R.I.P. Topol (Tevye in Fiddler On the Roof) (1 Viewer)

[Jake Lipson]

Topol, who is best known for playing Tevye in the film version of Fiddler On the Roof, has died at age 87.

Chaim Topol Dies: ‘Tevye’ In Stage And Film Versions Of ‘Fiddler On The Roof’ Was 87

Chaim Topol, the actor whose best-known role was as Tevye on "Fiddler on the Roof," is dead at 87.

deadline.com

Chaim Topol, Tevye in Film and Stage Versions of ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ Dies at 87

Chaim Topol, who became professionally known solely by his last name in a career that included starring in “Fiddler on the Roof” on stage and screen and co-starring in the James Bond mo…

variety.com

His work as Tevye will live on long past anyone reading this post. May he Rest In Peace.

 

[Joe Wong]

Aside from his signature role as Tevye, I'll remember his sly turn in For Your Eyes Only, and the subject of mistaken identity humour in Notting Hill.

RIP, Topol.

 

[Jake Lipson]

I wonder if he will be able to be acknowledged in the In Memoriam segment at the Oscars on Sunday. He certainly should qualify to be included there, but I imagine the clip package has already been edited at this point. It seems like there is always someone who passes away within a few days of the ceremony.

 

[Bernard McNair]

I have seen the film of Fiddler many, many times and am always deeply moved by it.
The performance of Topol is towering in my view.
We had the pleasure of seeing Topol live in Fiddler in an excellent Australian production in the late 1990’s. Goodness knows how many performances he had given by then but from his first movement on stage (which opened the production) to the curtain falling at the conclusion of the performance he performed as if it were opening night.
I admire several of his performances particularly Before Winter Comes but his Tevye is a performance for the ages.
RIP, Sir.

 

[Robert Crawford]

TBHI, I thought he already passed. A fine actor may he R.I.P.

 

[Tino]

RIP Dr Zarkhov

Flash!! Ah ahhhh.

 

[RICK BOND]

Topol with Roger Moore in For Your Eyes Only. R.I.P.

 

[Matt Hough]

I enjoyed him in everything I ever saw him in. A fine actor. The soundtrack of Fiddler on the Roof is my go-to CD when I want to hear songs from the show. Only a few other soundtracks in my mind have replaced their Broadway counterparts to become the definitive listen for a score. Fiddler is one of them.

 

[Sam Favate]

He was a great presence in everything he was in. Of course, he will be remembered for Fiddler, Flash Gordon (he seemed to have a lot of fun with that role), and For Your Eyes Only. I'd also suggest The Winds of War and War & Remembrance. He was terrific as the Auschwitz prisoner who escapes to join the Czech underground in Prague. He's been called the moral center of the series. It's an essential performance.

 

[David_B_K]

I always enjoyed him as well. He was one of those guys like Anthony Quinn who could play many diverse ethnicities. I hoped one day he'd play Joseph Stalin, as he was a dead ringer for him.

 

[Garysb]

"Fiddler" is being broadcast this Sunday or late Saturday at 12:45 AM EST/ 9:45 PM PST on TCM.

As the host intros are done in advance I expect there will just be a card acknowledging the passing. Set your DVRs.

 

[bujaki]

I enjoyed his performance in the little-seen Private Eye, directed by Carol Reed, and starring Mia Farrow.
RIP.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Another good obituary from Playbill.

Chaim Topol Passes Away at 87

Mr. Topol is most associated with his decades-long relationship with Fiddler on the Roof .

playbill.com

 

[Chuck Mayer]

I was born in 1974, and knew Topol primarily from his high energy performance in Flash Gordon and his burned-into-my-memory role as Columbo in For Your Eyes Only, my first James Bond film (seen many times as an impressionable youth thanks to HBO). Whenever I have chanced upon either film in the past two decades, I wondered why I hadn't seen a lot more of this irrepressibly charismatic man, larger than life, and clearly filled with generosity of spirit. When I finally looked up why (literally just a few weeks back), it was because he had bigger things to do than just keep appearing in movies.

RIP

 

[Sultanofcinema]

Topol was actually at a Fourth Of July party at Cubby Broccoli's home. Dana Broccoli was sitting next to Topol and just stated to Cubby, " why don't we cast him as Columbo" and the deal was sealed right there! Interesting that Follow Me with Mia Farrow and Topol had the title of Private Eye in other countries. Very good score by John Barry for that film also. I acutally saw the film at its very limited time of release.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Topol was actually at a Fourth Of July party at Cubby Broccoli's home. Dana Broccoli was sitting next to Topol and just stated to Cubby, " why don't we cast him as Columbo" and the deal was sealed right there! Interesting that Follow Me with Mia Farrow and Topol had the title of Private Eye in other countries. Very good score by John Barry for that film also. I acutally saw the film at its very limited time of release.

Isn't it "The Public Eye"?

 

[Sultanofcinema]

Pete,
that's the British title (The Public Eye, not the Private Eyes with Don Knotts) I remember, but after reading the above comment, thought maybe like Italian Giallos had many different titles. The Public Eye was also the name of the play the film was based on.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

RIP

 

[Joe Wong]

Here's the scene from Notting Hill where Topol is referenced... the relevant conversation begins at about 0:35.