Shira Haas has become one of Israel’s most recognized actresses on the international stage. Born on May 11, 1995, in Tel Aviv, Israel, this Emmy-nominated actress stands approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and has captured global attention through her powerful performances. Her journey from childhood cancer survivor to Marvel Cinematic Universe star shows remarkable resilience and talent.
Shira Haas Quick Bio/Wiki
| Bio/Wiki | Details |
| Full Name | Shira Haas |
| Born | May 11, 1995, Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Age | 30 years old (2025) |
| Height | 5’2″ (1.57m) |
| Profession | Israeli actress |
| Education | Thelma Yellin High School of Arts |
| Breakthrough | Princess (2014) |
| Notable Work | Unorthodox, Captain America: Brave New World |
| Awards | Emmy nominee, Ophir Awards winner |
| Agency | Creative Artists Agency (CAA) |
Shira Haas Personal Background and Early Life
Shira Haas grew up in a family with deep Jewish heritage and Holocaust survivors among her grandparents. Her grandfather survived Auschwitz concentration camp, while her grandmother immigrated from Hungary to Israel. The family moved from Tel Aviv to Hod HaSharon when she was one year old, where she lived with older sister Dotan Haas and a brother.
Her Hebrew name means “poetry” or “singing,” which proved fitting for someone who would later use storytelling to connect with audiences worldwide. At age two, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, undergoing treatment until age six that stunted her growth but profoundly shaped her perspective. She has reflected that being ill forced her to mature early and gave her deep understanding of pain and suffering.
Her 86-year-old grandmother remains an important figure in her life and helped connect her to the Yiddish language she would later need for professional roles. The family maintained strong connections to their cultural roots throughout her upbringing.
Education and Early Development
Shira Haas attended Thelma Yellin High School of Arts in Givatayim, Israel, majoring in theater. This specialized education provided the foundation for her acting career and helped develop her natural talents. At age 14, she began performing at Tel Aviv’s Cameri Theater in productions including “Ghetto” and Shakespeare’s “Richard III” while still in high school.
Despite receiving a medical exemption from mandatory military service due to her childhood cancer treatment, Haas chose to volunteer with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) theater unit and Military Band. This voluntary service demonstrated her commitment to her country and provided performance experience in a different context.
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Shira Haas Career Discovery and Breakthrough
Israeli casting director Esther Kling discovered Shira Haas through Facebook in 2014 when she was 16 years old. Kling encouraged her to audition for the film “Princess (2014),” which became her breakthrough role. Haas described opening the door to that first audition as “stepping into Narnia” and never looked back.
Her debut performance earned critical acclaim and awards at the Jerusalem Film Festival. The Hollywood Reporter praised her ability to portray a 12-year-old character convincingly with her petite frame. She also won Best Actress at the Peace & Love Film Festival in 2015.
The success opened doors to “A Tale of Love and Darkness” (2015)Her performance earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, making her the first Israeli actress nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
, directed by Natalie Portman, who became a role model. She later appeared in “The Zookeeper’s Wife” (2017) alongside Jessica Chastain and “Foxtrot” (2017), Israel’s Oscar submission.
International Recognition
Shira Haas gained widespread international recognition through the Netflix series “Unorthodox” in 2020. She portrayed Esther “Esty” Shapiro, a young woman fleeing her Ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn. The role required two months in Berlin learning Yiddish, piano and singing lessons, and shaving her head for authenticity.
She described the Yiddish language learning as becoming “an obsession” and noted it offered “a connection to my history, it’s the language my grandparents spoke in Europe.”
The success led to roles in Netflix science fiction series “Bodies” (2023) and continued building her global presence. Her ability to portray complex characters with emotional depth attracted attention from major entertainment companies.
Shira Haas Marvel Cinematic Universe Entry
In 2025, Shira Haas joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “Captain America: Brave New World,” portraying Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Black Widow operative who works for President Ross, played by Harrison Ford. She described Ford as “the legend” both on and off screen.
Her casting received media attention, but Haas focused on preparing for the role with dedication. She underwent intensive physical training five days a week for several months, describing the transformation as an enjoyable part of getting into character.
The character represents a departure from the traditional comic book Sabra, being reimagined as a former Soviet-trained Black Widow with Israeli connections to address political sensitivities. At the premiere, she wore a yellow dress with a gold ribbon earring, reminiscent of symbols showing solidarity with Israeli hostages.
Shira Haas Personal Life and Relationships
Shira Haas maintains significant privacy regarding her personal life. She ended a four-year relationship with film director Ido Weisman in early 2025, according to Israeli media reports. She previously dated Daniel Moreshet, though details remain private.
