Veteran Israeli Actor Ilan Dar Dies at 89
Ilan Dar, a veteran Israeli actor known for his roles in theater, film, and television, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. Dar had a career spanning decades, appearing in numerous productions. He is particularly remembered for his role as Ilan, the husband of Tikki, in the iconic 1980s television series "Close Close." Born Ilan Blauvais in Tel Aviv to Polish immigrant parents, Dar studied drama and began his acting career with small film roles.
He joined the Ohel Theater in 1958 and performed there until 1962, participating in plays such as "A Far Cry to Heaven" and "The Good Soldier Švejk." In 1961, he also became a founding member of the Haifa Theater, where he performed for many years. After leaving the Cameri Theater in 1995, he continued to act in other theaters, including Beit Lessin, Habima, and Beer Sheva Theater, appearing in plays like "Kiddush" and "The Taming of the Shrew." He portrayed Shimon Peres in the production of "Oslo."
In 1979, Dar staged his one-man show "Like a Bullet in the Head" at Tzavta, which ran for about 400 performances over a decade and was also performed in English at the Edinburgh Festival. In addition to acting, he also directed and translated plays. His role in "Close Close" (1983-1986) alongside Tikki Dayan remains one of his most recognized performances, and he reprised the character in a reunion episode in 2005.
Dar's extensive television and film credits include "The Kastner Trial," where he played Judge Benjamin Halevy, and "Line 300," in which he portrayed Shin Bet head Avraham Shalom. He also appeared in "Life Is Not Everything," "Here We Live," "The Dreamers," "North Star," "The 80s," "Golden Girls," "The Successful Sisters," and "Tzomet Miller."
Throughout his career, Dar received several accolades, including the Hannah Rovina Award and the Tel Aviv Municipality Award in 1989 for his role in "Shira" at the Cameri Theater. In 2012, the Artists' Association of Israel honored him for his contribution to Israeli culture. He was named an Honored Citizen of Tel Aviv-Yafo in 2018 and received the Arik Einstein Award for the Arts in January 2023. Dar lived in Tel Aviv and is survived by his daughter; he was married to costume designer Ruth Dar.
