Beloved Israeli Actor Ilan Dar Dies at 89

Ilan Dar, a prominent Israeli actor and director who dedicated nearly 70 years to the country's stage, television, and film, passed away on Monday, September 7, at the age of 89. Dar achieved widespread recognition for his role as Ilan, the husband of Ticki, in the iconic Israeli television series "Krovim Krovim" ("Close Relatives").

Born Ilan Blavais in Tel Aviv in 1937 to Polish immigrant parents, Dar initially pursued electrical engineering at the Technion before abandoning it after one year to follow his passion for theater. He began his acting career in 1958 at the Ohel Theater and was a founding member of the Haifa Theatre in 1962, where he performed for many years. He later joined the Cameri Theater and, after 1995, performed in numerous other productions at theaters including Beit Lessin, Habima, and Beer Sheva Theater.

Dar's extensive stage work included roles in "Uncle Vanya," "Three Sisters," and "Eichmann in Jerusalem," among many others. He also directed and translated plays. His one-man show "Like a Bullet to the Head," which he directed and performed, ran for nearly a decade, completing approximately 400 performances, including an English-language run at the Edinburgh Festival.

While Dar had a decades-long film career, he expressed particular pride in his role as Daniel in the 2014 film "Mita Tova" ("The Farewell Party"), a movie about elderly residents in a nursing home and euthanasia. For this performance, he was nominated for an Ophir Award for best supporting actor. The cult sitcom "Krovim Krovim," filmed from 1983 to 1986, was shot before a live audience, with 35 episodes produced over three years.

Ilan Dar was married to the renowned theater designer and costume artist Ruth Dar, and they had one daughter.