Chaim Topol, the Academy Award-nominated actor who notably portrayed “Tevye” within the 1971 movie “Fiddler on the Roof,” died at 87 years previous.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog introduced Topol’s loss of life on Wednesday.

“One of the vital excellent Israeli stage artists,” Herzog said.

“A gifted actor who conquered many phases in Israel and abroad, crammed the cinema screens along with his presence and above all entered deep into our hearts.”

“Topol was one of many giants of Israeli tradition and he will likely be drastically missed. Condolences to his pricey household and all his family members,” he added.

Alzheimer’s was given because the trigger, in accordance with stories.

His son Omer advised Israeli information outlet Ynet earlier within the week that the actor was identified with the illness a number of years in the past.

He first took on the position of Tevye the Dairyman in “Fiddler on the Roof” on stage in Israel and London within the late Sixties.

The musical focuses on a person who makes an attempt to keep up his Jewish traditions whereas three daughters look to be married.

For the 1971 film, Topol was chosen to play Tevye over Zero Mostel, who had starred within the Broadway manufacturing.

Regardless of being in his mid-30s and enjoying a person about 20 years older, Topol was critically acclaimed.

He received a Golden Globe award for Finest Actor in a Movement Image — Musical or Comedy in 1972, beating out 4 different candidates together with Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka.

His renditions of “If I Had been A Wealthy Man” and “Custom” are two of probably the most memorable songs in film historical past.

He was additionally nominated for an Oscar, one in all eight nominations the movie obtained, although he misplaced to Gene Hackman for “The French Connection.”

In 1991, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his efficiency in a Broadway revival of the present.

Within the position he can be finest remembered for, Topol performed Tevye on and off by means of 2009.

“Fiddler on the Roof” was not his solely spotlight.

He received the Golden Globe for Finest Newcomer — Male in 1965 for his work in “Sallah Shabati,” an Israeli comedy.

For his work within the 1972 comedy-drama “Observe Me!” Topol was named Finest Actor by the San Sebastian Worldwide Movie Competition.

Topol performed Dr. Hans Zarkov within the 1980 cult cla**ic superhero movie “Flash Gordon.”

He additionally acted within the 1981 James Bond film “For Your Eyes Solely,” as a smuggler who helps 007, performed by Roger Moore.

Extra than simply an actor, Topol’s sketches of Israeli presidents have been produced as a part of a stamp sequence. He illustrated greater than 20 books in Hebrew and English.

In 2015, he obtained the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement.

Topol married Galia Finkelstein and so they had three kids, Anat, Ady and Omer.