Chaim Topol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chaim Topol | |
 Topol in the film Fiddler on the Roof. |
|
| Birth name | Chaim Topol |
| Born | September 9, 1935 (age 71) Tel Aviv, Palestine (now Israel) |
Chaim Topol (Hebrew: חיים טופול) (born September 9, 1935), often billed simply as Topol, is one of the most famous Israeli theatrical and film performers.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Topol was born in Tel Aviv, British Mandatory Palestine. He first practised acting in amateur theatrical plays staged by the Israeli Army. Subsequently he established his own theatre troupe in Tel Aviv, and in 1961 he significantly contributed to the foundation of the Haifa Municipal Theatre.
[edit] Acting career
Topol appeared in his first film in 1964, and in 1966 he made his first English-language screen appearance as Abou Ibn Kaqden in the big-budget Mickey Marcus biopic Cast a Giant Shadow.
He came to greatest prominence in the role of Tevye the milkman in the long-running musical show Fiddler on the Roof. After scoring a major success on the London stage, he later starred in the 1971 film version.
In 1972 Topol won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the film. He was on active service with the Israeli army at the time, but was granted permission to attend the awards ceremonies.
Some of his other notable appearances were in Galileo (1975), Flash Gordon (1980), and the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only (1981). One of Topol's best known roles in an Israeli production was in Sallah Shabati by Ephraim Kishon — a play, later adapted for film, depicting the hardships of a Mizrachi Jewish immigrant family in Israel of the early 1950s. He most recently starred in Left Luggage (1998) in the role of Mr. Apfelschnitt, and Time Elevator (1998) as Shalem.
[edit] Filmography
- Left Luggage (1998) as Mr. Apfelschnitt.
- Time Elevator (1998) as Shalem.
- War and Remembrance (1988) (mini) TV Series as Berel Jastrow.
- Queenie (1987) (TV) as Dimitri Goldner.
- Roman Behemshechim (1985) as Effi Avidar.
- The Winds of War (1983) (mini) TV Series as Berel Jastrow.
- For Your Eyes Only (1981) as Milos Columbo.
- Flash Gordon (1980) as Doctor Hans Zarkov.
- The House on Garibaldi Street (1979) (TV) as Michael.
- Galileo (1975) as Galileo Galilei.
- Follow Me! (1972) as Julian Cristoforou.
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971) as Tevye.
- The Going Up of David Lev (1971) (TV) as Chaim.
- Ha-Tarnegol (1971).
- Before Winter Comes (1969) as Janovic.
- A Talent for Loving (1969).
- Ervinka (1967) as Ervinka.
- Cast a Giant Shadow (1966) as Abou Ibn Kader.
- Sallah Shabbati (1964) as Sallah Shabati.
- El Dorado (1963) as Benny Sherman.
- I Like Mike (1961).
[edit] External links
- Chaim Topol at the Internet Movie Database
- Chaim Topol at the TCM Movie Database
- Chaim Topol at the Internet Broadway Database
