Chaim Topol (Hebrew: חיים טופול; born September 9, 1935), often billed simply as Topol, is an Israeli theatrical and film performer, singer, actor, comedian, voice artist, writer and producer. He is best known for his role as Tevye the dairyman in the production of Fiddler on the Roof on both stage and film. He has been nominated for an Academy Award and a Tony Award, and has won two Golden Globe Awards.
Topol was born in Tel Aviv in 1935 in what was then the British Mandate of Palestine, to Rel (née Goldman) and Jacob Topol. He first practiced 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.
Among Topol's earliest film appearances was the lead role in the 1964 film Sallah Shabati by Ephraim Kishon—a play, later adapted for film, depicting the hardships of a Mizrahi Jewish immigrant family in Israel of the early 1960s. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and earned the actor the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor. In 1966, Topol made his first English-language screen appearance as Abou Ibn Kaqden in the big-budget Mickey Marcus biopic Cast a Giant Shadow.
(NO ONE KNOWS NO ONE SEES NO ONE CAN SHARE NO ONE CAN FEEL IT BUT WE DON'T CARE
THE DESTINATION IS UNKNOWN FOR US BUT IN SORROW WE TRUST)
I know a man who's still brave enough to say things straight without
Hiding behind those cryptic words and that strength will last until the world burns
I will always remember those words he used to say better not to have been born
Than to live without glory and that man has now reached the point of no return
He's got nothing to lose nothing to win he doesn't have to pretend anything
Against our lives yours and mine is lady fortune not so kind
Bradenton Herald | 23 Apr 2021
The Guardian | 23 Apr 2021
The Independent | 22 Apr 2021
Vox | 22 Apr 2021