X
Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
Embeth Davidtz Biography
Birth Name:Embeth Jean Davidtz
Birth Place:Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Profession Actress, Director, Writer, Producer
Fast Facts
- Earned a degree in English literature from Rhodes University
- Made her stage debut in South Africa with the country's National Theater Company as Juliet in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet․"
- As a struggling actress, she worked as a waitress to support herself
- Best known for playing Jennifer Honey in "Matilda" and Helen Hirsch in "Schindler's List․"
- Moved to Los Angeles in 1991 with only a suitcase and $3000 to her name
- Got her breakout role in "Schindler's List" because director Steven Spielberg saw her performance in "Deadly Matrimony․"
- The daughter of South African immigrants, she can speak Afrikaans fluently
Awards
- 1993Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
- 2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actress - Comedy: nominated
- 2024Golden Eye Award-Best International Feature Film: nominated
- 2025Award of the Youth Jury-Best International Feature Film in the Category "Youth Film": nominated
- 2025New Voices/New Visions Grand Jury Prize-: nominated