Ze’ev Revach, famed Israeli actor and comedian, dies at 84

Revach starred in classic ‘bourekas’ films and won top awards over his decades-long career on stage and screen

Israeli actor Ze'ev Revach attends a ceremony at the Knesset honoring the torchlighters for the 70th Independence Day ceremony, April 15, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Israeli actor Ze'ev Revach attends a ceremony at the Knesset honoring the torchlighters for the 70th Independence Day ceremony, April 15, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Ze’ev Revach, one of Israel’s most famous actors and comedians, died on Saturday at the age of 84.

He was widely considered one of the most influential and beloved figures in Israeli film and television. Revach’s filmography includes blockbuster 1970s comedies “Charlie VaHezi” and “Hagiga BaSnuker” and dramas such as 2002’s “Beitar Provence.”

He also made a name for himself on the stage, appearing in comedies and dramas in Israeli theater for decades. In addition to acting, Revach also tried his hand at writing, film and theater directing, and painting.

Revach won several Ophir Awards during his decades-long career, including two for Best Leading Actor, and was honored in 2018 by being named one of the torchlighters at Israel’s 70th Independence Day celebrations.

Revach was born in Rabat, Morocco in 1940, and made Aliya to Israel with his family in 1948.

He served in the Israel Defense Forces, and later attended the Beit Zvi School for the Performing Arts in Ramat Gan.

From the set of “Hagiga BaSnuker” with Yehuda Barkan (left) and Ze’ev Revach (right). (Courtesy official Facebook page of Ze’ev Revach)

Revach achieved fame in the Israeli film movement known as Bourekas films, slapstick movies featuring social commentary on Israeli culture, especially that of new immigrants from the wider Middle East.

In 2019, Revach suffered a stoke, from which he reportedly never fully recovered.

He is survived by his wife, Mali, and five children.

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