In August 2022, she experienced profound loss when her mother, Ariela “Leah” Haas, died of cancer at age 61. This loss deeply affected her, and acting helped her process grief, particularly through her role in “Night Therapy.”
She describes herself as naturally shy and introverted, staying up until 3 AM engaged in creative activities like reading, writing, and rehearsing. She calls these her “magical hours of silence.” She has a documented fear of cats due to allergies and unusual sleep patterns that fuel her creativity.
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Professional Methods and Philosophy
Shira Haas develops detailed preparation methods for complex roles. She creates color-coded charts for tracking character development, particularly useful for films shot out of sequence. For “Asia” (2020), she made a chart showing her character Vika’s physical deterioration stages.
She makes character playlists to connect emotionally with different roles and takes costume pieces home to better embody characters. Her acting philosophy centers on using storytelling as protection: “Acting is exposing, but telling a story gives me a protective shield to hide behind.”
She specifically mentioned Stefan Zweig’s “Beware of Pity” as influential reading, along with works by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross about grief stages. These literary influences inform her character development process.
Awards and Recognition
Shira Haas has won multiple Ophir Awards (Israel’s equivalent to the Oscars) for Best Supporting Actress: “Noble Savage” (2018), “Asia” (2020), and “Night Therapy” (2025). Her international recognition includes an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series for “Unorthodox” (2021).
She received nominations for Satellite Awards, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and German Television Awards for “Unorthodox.” She won Best International Actress at the Tribeca Film Festival for “Asia” and received the Golden Nymph Award Jury Special Prize in 2024 for “Night Therapy.”
She was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 lists in Israel (2019) and North America (2021), recognizing her rising influence in entertainment.
Shira Haas Professional Representation and Business
Shira Haas signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in June 2020, one of Hollywood’s top talent agencies. This representation helped expand her international opportunities and connect her with major projects. She has endorsement deals with luxury brands including Chanel Beauty, Gucci, Dana Harel, and Mako.
Early in her career, her agent wrote her a note saying “Let go, trust the journey and things will happen.” This philosophy of trust and openness has guided her professional decisions and helped her navigate career uncertainty.
Recent Work and Current Projects
In 2024, Shira Haas starred in the West End musical “Opening Night” at the Gielgud Theatre in London, playing Nancy. This demonstrated her versatility across film, television, and theater. She also starred in the titular role of historic drama “Ethel” in 2024.
Her role in “Night Therapy” (2024-2025) became particularly meaningful for processing grief after her mother’s death. She won a supporting actress award at the 2025 Israeli Television Academy Awards and dedicated episodes 6 and 7 to her mother’s memory on Instagram.
Cultural and Political Engagement
In October 2023, Shira Haas joined hundreds of Hollywood actors signing an open letter to President Biden calling for support in securing hostage releases following the October 7 attacks against Israel. She has faced antisemitic threats related to her Marvel role but remained committed to the project.
Her work often explores Jewish heritage and ultra-Orthodox communities with authenticity and respect. She notes these roles taught her to be “less judgmental and more empathic” and challenged her preconceptions about these communities.
Legacy and Influence
Shira Haas represents a new generation of Israeli actors achieving international recognition. Her journey demonstrates the global reach of contemporary entertainment and serves as inspiration for actors from smaller markets seeking international success. Her advocacy for authentic storytelling influences how Jewish and Israeli characters are portrayed in international media.
She embodies resilience in both personal and professional contexts. As she noted about her superhero role: “We need to be the superheroes. We need to be the best versions of ourselves, with good intentions.”
Conclusion
At 30 years old in 2025, Shira Haas continues building an impressive career spanning Israeli and international entertainment. Her combination of natural talent, meticulous preparation methods, and cultural authenticity positions her for continued success while remaining connected to her Israeli roots.
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FAQ’s About Shira Haas
How tall is Shira Haas?
Shira Haas is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall (1.57 meters), with her petite stature partly attributed to childhood medical treatments.
What is Shira Haas’s age in 2025?
Born May 11, 1995, she is 30 years old as of 2025.
Is Shira Haas married?
No, she is not married. She ended a four-year relationship with director Ido Weisman in early 2025.
What is Shira Haas’s most famous role?
Her Emmy-nominated performance as Esther “Esty” Shapiro in Netflix’s “Unorthodox” (2020).
What Marvel character does she play?
Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Black Widow operative in “Captain America: Brave New World” (2025).
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