Israeli Actor Guy Kapulnik Killed in California Plane Crash

Israeli actor Guy Kapulnik, 46, died in a light aircraft crash in California on Tuesday, his family announced. Another woman, identified as Taylor Lasca, 33, of Santa Monica, also perished in the accident.

Kapulnik, a graduate of the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Jerusalem and a Technion alumnus with a degree in information systems, served as an officer in the elite 669 Search and Rescue Unit before pursuing acting. His Israeli film credits include "Room 514," "Salsa Tel Aviv," "Guard Me," and "Lebanon." He also worked in theater and other productions in Israel.

He later moved to the United States, continuing his acting career in film, television, and theater, and had been living in Los Angeles in recent years. Alongside his acting passion, Kapulnik developed a deep love for aviation, becoming a certified flight instructor in California and teaching many students.

Following his death, students and friends shared tributes, remembering him as a beloved figure and an inspiring instructor who taught them not only to fly but also to cherish aviation. His family described him as "a man of action, curiosity, and adventure," who moved between the stage and camera, the sea and the sky, and repeatedly dared to choose new paths.

The crash occurred on September 24 near the library in San Bernardino County, California. Emergency services were dispatched around 9:53 AM, and the deaths of both individuals were confirmed at the scene.