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9 Israeli Actors You Should Know About

Ori Pfeffer and Jason Isaacs on Dig
Ori Pfeffer and Jason Isaacs on Dig | © Courtesy of USA Network, photo: Ronen Akerman

From small guest roles in some of the most successful TV series to main roles in blockbuster movies, Israeli actors and actresses are all over American films and television, and with good reason. Keep reading to find out which Israeli actors you should know, and which ones you already do know!

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is an American-Israeli actress, film director, film producer and winner of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in the 2010 movie, Black Swan. Her first feature film as a director, A Tale of Love and Darkness (in which she also acts)was released in 2015, while her most recent work was portraying First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy in the 2016 movie, Jackie.

Natalie Portman in 2015

Odeya Rush

The 21-year-old actress is known for her lead roles in The Giver (2014) and Goosebumps (2015). Having participated in the 2017 movie Lady Bird, which has been nominated for several awards, including five Academy Awards, Rush is also set to appear in the 2018 films Spinning Man and Dumplin‘, so you are bound to see much more of her in the years to come.

Odeya as Fiona in The Giver

Ori Pfeffer

You may recognise him as Detective Golan Cohen in the American TV-series Dig or from the 2017 movie Hacksaw Ridge, but Ori Pfeffer is a very accomplished Israeli actor, having played supporting roles in blockbuster movies like Munich and World War Z, the hit comedy You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, and guest parts on TV shows including CSI, CSI: NY and more. He is also known for his lead role in the Israeli hit TV series Beauty and the Baker, which is aired by Amazon Prime Video.

Ori Pfeffer and Jason Isaacs on Dig

Inbar Lavi

Even if her name still doesn’t ring a bell, you will surely stumble upon her soon enough. Since arriving in Hollywood from Israel, Inbar has managed to take part in MTV series, Underemployed, 2014 Fox television series, Gang Related and portrayed Sheba on the Fox series, Prison Break. Her most recent and most significant role to date is playing the lead character in the 2017 Bravo television series, Imposters.

Inbar Lavi in Imposters

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot has been making Israelis very proud over the past few years with her beauty, talent and charm, not to mention her being an inspiration for young women worldwide. The Israeli actress is most famous for portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films, having previously starred in three The Fast and the Furious films. Having won several awards for her role as Wonder Woman, including a Critics’ Choice Award, Gadot seems to be sweeping Hollywood off its feet.

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman

Alon Aboutboul

One of the top Israeli actors in Israel and abroad, Alon Aboutboul is most known internationally for his roles in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Body of Lies (2008) and London Has Fallen (2016). In Israel, however, Alon is a very known actor who has taken part in dozens of Hebrew movies and has won many awards for his performances from the eighties, along with for his most recent works as well.

Alon Aboutboul

Aviv Alush

Israeli actor Aviv Alush has been active in Israeli TV, cinema and theatre over the past few years. Like other actors on this list, his major breakthrough in the Israeli celebrity scene was with his role as Amos in Beauty and the Baker, the hit Israeli romantic comedy aired by Amazon Prime Video. His recent international debut was in a film called The Shack in 2017.

Left to right: Jesus (Aviv Alush), Mack (Sam Worthington) Papa (Octavia Spencer) and Sarayu (Sumire Matsubara)

Alona Tal

Another beautiful Israeli actress, Alone Tal is most known for her roles in hit TV shows Veronica Mars and Supernatural, while her most recent roles include Stella on SEAL Team, Jocelyn in Hand of God andZoharin the Israeli series Hostages, among others. Having recently had her first baby, Alona will soon return to take over your TV screens.

Alona Tal

Mark Ivanir

This is the Ukranian-Israeli actor you always recognize but are never quite sure where from. Well, Ivanir had a recurring role on Homeland as Russian intelligence agent, Ivan Krupin, in addition to over 60 guest star and guest lead roles on television shows including The Mentalist, The Blacklist, 24, CSI: NY, Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Fringe and more. His biggest parts include the critically acclaimed A Late Quartet, which was voted as one of the New York Daily News’ 10 top films of the year and as Zvika Granot in Israeli Beauty and the Baker, alongside Aviv Alush and Ori Pfeffer.

Mark Ivanir as Ivan in Homeland

About the author

I am an architecture student and pilates instructor from Tel Aviv who is passionate about design, architecture, travel, and food. Having lived in London and Hong Kong, I share my passion for all things culture by means of travelling, exploring, writing and eating my way throughout the world.

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