Chaim is dead baby mousethe famous Israeli actor who played the classic character Tevye the milkman in the musical film The Fiddler on the Roofby director Norman Jewison, released in 1971. He was 87 years old.
The sad news was given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Thursday. He described him as a “multifaceted artist, with great charisma and energy”.
He added: “Unfortunately, the fiddler on the roof is no longer with us. The strings of the violin have become mute. Chaim Topol’s life story has been sealed, but I’m sure his contribution to Israeli culture will last for generations.”
Topoli, plain
Born on September 9, 1935 in Tel Aviv, Topol was known by his surname throughout his career.
He has won numerous international awards throughout his career, including two Golden Globes: Revelation in 1965 for his starring role in Salah Shabbati (a seminal film in the history of Israeli cinema) and Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for The Fiddler on the Roof in 1972, which was also the first nomination for an Israeli film for best foreign film.
Plus Topol was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the beloved character Tevye the Milkman.
Other notable roles he played were Dr. Hans Tsarkov in FlashGordon (1980) and that of Milos Columbo together with James Bond by Roger Moore in For your eyes only (1981).
On television, he brought Polish Jew Berel Jastrow to life in the miniseries The winds of war (1983) and thereafter war memories (1988). In Spain, he received the Silver Shell at the San Sebastian Film Festival for best actor for his role in follow meby Carol Reed.
Also came to Broadway in 1990, to play Tevye. She played more than 3,500 performances and finished the role with a farewell tour of the United States in 2009. She won a Tony for this work.
Eight years ago, Netanyahu presented Topol with the Israel Prize, considered the country’s most prestigious cultural award.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog also posted a statement on Twitter, paying tribute to the late actor.
“From violinist on the roof to the roof of the world, Chaim Topol, who has passed away, was one of the most important Israeli theater artists, a talented actor who conquered many stages in Israel and abroad, filled the cinema screens with his presence and, above all, he entered deeply into our hearts”.
According to Herzog and Netanyahu, Topol was also involved in charity work with sick and disabled children.
“Topol was one of the giants of Israeli culture and he will be greatly missed,” Herzog tweeted.
It was also amateur painter. He made a series of portraits of Israeli presidents, which were included on postage stamps in 2013, and part of the funds raised from their sale went to one of his many charitable projects.
Topol is survived by his wife, Galia Topol, and their three children.
Source: Clarin
