Chaim Topol Net Worth at Death
Chaim Topol, the renowned actor best known for his iconic portrayal of Tevye in the musical and film adaptation of “Fiddler on the Roof,” was worth over $5 million, and he passed away at the age of 87. Topol was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry and had won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide with his exceptional talent and performances.
During his illustrious career, Topol had established himself as one of the most versatile actors of his time. He had worked in various movies and TV shows, including “Flash Gordon” and “For Your Eyes Only,” and had received numerous accolades for his work. In addition to acting, he was also a singer and producer, having produced several successful plays and musicals.
The news of Topol’s death was announced by Israel’s president, causing an outpouring of grief among his fans and colleagues worldwide. His passing marked the end of an era, and his contribution to the world of entertainment will always be remembered. Despite his death, his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, and his outstanding performances will be cherished forever.
Obituary
Chaim Topol, the 87-year-old Israeli actor and singer best known for his role as Tevye the Milkman in Fiddler on the Roof, has died.
Topol, who was widely known only by his surname, died at home in Israel on Wednesday, surrounded by his family, according to local media. His son recently confirmed that his father had dementia last year.
Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, described Topol as a “gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and abroad, filled the cinema screens with his presence, and especially entered deep into our hearts” in a statement announcing his death.
Topol played Tevye in the stage musical for more than five decades, and he once estimated that he had played the role more than 3,500 times. He also played the pious Jewish father in the 1971 film, for which he received a Golden Globe Award for best actor and was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor.
Topol was only 30 years old when he first took on the role of fiftysomething Tevye on stage in 1966, and he used makeup and costuming to make himself appear older and heavier than his years; in 2009, when he finished the role in his 70s, he had to act younger than his years.
“How many people are famous for just one part? How many people in my field are well-known around the world? So I’m not going to complain,” he said in a 2015 interview. “Sometimes I am surprised when I arrive in China, Tokyo, France, or wherever, and the clerk at the immigration desk says, ‘Topol, Topol, are you Topol?'” So, yes, a lot of people saw [Fiddler], which isn’t a bad thing.”
Topol, who was born in Tel Aviv in 1935, joined the Israeli army at the age of 18. There, he joined an entertainment troupe, singing and acting on the road; one of the roles he played in the troupe was Sallah Shabati in comedic skits written by future director and writer Ephraim Kishon, who would later direct Topol in a film adaptation in 1964.
Topol’s performance in the satire, which follows the titular character and his family as they navigate the chaos of Israeli immigration, earned him international acclaim. Sallah Shabati was the first Israeli film to be nominated for best foreign film at the Academy Awards, and Topol won a Golden Globe for most promising male newcomer.
Topol made his debut as Tevye two years later, temporarily replacing Shmuel Rodensky in the Israeli production when the actor became ill. Harold Prince, the original Broadway show’s producer, invited Topol to audition for the upcoming West End production. To become fluent in English, Topol memorized the Broadway cast album and spent six months in London with a vocal coach learning his part phonetically.
Topol returned to Israel a few months after his debut when he was summoned during the Arab-Israeli six-day war and joined an entertainment troupe. He returned to London and appeared in over 400 performances.
He was cast as Tevye again in the 1971 film after director Norman Jewison decided not to use Broadway actor Zero Mostel, who had made the role famous in the United States. Topol’s performance in the film earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best actor, and he was nominated for best actor at the Academy Awards, where he lost to Gene Hackman in The French Connection.
He continued to play Fiddler on the Roof in various productions in the United States, London, Israel, and Australia until 2009. In 1991, he was nominated for a Tony Award for the Broadway revival.
Topol was cast in the lead role in the Broadway musical The Baker’s Wife, but director David Merrick fired him after eight months for unprofessional behavior.
He played Galileo Galilei in Galileo, Dr. Hans Zarkov in Flash Gordon, and James Bond’s ally Milos Columbo in For Your Eyes Only. In the Hebrew-language version of The Jungle Book, he dubbed the voice of Bagheera, and in the first two Harry Potter films, he dubbed the voice of Rubeus Hagrid.
Topol later wrote and illustrated books and founded a non-profit organization for children with special needs. He received the Israel Prize, one of the country’s highest honors, in 2015.
