Acclaimed Israeli Actor Ilan Dar Dies at 89

Ilan Dar, a prominent Israeli actor known for his roles in film, television, and theater, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. Dar, who was also a translator and theater director, was particularly remembered for his role as Ilan in the popular 1980s Israeli sitcom "Close Relatives" (Krovim Krovim), where he played the husband of Tzipi, portrayed by Tzipi Shavit.

Born Ilan Blauvais in Tel Aviv in 1937, Dar began his acting career in minor film roles. He joined the Ohel Theater in 1958, moving to the Haifa Theater in 1962 as part of its founding cast. In 1977, he joined the Cameri Theater, where he also translated the play "Man with Connections." He later staged a successful one-man show, "Like a Bullet in the Head," which ran for approximately 400 performances in Israel and was performed in English at the Edinburgh Festival.

Dar's extensive theater career also included stints at Beit Lessin Theater, Habima, and Beer Sheva Theater. He directed plays such as "Look Back in Anger" and "Ha Ha," the latter of which he also translated. His filmography includes titles like "Two Heartbeats," "The Brave Detective Schwartz," and "Good Death," which won four Ophir Awards. On television, he portrayed Judge Benjamin Halevy in "The Kastner Trial" and Shin Bet head Avraham Shalom in "Line 300."

Dar's most significant television exposure came from "Close Relatives" between 1983 and 1986. He continued acting into his later years, appearing in films such as "Paris on the Water" in 2014 and several films in 2019. Dar resided in Tel Aviv, was married to costume designer Ruth Dar, and is survived by their daughter.