- Chaim Topol, an actor, reportedly battled Alzheimer’s disease until his death at age 87.
- Israeli politicians confirmed that the renowned actor had died in Tel Aviv on Thursday.
- His cinematic debut came in 1964 when he played the lead in the Israeli film “Sallah Shabati.”
Israeli politicians confirmed that the renowned actor, who achieved international acclaim for his depiction of the hopeless milkman Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” had died in Tel Aviv on Thursday. (09.03.23)
Although the cause of his passing has not yet been made public, according to Deadline, he has battled dementia for years.
Chaim, one of Israel’s most adored actors, won two Golden Globes and was nominated for an Oscar and a Tony Award. He is survived by his wife Galia Finkelstein, whom he married in 1956, three children, and several grandkids.
His cinematic debut came in 1964 when he played the lead in the Israeli film “Sallah Shabati,” which made cinema history by being the first Israeli film to receive an Oscar nomination. He began performing in a theatre troupe with the Israeli army in the 1950s.
In “Cast a Giant Shadow,” which was released two years later, Chaim made his English-language film debut alongside Kirk Douglas. More recently, in 2015, he received the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement, which is the highest honour bestowed by his nation, in recognition of his contributions to film and culture.
Among celebrities leading tributes to Chaim was actor Cary Elwes, 60, who tweeted: “RIP Topol. There could only ever be one Fiddler on the Roof. What joys I experienced as a child watching him work and spending time with his family. He was truly larger than life. A great husband to his wife, Galia, and a great father to his children. My heart breaks for them.”
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