Ili Gorlitzki, Iconic Israeli Actor and Singer, Dies at 91
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ili Gorlitzki, a major figure in Israeli theater and culture, died at 91.
- He had a career of over 70 years in acting, singing, and television.
- Gorlitzki starred in the iconic musical "King Solomon and the Cobbler Shlomi."
- He was a co-founder and director of organizations supporting performing artists.
- Gorlitzki received three David's Violin awards for his artistic achievements.
Ili Gorlitzki, a prominent actor, singer, and theater personality deeply identified with Israeli culture, has passed away at the age of 91. Born in Tel Aviv in 1935, Gorlitzki had a career spanning over seven decades on stage, in film, television, and Hebrew song, contributing to seminal moments in Israel's popular culture.
Gorlitzki began his theater career as a teenager, joining the dramatic school at the Ohel Theater at 17. During his military service, he was part of the Central Command Band, performing alongside future entertainment stars. His breakout role came in 1964 when he starred as Solomon in the musical "King Solomon and the Cobbler Shlomi," alongside Yona Atari. The musical, with lyrics by Natan Alterman and music by Sasha Argov, was a massive success, running for approximately 1,000 performances and cementing Gorlitzki and Atari as an unforgettable duo.
His extensive career included numerous plays, musicals, and films such as "Three Days and a Child," "The Scouts," and "Tevye and His Seven Daughters." He also performed in successful entertainment shows like "Shuk Hametsi'ot" (The Flea Market) and "Hakhamim Leilo" (Wise Men at Night) with Yossi Banai. Gorlitzki received three David's Violin awards for his work.
Beyond his performing career, Gorlitzki was a dedicated advocate for the rights of performing artists. He served as the first director of AMI, the Union of Performing Artists of Israel, and co-founded "Ashkolot," an organization managing royalty distribution for performing artists.
In a 2015 interview celebrating his 80th birthday, Gorlitzki reflected on his outlook, stating "I miss tomorrow," emphasizing the need to look forward. He belonged to a generation that largely built the Israeli stage, bridging theater, music, entertainment, and Hebrew song into the fabric of everyday Israeli culture. Gorlitzki is remembered as an integral part of Israel's cultural memory, representing a generation of artists who shaped the nation's artistic landscape.
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