Showbiz
Israeli actor Alon Aboutboul dies after collapsing on beach
The film star, famous for his roles in blockbusters such as The Dark knight Rises, has died aged 60 after collapsing on a beach in northern Israel
July 29, 2025 16:04
The film star, famous for his roles in blockbusters such as The Dark knight Rises, has died aged 60 after collapsing on a beach in northern Israel
July 29, 2025 16:04Israeli actor Alon Aboutboul, famous for films such as Body of Lies and The Dark Knight Rises, has died aged 60.
Aboutboul, who was born in Kiryat Ata, Israel in 1965 and later moved to Tel Aviv, died after collapsing on a beach in northern Israel. The exact cause of death is yet to be revealed.
Aboutboul's childhood, he once told Israeli newspaper Haaretz, was traumatic. In a 2007 interview, he spoke about growing up in a violent household and ultimately moving to Tel Aviv with his mother after getting in to the prestigious Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts.
He became an actor in his teens and had roles in Morning Star, Bar 51 and The Committee Battle. His breakout came in 1986 with war drama Two Fingers from Sidon which was based on the first Lebanon war. His role saw him win Best Actor at the Jerusalem Film Festival.
He went on to star in big Israeli films such as The Blue Star, Layla's Song, Beaufort, Seven Days and Noodle as well as popular TV series such as Harem, Virgin and Sabbaths and Holidays — that one earning him a Golden Screen Award.
As well as an actor on the screen, he had numerous stage performances, including Hamlet, King Lear and Andorra.
Aboutboul went global and appeared in many major films, the first two of which were Rambo 3 and Every Time We Say Goodbye. Later on, he starred in more blockbusters including Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, Ridley Scott's Body of Lies and Steven Spielberg's Munich.
He also won an Ophir Award for Nina's Tragedies and received an Olivier Award nomination for his lead role in the 2022 West End production of The Band's Visit.
Aboutboul was not only an actor, in 2023, he took his attention to music and released his debut album Family Business which he created with his daughter Elia.
Haaretz's Film critic Uri Klein once described Aboutboul's screen presence as "precise yet detached", allowing him to immerse himself in the role and portray an entire spectrum of emotions. According to Klein, it "[allowed] him to portray a different kind of Israeli masculinity."
Klein wrote: "His contribution to the representation of patriarchy in Israeli cinema is unique and significant."
On top of acting, Aboutboul became, somewhat hesitantly, involved in politics and in 2006, he ran for Knesset with the Ha'Avoda Party.
At the time, he told Haaretz: "I didn't want to go into politics but I was drawn into it. The damned war. Every Israeli feels they must do something."
Aboutboul is survived by his partner, Shir Bilia, and their four children.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.