Chaim Topol: Fiddler on the Roof star dies aged 87

The histrion Chaim Topol, champion known for his portrayal of milkman Tevye successful Fiddler On The Roof, has died astatine the property of 87, Israel's president has said.

Topol was Oscar nominated for his show successful the 1971 movie adaptation of the musical.

His different celebrated movie relation included successful Flash Gordon, Follow Me, and the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.

Herzog described Topol, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's illness respective years ago, arsenic "a talented histrion who conquered galore stages successful Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his beingness and supra each entered heavy into our hearts".

The actor, vocalist and illustrator, helium added, had "represented america with large respect".

Israeli-British TV property Uri Geller led the tributes, sharing a representation of himself with the "sweet and modest" precocious actor, and erstwhile Israeli President Shimon Peres.

British histrion and comedian Omid Djalili besides paid his respects, posting: "Anyone who plays Tevye knows helium tin ne'er apical Topol. God remainder his soul."

Meanwhile, Frozen histrion Josh Gad offered: "There is nary mode to overstate however overmuch this antheral and this show meant to me.

"Topol is simply a ample crushed wherefore I became an actor. In fact, his show of Tevye successful Fiddler was the precise archetypal show I ever saw connected a Broadway stage. RIP to a great."

Topol was calved successful Tel Aviv successful 1935, and began his acting vocation successful an amusement troupe during his Israeli service service.

He roseate to prominence successful the Israeli drama Sallah Shabati, which depicted the hardships of a Mizrachi Jewish migrant household successful Israel of the aboriginal 1960s, won him an aboriginal Golden Globe grant for astir promising antheral newcomer.

Film roles followed successful some Israel and the US, including the 1975 adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's Galileo, the 1980 sci-fi escapade Flash Gordon, alongside Brian Blessed, and other Sir Roger Moore successful the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.

But it was for playing Tevye, a troubled milkman successful the colony of Anatevka who attempts to support his Jewish traditions by marrying disconnected his 5 daughters, that helium volition beryllium astir remembered.

He was connected progressive work with the Israeli service erstwhile helium was received his Academy Award information - becoming the archetypal Israeli histrion to bash truthful - successful 1972. But helium was granted permission truthful helium could be the ceremonial successful Los Angeles.

The role, which saw him execute songs specified arsenic If I Were a Rich Man, scored him a 2nd Golden Globe, this clip for champion actor.

Speaking to Desert Island Discs successful 1983, the histrion said helium inactive believed the producers "were precise brave to fto maine person that part".

"Considering that I was 30-years-old, considering that my English was truthful constricted - a vocabulary of 50 words - I inactive don't recognize however they fto maine person it."

The determination to formed Topol, alternatively of US histrion Zero Mostel, who had made the relation celebrated connected stage, was a arguable 1 astatine the clip but helium aboriginal thanked his predecessor.

"Anyone who ever plays Tevye should beryllium thankful to Zero Mostel," Topol was erstwhile quoted arsenic saying. "He gave america each country and I cognize I wouldn't person done the movie without the vantage of a year's rehearsal connected stage."

Reprising the relation successful the 1991 Broadway revival of Fiddler On the Roof, helium was besides nominated for a Tony Award for champion actor.

Topol would play the portion much than 3,500 times connected some signifier and surface from the precocious 1960s until 2009.

Away from acting, the charitable prima founded Variety Israel, an organisation that provides enactment for children surviving with disabilities and their families.

He besides served arsenic the president of Jordan River Village, a escaped overnight campy for sick Israeli children.

In 2005, Topl was voted the 90th-greatest Israeli of each time, successful a canvass by the Israeli quality website Ynet. And 10 years later, helium was awarded the Israel Prize - the country's astir prestigious grant - for beingness accomplishment and peculiar publication to nine and the state.

He is survived by his woman Galia and their 3 children.

His lad Omer Topol, this week called his begetter an "amazing histrion who developed each kinds of tactics to screen up the problems that began to arise".

"When helium won the Israel Prize, his Alzheimer's was successful its aboriginal stages," helium confirmed.

"He spoke wonderfully astatine the ceremony, and besides astatine different events, and nary 1 adjacent felt it."