Famed Israeli actor Chaim Topol, best known simply as Topol, has died at the age of 87 following a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Topol is most famous for his performance as Tevye the Dairyman in “Fiddler on the Roof,” playing the role on stage for over forty years and more than 4000 performances. The work became his signature part with the actor playing it on stages across many cities of the world.
He also played the 50-something role on screen in the 1971 film adaptation which landed him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe award.
Outside of ‘Fiddler’ he’s best known for his roles as Dr. Hans Zarkov in Mike Hodges’ 1980 sci-fi cult classic “Flash Gordon,” and as the helpful Columbo in Roger Moore’s most serious and straightforward James Bond entry “For Your Eyes Only” in 1981.
Topol broke through with 1964’s “Sallah Shabati” and was also known for leading a 1975 biopic about Galileo Galilei along with roles in TV works like “Seaquest DSV,” “The House on Garibaldi Street” and “War and Remembrance”.
He is survived by a wife and three children. In 2015 he was awarded the Israel Prize – the country’s most prestigious award – for lifetime achievement and special contribution to society and the state.
Source: BBC
