A brief biography of Chaim Topol (חיים טופול)
Do you remember the movie Fiddler on the Roof? Probably not since it’s from the 70s. It was a musical with Chaim Topol playing the lead. He was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Tevye. Recently Chaim Topol died at the age of 87 following a long illness, Alzheimer's. He was one of the greatest Israeli actors, singers, and illustrators. Topol is still best known for his portrayal of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, both in the 1971 film adaptation and the stage musical.
The Israeli Prime Minister conveyed his condolences and paid tribute to Topol, calling him a “multi-faceted artist, with great charisma and energy.” President Isaac Herzog issued a statement honoring "one of the most prominent Israeli stage artists, a gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and, above all, deeply entered our hearts".
Born September 9, 1935, in Tel Aviv, Chaim Topol’s parents both had Hasidic roots. He and his two younger sisters grew up in Florentin’s (South Tel Aviv) working-class neighbourhood. As a young child, he wanted to become a commercial artist, but his elementary school teacher (writer Yemima Avidar-Tchernovitz) saw and encouraged his theatrical side. When he was 14, he began working as a printer for Davar newspaper at day while pursuing his high school studies at night. He graduated at 17, moved to Kibbutz Geva, and signed up for the Israeli army a year after that.
There he began his career as an actor after being assigned to the entertainment troop while doing army service in Israel. While he was serving, he also met his wife, Galia Finkelstein. And after his service, he and his wife settled down in Kibbutz Mishmar David. There he assembled a kibbutz theatre company made up of friends, that existed from early 1957 to the mid-1960s. Topol both sang and acted with the group, doing both "loudly". Topol’s first movie appearance was in 1961 film ‘I Like Mike’, and later he made an appearance in Isreali film ‘El Dorado’, followed by his breakthrough role in ‘Sallah Shabati’, and many more.
His acting won many international film awards, such as two Golden Globes: A most promising newcomer in 1965 for playing in Sallah Shabati and best actor in a motion picture musical for Fiddler on the Roof in 1972.
In June of 2022, Omer (Topol's son) revealed that his father was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. And on March 8, 2023, the press was notified by Chaim Topol’s family that he was living his final hours, and they asked the public to respect the family’s privacy. He passed away overnight. Before his burial at Kvutzat Shiller on March 10, at Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv, a memorial was held on March 9.
Former prime minister Yair Lapid remarked, "He and his smile will continue to accompany Israeli culture, his rich legacy will forever remain a part of Israel".
May his memory be a blessing.