historical evidence that she had significant Egyptian, African, or non-Greek ancestry. However, due to limited records about her mother and grandmother, some scholars suggest the possibility of minor Persian or local Egyptian lineage, though this remains speculative. In summary, the scholarly consensus is that Cleopatra was ethnically Macedonian Greek, with a small but unconfirmed possibility of mixed ancestry. Her identity reflects a blend of Greek heritage and Egyptian political savvy, making her a uniquely influential figure in ancient history.

Goldie Hawn’s got that classic Hollywood mix going on! She’s mainly of Jewish descent — her family roots trace back to German, English, and Russian Jewish ancestors. Her mom was a jewelry shop owner and her dad was a bandleader and saxophone player, which probably gave her that cool artistic vibe from the start. So yeah, she’s got that rich Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, but like many Americans, her background is a blend of different European influences, making her identity pretty diverse and interesting.

So here’s the lowdown on Christian Bale: despite his Welsh birthplace, the guy’s actually English through and through. He was born in Wales but famously said, “I was born in Wales—but I’m not Welsh, I’m English.” Both his parents are English (his dad was born in South Africa but to English parents), and Bale spent much of his childhood bouncing between England, Portugal, and the U.S. Basically, Welsh setting, but English identity—that’s his vibe!

Bowen Yang is Chinese American, born to parents who immigrated from China. He was actually born in Brisbane, Australia, and spent part of his childhood in Canada before his family eventually settled in Colorado. His parents—his father from Inner Mongolia and his mother from Shenyang—raised him speaking Mandarin and nurturing a strong connection to their heritage. Throughout his life and career, his Chinese American identity has remained an integral part of who he is, and he has even made history as SNL’s first Chinese American cast member.

Jenny Slate’s got that classic American melting pot vibe going on! She’s Jewish on both sides of her family—her dad’s side is Ashkenazi Jewish and her mom’s side is Sephardic Jewish. So she’s rocking a rich, diverse Jewish heritage that’s part of her unique charm and comedic voice. It’s always cool to see how her background influences her humor and perspective, giving her that special spark on stage and screen.

Nope, Halle didn’t sneak in a baby at 50! She had her daughter, Nahla, in 2008 when she was about 41 or 42, and her son, Maceo, in October 2013 when she was 47. She’s talked about how “surprised” she was—calling that pregnancy a total “geriatric pregnancy”—but there’s nothing in the reports about any more kids popping up at 50. Just two already-grown kiddos and a lot of love and laughs.

It's pretty neat to peel back the layers of an artist's background because it often colors how they present themselves. The Weeknd is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, a Canadian born in Toronto whose family roots are firmly Ethiopian. In plain terms: his nationality is Canadian, but his ethnicity is Ethiopian — his parents immigrated from Ethiopia to Canada before he was born. That Ethiopian heritage shows up in small ways around his life and the way people talk about him, even if his music lives squarely in global R&B and pop landscapes. Growing up in Toronto's diverse neighborhoods, Abel carried that Ethiopian identity alongside the everyday experiences of being a Black kid in Canada. Ethnicity is about shared culture, ancestry, language, and sometimes religion; for him that lineage traces back to Ethiopia. People sometimes mix up nationality and ethnicity, or lump everyone from the Horn of Africa together, but the straightforward label for his family background is Ethiopian. I find it interesting how many fans who only know him from the spotlight are surprised to learn about his specific roots — it adds a dimension when you reread old interviews or watch early footage where Toronto's multiculturalism and his family's past quietly intersect. On a more personal note, I like thinking about how artists carry these heritages with them even when they don't overtly sing in their ancestral languages or use traditional instruments. It can show up in cadence, in storytelling instincts, even in fashion choices or the foods they mention offhand. For The Weeknd, that Ethiopian connection is part of a layered identity: a Toronto-born artist of Ethiopian descent whose voice has become a global one. It doesn't define him completely, but it informs him, and that mix of local upbringing plus ethnic roots feels like a big part of what makes his public persona so textured. Makes me want to dig into the Ethiopian music scene more next time I'm curating a playlist.

I've been following 'The Berry Pickers' since its release, and its award journey has been impressive. The novel won the Indigenous Voices Award for English Prose, which was a massive recognition of its authentic portrayal of Indigenous experiences. It was also shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction, one of Canada's most prestigious literary honors. The book's haunting narrative about family and loss resonated deeply with critics, landing it a spot on the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize shortlist. Beyond these major nods, 'The Berry Pickers' has been featured in multiple 'Best of the Year' lists by publications like CBC Books and The Globe and Mail. What makes these accolades special is how they highlight the book's emotional depth and cultural significance. The author's ability to weave personal grief with broader historical trauma struck a chord, making it stand out in contemporary Indigenous literature. The awards attention has brought more readers to this gem, sparking important conversations about identity and memory in modern storytelling.