Beloved Israeli Actor and Singer Ili Gorlitzky Dies at 91

Ili Gorlitzky, a prominent figure in Israeli entertainment and a cornerstone of the nation's theater and music scene, passed away on Monday at the age of 91. Born in Tel Aviv in 1935, Gorlitzky began his stage career as a soloist with the Central Command Band. After his military service, he joined the Cameri Theater.

His breakthrough came in 1964 when he starred alongside Yona Atari in the iconic musical "King Solomon and the Shoemaker Shlomi." The Gorlitzky-Atari duo became a cultural phenomenon, with the musical achieving over a thousand performances both in Israel and abroad. Throughout his career, Gorlitzky starred in numerous acclaimed shows and plays, including "The Bargain Basement," "This is Entertainment," and "Wise Men at Night" with Yossi Banai.

Gorlitzky also made his mark on Israeli cinema, appearing in films such as "Three Days and a Child" and "The Patrol." His artistic contributions were recognized with three "David's Violin" awards.

Beyond his stage and screen work, Gorlitzky was a founder of the Israel Actors Association (AMY) and served as its chairman. He was instrumental in establishing the "Ashkolot" company, which continues to protect the rights and royalties of performing artists in Israel. In 2019, he was honored as a "Distinguished Citizen of Tel Aviv-Yafo" for his lifelong contributions to Israeli culture and the city where he was born and worked. Gorlitzky leaves behind a rich artistic and public legacy that will continue to influence the cultural landscape for years to come.