Maia Emilia Ninel Morgenstern, born on 1 May 1962, is a famous actress from Romania. She is well-known for her roles in movies and theater. People in Romania consider her a symbol of their theater and film. In the English-speaking world, she is recognized for playing the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the movie “The Passion of the Christ,” directed by Mel Gibson.
Morgenstern was born in Bucharest, Romania, to a Jewish family. She attended the Zoia Kosmodeminskaia High School in Bucharest and graduated from the Film and Theatre Academy of Bucharest in 1985. She has been a part of various theaters in Bucharest, including the Youth Theater and the State Jewish Theatre.
She has acted in many Romanian films and gained national fame for her role in the movie “Balanța,” known as “The Oak” in the United States. In 2011, she received a star on the Romanian Walk of Fame in Bucharest.
Maia Morgenstern has also been involved in different stage productions, earning critical acclaim for her performances. Notably, she played Lola Lola in a Romanian-language production of “The Blue Angel” and Kathleen Hogan in “Park Your Car in Harvard Yard.”
Her surname, Morgenstern, means “Morning Star” in German, which is a title for the Virgin Mary. Mel Gibson, who directed “The Passion of the Christ,” found this significant when casting her for the role of the Virgin Mary.
In her personal life, Morgenstern has been married twice and has three children, including actor Tudor Aaron.
She has received various awards for her acting, including Best Actress awards for different films and stage productions. Despite controversies around “The Passion of the Christ,” she defended the movie against accusations of antisemitism in interviews.
Unfortunately, she has also faced threats, as a Romanian man was arrested in 2021 after sending her a threatening email.
Overall, Maia Emilia Ninel Morgenstern is a respected and accomplished actress in the world of Romanian theater and film.