After turning 60, Israeli entertainer Zvika Hadar reflected on a career that began with odd jobs before his TV breakthrough on "Kha'komi Stor". He recalled that his first paid acting job was a print ad for the gas-relief medicine Enciplamed, for which he earned $1,000 for about an hour of work, and that he also once performed at birthday parties under the name "Zvika Makes People Happy." He also revisited his early, little-remembered appearance on the experimental satirical show "Nice Guy," where he played a Netanyahu parody called "Zibi Netanyahu." Hadar said he was not trying to be provocative, but enjoyed the chance to perform, while co-creator Guy Maroz argued that Hadar tends to downplay how significant that appearance was.
The interview centered on Hadar’s current role in the film "Kupa Reshita," based on the hit Kan 11 series. He plays a guest character, Shuki Haluba, the new owner of the Shufra Yissakhar supermarket chain, and said the film made him feel "great satisfaction." The movie drew praise from critics and more than 250,000 viewers in its first four days, including its opening on Israeli Cinema Day last Wednesday. Hadar said the success reflects the show’s broad, local appeal and joked that he is still doing "nonsense" for a living, with affection.
Hadar also spoke about his deep attachment to Beersheba, his desire to be a bus driver, and his frustration over not having an autobus license despite holding licenses for trucks and motorcycles. Looking back at "Afula Express," for which he was paid only about 10,000 shekels and was nominated for an Ophir Award but lost to Asi Dayan, he said he now understands the gap between mainstream entertainment and the film academy. Actress Esti Zakheim, his co-star in that film and later in "Late Marriage," praised him as a generous and complex artist with a huge heart.
He said his most satisfying work may be the mockumentary "Zviki Has a Problem," which he created with Uri Gross, though he feels it was underappreciated by Reshet. He also acknowledged that his attempt to move to Reshet, including newer programs there, was largely unsuccessful. Still, he said he remains active across theater, stand-up, sports broadcasting, and a new drama-comedy in development about funerals. Hadar stressed that he avoids partisan politics, but is outspoken about public services, aid to the south and periphery, hostility toward LGBT people, the need for a state inquiry after October 7, and the hostages, whom he said should never have become a political dispute. He also ruled out working for Channel 14 or any similar outlet if it became a propaganda arm.
