James Bond and Flash Gordon star Chaim Topol has died at the age of 87.
His death was confirmed on Wednesday (March 8) by Israel’s president Isaac Herzog.
He described him as a “gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and especially entered deep into our hearts.”
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The Hollywood actor, who was best known for starring as Tevye the milkman in musical Fiddler on the Roof, passed away following a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Chaim played the iconic movie role more than 3,500 times from the late 1960s through to 2009.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
The israeli actor then performed in the film adaption, which was a smash hit and earned him an Oscar’s nomination for Best Actor in 1971.
The legendary actor also starred in the James Bond classic For Your Eyes Only (1981) and portrayed Dr. Hans Zarkov in Flash Gordon (1980).
For his part as Tevye and for his leading role in the film Sallah Shabati (1964), Chaim won the Tony Award and two Golden Globe awards for best actor.
(Image: FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)
He had also been nominated for the best actor award at the Academy Awards in 1971.
More recently, in 2015, he was celebrated for his contributions to film and culture with the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement, his country’s most prestigious honour.
Heartfelt tributes penned by fans, high-profile individuals and friends celebrating the incredible actor, have since been shared on social media following the news.
(Image: Ariel Schalit/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Israel’s former minister of defence, Benny Gantz, praised the actor for helping Israelis connect to their roots: “We laughed and cried at the same time over the deepest wounds of Israeli society.”
“RIP Topol. There could only ever be one Fiddler on the Roof,” penned actor Cary Elwes.
“He will always be a legend. Thank You Chaim,” wrote a fan.
Chaim is survived by his wife, three children and multiple grandchildren.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
