What Happened to Chaim Topol? Discovering the Latest Updates and News

What happened to Chaim Topol? Find out the latest updates and news about the renowned Israeli actor Chaim Topol known for his iconic role in 'Fiddler on the Roof.

by Ushapriyanga | Updated Mar 10, 2023

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Who is Chaim Topol?  

Chaim Topol, also known as Haym Topol, was an Israeli multi-talented artist who passed away on March 8, 2023, at the age of 87. He was an actor, singer, and illustrator, with his most famous role being Tevye in the musical Fiddler on the Roof and its film adaptation in 1971, a role he played more than 3,500 times between 1967 and 2009.

Topol began his acting career in the Nahal entertainment troupe during his Israeli army service, and he later toured Israel with various theater companies, including co-founding the Haifa Theatre. His breakthrough film role was in the 1964 movie Sallah Shabati, where he played the titular character and won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer - Male. He went on to appear in over 30 films in Israel and the United States, including Galileo, Flash Gordon, and For Your Eyes Only. He was considered Israel's only internationally recognized entertainer from the 1960s through the 1980s, and he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor and was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Tevye.

Topol was also known for his philanthropy, being a founder of Variety Israel and Jordan River Village, a camp for Arab and Jewish children with life-threatening illnesses, where he served as the chairman of the board. In recognition of his lifetime achievements, he was awarded the Israel Prize in 2015. 

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What happened to Chaim Topol?  

Chaim Topol, the acclaimed actor renowned for his portrayal of Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof", has passed away at the age of 87, as announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his statement, Netanyahu expressed his sympathies and honored Topol's exceptional talent and charm. Netanyahu mourned the loss of the "Fiddler on the Roof" star and acknowledged that the music of his fiddle had stopped playing. He commended Topol's affection for Israel and how the people reciprocated the sentiment. Although Topol's life story has come to a close, Netanyahu is confident that his contributions to Israeli culture will endure and inspire future generations. During his military service in Israel, Topol was drafted into the entertainment unit where he discovered his passion for acting. It was during this period that he met his future wife, Galia Topol.

Topol cause of death 

Chaim Topol's son, Omer, disclosed in June 2022 that his father had Alzheimer's disease. On March 8, 2023, his family announced to the media that the actor was close to death and asked for privacy. Topol passed away overnight at the age of 87. His funeral was held on March 10 at Kvutzat Shiller, preceded by a memorial at Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv. President Isaac Herzog praised Topol as one of Israel's most distinguished stage artists, while former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him a beloved folk hero who won the people's hearts with his warm voice, infectious smile, and sense of humor. Yair Lapid, another former Prime Minister, noted that Topol's rich legacy would forever be a part of Israeli culture.

Topol was a founder of Variety Israel, an organization that assists children with special needs, and served as the chairman of the board of Jordan River Village, a camp that provides support for Arab and Jewish children with life-threatening illnesses. The camp, which was established in 2012, was inspired by the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp founded by Paul Newman.

How old is Chaim Topol now?

Topol's son, Omer, revealed in June 2022 that his father was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. On March 8, 2023, Topol's family announced that he was near death and asked for privacy. He passed away overnight at the age of 87. Topol began working as a printer at the Davar newspaper at age 14 while studying at night school. He graduated high school at 17 and moved to Kibbutz Geva, and later joined the Israeli army's Nahal entertainment troupe. After being discharged, he settled in Kibbutz Mishmar David, where he formed a theatre company with friends from his Nahal troupe. Topol and his wife, Galia Finkelstein, had three children and lived in her childhood home in Tel Aviv. In his spare time, Topol enjoyed sketching and sculpting.

Chaim Topol Wife 

Chaim Topol was married to Galia Topol, whom he married in 1956, just two days before being called up for reserve duty in the Sinai Campaign. They had three children together: a son and two daughters. The family lived in Galia's childhood home in Tel Aviv, and Topol's hobbies included sketching and sculpting. Galia remained with her husband until his passing. Chaim Topol's acting career began in 1961 with his role in the film "I Like Mike". He gained fame for his performances in "War and Remembrance", "Follow Me!", and "SeaQuest DSV". In 2019, he appeared in his final movie, "Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles".

Throughout his career, Chaim Topol acted in numerous films and TV shows, including "Tales of the Unexpected", "Left Luggage", "Queenie", "The House on Garibaldi Street", "For Your Eyes Only", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Before Winter Comes", "Sallah Shabati", "The Winds of War", and many others

Chaim Topol Children 

Chaim Topol, also known as Haym Topol, was a renowned Israeli actor, singer, and illustrator. He is most famous for his portrayal of Tevye in the stage musical Fiddler on the Roof and its 1971 film adaptation, a role he performed over 3,500 times from the late 1960s through 2009. Topol and his wife Galia Finkelstein had a son and two daughters, and his family announced that a memorial would be held at the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv prior to his burial at Kvutzat Shiller on March 10. Topol was survived by his three children, Anat Topol, Ady Topol, and Omer Topol

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What happened to Chaim Topol - FAQs

1. Who was Chaim Topol?

Chaim Topol, also known as Topol, was an Israeli actor, singer, and illustrator.

2. What was Chaim Topol famous for?

Chaim Topol was famous for his role as Tevye in the stage musical Fiddler on the Roof and the 1971 film adaptation. He performed this role more than 3,500 times from the late 1960s through 2009.

3. What other films and TV shows did Chaim Topol act in?

Chaim Topol acted in many films and TV shows, including Tales of the Unexpected, Left Luggage, Queenie, The House on Garibaldi Street, For Your Eyes Only, Before Winter Comes, Sallah Shabati, The Winds of War, and more

4. When did Chaim Topol pass away?

Chaim Topol passed away on March 9, 2023, at the age of 87.