An Israeli and international star.
Haim Topol (Photo: Niv Aharonson)
Chaim Topol, one of Israel's leading film and theater actors, died today (Thursday) at the age of 87. Topol was a huge success in Israel and the world, and is remembered, among other things, for his roles as Saleh Shabbati and Tobiah the Milkman in the play and movie "Fiddler on the Roof".
He received the Israel Award for Lifetime Achievement - a special contribution to society and the country, was nominated for the Academy Award and the Tony Award and won two Golden Globe Awards.
In addition, he was active as a writer, painter, voice actor, singer and producer.
In early June 2022, it became known that Topol suffers from Alzheimer's.
His son Omar told Yediot Ahronoth in an interview that when he was awarded the Israel Prize in 2015, Alzheimer's was in its early stages, and they didn't feel it yet.
But in the past year, due to his medical condition, he could no longer come to receive the Knesset Speaker's Award he won for his life's work - the Jordan River Village intended for children suffering from incurable diseases.
Israel's cinema grants.
Topol (Photo: Shlomi Gabbai)
Topel was born and raised in Tel Aviv.
In his youth he worked in a printing house and spent his military service as a member of the Nahal troupe. In the troupe he met Galia, who would become his wife until the end of his life, and also Uri Zohar, who was his performance partner for many years. In the Nahal troupe, Topul first played the character of "Saleh Shabti " in sketches written by Ephraim Kishon, which formed the basis of the motion picture of the same name.
In 1957, together with Uri Zohar, Gabi Amarni and other members of the Nahal band, he founded the "Bezal Yerok" entertainment band. The band put on five shows until it disbanded in 1961. In 1960, Topol was one of the founders of the "Haifa Municipal Theater", and appeared as Petrozio in "The Taming of the Shrew" and Jean in "The Rhinos". In 1962 Topol played Judge Azdak in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" alongside Zaharira Harifai, a play that won critical acclaim and was staged at the Venice Film Festival. His first role in the cinema was in 1961 in the film "I Like Mike " Directed by Peter Fry. In 1963 he appeared in the film "
In 1964, he played one of his best-known roles in Israel - the lead role in Ephraim Kishon's "Salah Shabbati".
The film was a success in Israel and was also marketed in the United States.
Topol won the Golden Globe Award for his performance in the "Discovery of the Year" category, and the film itself won the "Golden Globe" in the "Best Foreign Film" category and was even nominated for the Academy Award in the "Best Foreign Film" category.
The song "Old Messiah" that Topul sang in the film became a big hit in Israel.
In 1966, Topol's international career began when he began performing in London in his most famous role, Tovia the Milkman, in the musical "Fiddler on the Roof".
In this role he starred for many years on Broadway and in London.
The musical's songs are also known for his performance, especially the song "If I Were A Rich Man" (in the English version: "If I Were A Rich Man").
In the same year, he appeared for the first time in the English-speaking film "Cast a Huge Shadow" starring Kirk Douglas.
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In 1971, the film version of "Fiddler on the Roof" was released, in which Topol played the lead role.
For his role, he won the Golden Globe Award in the "Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy" category and was even nominated for the Oscar Award for Best Actor in 1971. Following the film, Topol became an international star and continued to appear in many films.
Other important appearances in his bio were in the role of Galileo Galilei in the film "Galileo" (1975), "Flash Gordon" (1980), and in the James Bond series film - "For Your Eyes Only" (1981).
In 1985 he appeared in the Israeli film "Roman in continuations" alongside his wife Galia and daughter Anat.
Topol starred on English television in BBC series, among others in the series "It's Topol" and "Israel according to Topol".
He also appeared in the mini-series "Ghosts of War" and "War and Remembrance" based on the books of Herman Walk.
Topol voiced the character of Bagira the panther in "The Jungle Book"
In 1998, he again played the character of Tovia the milkman in an Israeli production of "Fiddler on the Roof", and his daughter Adi played one of Tovia's daughters.
In 2001, he played at the Gesher Theater in the play "The Devil in Moscow".
His autobiography "Topol by Topol" was published in London, and in Israel it was published as "Haim tells about Topol".
He illustrated about 20 books, and published his book "The Treasury of Jewish Humor".
In 2008 Topol moderated the Israel Awards ceremony alongside Merav Miller.
In the same year, he received the Israel Festival's Dearest Award for his contribution to Israeli culture.
The award was given to him as part of "The Voice from the Movies" - a tribute show to Israeli movie songs, which took place at the Sultan Pool.
Topol participated in a London production of the play Gigi, and in early 2009 he went on tour in the production of "Fiddler on the Roof" in the United States.
In addition, Topol initiated, established and serves as chairman of the board of directors of "Kfar Nahar Jordan", a holiday village for children with incurable diseases located in the Lower Galilee. In 2022, the Speaker of the Knesset, Miki Levy, awarded him the Knesset Speaker's Award for establishing the institution, And due to his medical condition, he could not come to receive the award. Topol is also an amateur painter. A series of stamps, on which portraits of the presidents of the State of Israel painted by Topol, were issued by the Stamp Service in 2013. Sheets of the series were sold as a donation to the Jordan River Village.
Topol won the Israel Prize for the year 2015 (2015) for life's work - a special contribution to society and the country. Among the reasons of the award committee: "Haim Topol is one of the cultural assets of the State of Israel.
He is one of the most important and prominent entertainment and stage stars in Israel and the most prominent of the Israeli artists who have appeared on world stages.
His diverse and many years of stage activity made him one of the most well-known, beloved and prominent Israeli actors in Israel and the world.
His international artistic success spans the world (...) His activities left a mark on the foundations and infrastructure of the Israeli stage world, foundations that led to the development of the field and are still evident today in music, singing, acting and entertainment in the State of Israel.
His artistic activity touches the fabric of Israeli society and resonates among the communities of the Jewish people in the world."
It was also noted among the committee's reasons: "Topol works tirelessly in advocacy, and serves as an unofficial ambassador for Israel in the countries of the world in general and among the Jewish communities in particular. His activity in this field went far beyond his artistic duties. He contributed greatly to the image of the State of Israel as it is reflected in the international media Mr. Haim Toful also has an important place in social work in Israel. He initiated and established the 'Kfar Nahar Jordan', a holiday village in the Lower Galilee that dedicates its activities to children suffering from incurable diseases. The holiday village, whose doors are open to children from all walks of life in Israel, offers an unforgettable holiday experience It invites the children to experience unique and diverse camping and creative experiences, thus brightening and enriching their lives. The village has an innovative and sophisticated medical center staffed by doctors specializing in pediatrics who are responsible for taking care of all the medical needs of the vacationing children."
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