Jesse Eisenberg, known for his roles in The Social Network, Illusion or Zombieland, has just become an official citizen of Poland! The actor, whose ancestors came from our country, has long emphasized his ties to Poland. Now, after years of cherishing his family history, he has decided to take a step further and accept Polish citizenship.

Jesse Eisenberg and his Polish roots

Although he was born in New York, his family roots lead straight to Poland. His ancestors came from the Polish lands, and his great-grandfather who immigrated to the States, Samuel, was born in Izbica, a town near Krasnystaw. Part of the family still lives in Poland. He has spoken many times about how important the memory of his ancestors is to him, and how he would like to learn more about the country his family came from.

“Real Pain” – a film tribute to Poland

Eisenberg is not only interested in Polish history, but also brings it to the screen. He made his directorial debut in 2024 with the film A Real Pain, which tells the story of two cousins (played by Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin) who travel to Poland in search of their family roots. Called a “love letter to Poland,” the film explores themes of memory, heritage and personal identity. The production received great acclaim around the world, and Eisenberg himself said that working on it was an extremely emotional experience for him.

Polish citizenship – a symbolic end to the journey

In May 2024, during the Impact’24 congress in Poznan, Jesse Eisenberg announced that he had officially applied for Polish citizenship. A few months later, in March 2025, the actor received citizenship from the hands of President Andrzej Duda. The ceremony took place in New York. In an emotional speech, he thanked for the opportunity to be a part of the Polish community and emphasized how much this honor means to him.

His decision can inspire many people with Polish roots around the world to learn more about their past and cherish their family stories.

Sources:

TVN24, Jesse Eisenberg z polskim obywatelstwem, https://tvn24.pl/polska/jesse-eisenberg-z-polskim-obywatelstwem-uroczyscie-nadal-mu-je-prezydent-andrzej-duda-st8334395, [access: 05.03.2025].

RMF24, Jesse Eisenberg z polskim obywatelstwem. Nadał mu je Andrzej Duda, https://www.rmf24.pl/kultura/news-jesse-eisenberg-z-polskim-obywatelstwem-nadal-mu-je-andrzej-,nId,7924669#crp_state=1, [access: 05.03.2025].