Acclaimed Israeli Actor and Director Yossi Pollak Dies at 81

Yossi Pollak, a celebrated Israeli actor and director, passed away on Friday at the age of 81. Pollak is survived by his wife, Tami, and their five children, including director Shi Carmeli-Pollak and choreographer/actor Avshalom Pollak.

Born in Rehovot in 1945 to parents who had recently immigrated from Transylvania, Pollak experienced a nomadic childhood after his parents' early divorce, living in various settings including kibbutzim and the Hadassim Youth Village. He honed his acting skills at the Beit Zvi School of the Performing Arts.

Throughout his extensive career, Pollak made significant contributions to theater, film, and television as both an actor and director. On stage, he performed in numerous plays such as "Othello," "The Gypsies of Jaffa," "An American Princess," "The Crooked," and "Aunt Liza." He also directed productions like "Orphans" and "Othello."

Pollak's presence was also notable on screen. He appeared in films including "The House on Shlosh Street" and "The Silver Platter," and in the television series "Nibolot," based on Yoram Kaniuk's novel.

Beyond his artistic work, Pollak was known for openly expressing his public and political views, including his opinions on the Israel Defense Forces and government policies.