Chaim Topol, Fiddler on the Roof star, dies aged 87

Chaim Topol, the actor best known for playing Tevye in the film and stage versions of Fiddler on the Roof, has died after a battle with Alzheimer's disease in Tel Aviv. He was 87.

Israel's president Isaac Herzog confirmed Topol's death, describing 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."

Topol was also known for his work starring in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, and the sci-fi film Flash Gordon.

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It was in 1967 when Topol first began playing the milkman in Fiddler on the Roof, appearing on-stage in the West End production for 2030 performances.

He was only 30 when he played the middle-aged father of three teenager daughters. He went on to play the role on stage more than 3500 times.

In 1971, he starred in Norman Jewison's film version of the show, which was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Topol was also nominated for Best Actor, and the film won for cinematography, sound and music.

In 1991, a Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof was nominated for a Tony Award for best revival of a musical, and Topol was nominated for best actor in a musical.

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He'd also earlier reprised the role of Tevye in a 1983 London revival of Fiddler on the Roof, and toured in a United States production of the show in the late 1980s.

Once again, he revived the role in London in 1994, and toured with the same production. He also played Tevye in various productions of the show in Australia, Japan and Europe.

Aside from his decades-long stint in various stage and film productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Topol also starred in the ABC miniseries The Winds of Ear (1983) as well as War and Remembrance (1988 to 1989).

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He also starred in the Israeli film Roman Behemshechim (1985) and miniseries Queenie (1987).

His last credited feature was Left Luggage (1998), directed by Jeroen Krabbé.

In 2016, Topol was awarded the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement, which is Israel's highest honour.