Is Louis Theroux Jewish? What he's said about religion and his terrifying encounter with neo-Nazis
Inside the Manosphere is on Netflix now
Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere is a troubling documentary, particularly when it tackles influencers’ use of anti-Semitic language. You may be wondering if Theroux is Jewish, and this is what he’s said.
The new Netflix documentary tackles the ‘manosphere’: the online culture of misogyny, toxic masculinity, and discussion about men’s issues and rights that often promotes unhealthy behaviours.
Towards the end of the film, Theroux discusses the clear current of anti-Semitism (performative or otherwise) in his subjects’ content. For example, one influencer – HStikkytokky – can be heard and seen shouting, “[Bleep] the Jews” on the streets of Marbella.
While Theroux never says outright in the documentary if he’s Jewish, he’s spoken about religion several times.
Is Louis Theroux Jewish?
No, Louis Theroux isn’t Jewish. He has confirmed this on three occasions.
Firstly, he says he’s an atheist in his Ultra Zionists BBC special.
Secondly, in response to a tweet in 2012 (which has since been deleted), Theroux wrote: “Not Jewish. As far as I know.”
Thirdly, in a YouTube video uploaded to BBC Brit’s channel in 2015, Theroux once again reiterated that he isn’t Jewish.
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“I can disclose this now… I’m not actually Jewish. I have no problem with being identified as Jewish, but it’s just not a factual statement,” he said, speaking about his infamous encounter with neo-Nazis (more on this shortly).
If you Google “is Louis Theroux Jewish”, its AI overview will tell you he was born to a Jewish mother. However, this isn’t true.
Speaking to America Magazine, he explained how his parents were “both lapsed in their faiths”.
“My dad was raised Catholic and my mum was Church of England, but we never went to church growing up,” Theroux said. “If anything I do feel I missed out on it a bit. Because I think [faith] gives you a mental furniture and almost something to push back on.”
When Louis Theroux refused to tell a Nazi if he was Jewish
Longtime fans of Louis Theroux will remember one of his most unforgettable documentaries: Louis and the Nazis.
It’s exactly what its title says: a film following Theroux as he meets racists and skinheads in America.
The most famous scene of the doc sees Theroux visiting Skip, a neo-Nazi in California. After some friendly conversation, he asks Skip’s friends if consider themselves white racists. He suggests they may have been on the fence with their response, which they take as an insult.
Theroux then asks Skip if it’d create a problem if he was Jewish. “Because you’ve got the camera right now, I’d allow you to stay. If not, I’d probably kick your ass and put you in the street somewhere,” he says.
When Skip asks if Theroux is Jewish, he asks if it’s okay if he doesn’t confirm or deny it. “By saying if I’m Jewish or not, I’m kind of in a way acknowledging the premise that it matters when I think it shouldn’t and doesn’t,” he explained to Skip.
This turns the interview sour, especially after Skip has a few drinks. They eventually demand to know, and Theroux refuses to answer.
Why Theroux wouldn’t say if he’s Jewish or not
While Theroux effectively explained why he felt it wasn’t appropriate to disclose or deny being Jewish, he discussed it further in a BAFTA interview in 2011.
“We decided that I was not going to say if I was Jewish or not. Partly as a principle, and – to be honest – partly because I knew it would wind up the skinheads,” he said.
“If they thought I was Jewish, there was likely to be a tension there. At the minute I said, “I’m not Jewish”, the tension would go, and the drama would go out of the film.”
Read more: New documentaries and true crime to watch in March 2026
