Daughter of Late Israeli Director Roni Pinkovich Criticizes Cultural World for Overlooking His Death

Six years after Israeli theater director and actor Roni Pinkovich chose euthanasia in Switzerland following a three-decade battle with multiple sclerosis, his daughter, actress Ian Pinkovich, is creating a fictional crime drama series inspired by her family's story. In an interview with mako, Ian revealed her frustration that the Israeli cultural scene failed to properly honor her father’s legacy, noting that no memorial events or projects have been dedicated to him since his death in 2020.

Roni Pinkovich, who was wheelchair-bound in his final years, passed away at age 56. Ian described how her father struggled with public perception of his illness and how the industry distanced itself as his condition worsened. She said, "The cultural world chose to sweep his death under the rug," possibly because it was a death by choice and a private matter. Ian also shared that the COVID-19 pandemic limited mourning opportunities, contributing to a lack of public recognition.

The upcoming series, still in early development, aims to explore the complex themes of life, death, and family coping with euthanasia. Ian explained that writing the show has been a personal journey uncovering emotions of anger and disappointment alongside compassion. She also revealed reading her father’s diaries, which he partially burned to protect his privacy.

Ian criticized some industry figures for indifference after her father’s illness progressed, recounting instances where she was told he was no longer relevant. Despite this, she hopes to hold a memorial event this year to celebrate his contributions to Israeli theater. Ian emphasized that the series is meant to honor her father’s memory and open dialogue about the taboo subject of death by choice.

Ian, a graduate of Beit Zvi School of Acting, has appeared in several Israeli TV series and theater productions. She said the post she wrote about her father was not to promote the series but part of her creative process. When asked about casting her father’s role, she said she can only picture him himself, underscoring the deep personal connection to the project.