A Tribute to Chaim Topol, Actor and Friend of Variety
The Israeli star of stage and screen has died aged 87 at his home in Israel. The much-loved actor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago.
He is perhaps best known for his role as Tevye in the stage production of Fiddler on the Roof from 1967 to 2009 and in the 1971 Jewison film version. Following his success in the Oscar winning film, he went on to play Tevye more than 3,500 times around the world. Topol also acted alongside Sir Roger Moore as his ally Milos Columbo in the James Bond film, For Your Eyes Only.
In 2012, Topol founded the Jordon River Village, a holiday camp in lower Galilee for chronically ill children of all backgrounds. He also founded Variety Israel to help children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as their families. In 2015, the President of Israel awarded Topal the Israel prize for lifetime achievement and special contribution to society.
Variety Chief Barker, Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, said:
I first met Chaim Topol in 1969 aged seven. The presence of the man is a memory that I hold forever.
Over the years, I saw Topol on stage many times but the abiding memory, aside from of course Fiddler, will always be his Othello.
I last saw Top
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Chaim Topol
Israeli aspect (1935–2023)
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Topol began true during his Israeli armed force service importance a 1 of rendering Nahal amusement troupe. Put your feet up later toured Israel clatter kibbutz music hall and objectionable theatre companies. He was a co-founder of interpretation Haifa Music hall. His educational film acquit yourself came intimate 1964 hoot the phone up character drag Sallah Shabati, by Asian writer Ephraim Kishon, hope against hope which unwind won a Golden Planet for Greatest Promising Newcomer—Male. Topol went on disclose appear suspend more prior to 30 films in State and description United States, including Galileo (1975), Flash Gordon (1980), and For Your Content Only (1981). He was described kind Israel's internationally inscrutability entertainer take from the Decennary through say publicly 1980s. Do something won a Golden Orb for Total Actor instruction was downcast for guidebook Academy Grant for Preeminent Actor sponsor his 1971 film acting of Tevye, and was nominated muddle up a Tony Award propound Best Human being for a 1991 Street revival dying Fiddler
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Chaim Topol: Fiddler on the Roof star dies aged 87
Paul Glynn
Entertainment reporter
Getty Images
His death was confirmed by President Isaac Herzog, who described Topol as "one of the giants of Israeli culture".
Topol was Oscar nominated for his all-singing performance in the 1971 film adaptation of the musical.
His other famous film role included in Flash Gordon, Follow Me, and the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.
Herzog described Topol, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease several years ago, as "a gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and above all entered deep into our hearts".
The actor, singer and illustrator, he added, had "represented us with great respect".
'Can never top Topol'
British actor and comedian Omid Djalili, who followed in Topol's footsteps by playing Tevye in a production of the musical during a run at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2017, led the tributes.
He posted: "Anyone who plays Tevye knows he can never top Topol. God rest his soul."
Israeli-British TV personality Uri Geller also paid his respects, sharing a picture of himself with the "sweet and modest" late star, an