Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts graduate Shira Haas began her professional career at age 14, performing in plays at Tel Aviv’s Cameri Theater. Since then, the Israeli actor has built an extensive international portfolio spanning theatre, independent cinema, and large-scale streaming productions, eventually becoming the first Israeli performer nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1995, Haas was raised in Hod HaSharon after moving from Tel Aviv at age one. During her youth, she survived kidney cancer, an illness that required years of radiation and impacted her physical growth. She later attended the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts with a major in theatre and completed a period of volunteer service within the Israel Defense Forces' theatre unit.
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Haas made her professional television debut in 2013 on the series Shtisel. Her film career commenced in 2014 with the lead role in Princess, a project secured after she was contacted via social media. Her early filmography includes appearances in A Tale of Love and Darkness, The Zookeeper's Wife, and the award-winning film Asia. In 2018, she won an Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Noble Savage.
International Recognition
In 2020, Haas gained global visibility for her lead performance in the Netflix miniseries Unorthodox, a project filmed in Berlin that required her to learn Yiddish and musical performance skills. That same year, she won the Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best Actress for Asia. Her industry recognition continued in 2021 when she earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a Scripted Series.
Recent Work and Public Profile
Haas has continued to work in international projects including the Netflix series Bodies and the 2024 drama Ethel. In 2025, she appeared as Ruth Bat-Seraph in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: Brave New World. She also participated in the London West End musical Opening Night, playing the character Nancy.
Fast facts
- Born: 1995, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Education: Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts
- Professional Debut: 2010
- 2020 Ophir Award: Best Supporting Actress
- 2021 Independent Spirit Award: Best Female Performance in a Scripted Series
- 2025 Film: Captain America: Brave New World
- Citizenship: Israel
Questions readers ask
Was Shira Haas the first Israeli actor to receive an Emmy nomination?
Yes, she became the first Israeli actor to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her lead performance in the series Unorthodox.
What medical challenge did Haas face as a child?
She was diagnosed with kidney cancer at age two, which resulted in years of radiation treatment.
