Born Haym Topol in Tel Aviv, Palestine (now Israel). Zestful, vigorous lead and supporting player, best known for his Tevye in the screen version of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1971) -- a role he had previously played on the Tel Aviv and London stages, and which he continues to perform around the world to this day. He was on active duty with the Israeli army when he was nominated for an Oscar® for FIDDLER in early 1972. As the first Israeli ever nominated for an Academy Award, he was granted leave so he could attend the ceremony in Los Angeles that year. Topol has worked primarily in the theater, making infrequent appearances in such films as BEFORE WINTER COMES (1969), THE PUBLIC EYE (1972) and GALILEO (1975), and on TV in the "Winds of War" (1982) and "War and Remembrance" (1988) mini-series. Other notable screen appearances include EL DORADO (1963), CAST A GIANT SHADOW (1966), FOLLOW ME (1972), FLASH GORDON (1980, as Dr. Hans Zarkov), FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981), ROMAN BEHEMSHECHIM / AGAIN, FOREVER (1985), and TIME ELEVATOR and LEFT LUGGAGE (both 1998).  Nominated for Actor 1971: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF 1 nomination