Ze'ev Revach

Biography

Early life

Revach was born in 1940 in Rabat while it was part of the French protectorate in Morocco to Hana and Rabbi Yitzhak Rioch. He was the eldest of eight siblings. His parents named him after Ze'ev Jabotinsky and Nahum Sokolow. In 1948, at the age of eight, he immigrated with his family to Israel. The family initially settled in an Israeli refugee absorption camp in Haifa. Between the ages of nine and thirteen he lived with his family in the Musrara neighborhood of Jerusalem, where his father later established a synagogue. The family eventually moved to the Kiryat HaYovel neighborhood of Jerusalem. His Moroccan heritage and the working-class environment he grew up in would later inspire many of the characters and scenarios depicted in his films.

At thirteen Revach began studying at the agricultural high school yeshiva in Kfar Hasidim. He later served as a combat soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces as part of the Nahal Brigade.

After his military service Revach studied at the Beit Zvi School for the Performing Arts.

Career

From 1963 to 1966 Revach was part of the Ohel Theater. During this time Revach performed in various plays including "The Idiot", "The Three Angels", and "Without the Evil Eye".

From 1966 to 1973 Revach was part of the Cameri Theatre. During this time Revach performed in various notable roles, including as Leonardo in "Blood Wedding", as Ubu in "Ubu the King", as Prince Hal in "Henry IV", as Lancelot in "The Dragon", as Figaro in "The Marriage of Figaro", and as Inspector Azoulay in "The Inspector".

In 1988 Revach played in the popular musical "Salleh Shabati" at the Habima Theatre which was directed by Ephraim Kishon and had music composed by Nurit Hirsh. The production, which featured also Geula Nuni and Hanny Nahmias, included the hit song "Ah Ya Rab" and it was performed 172 times across Israel.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Revach continued to act in various notable productions with different theaters, include the plays "The Baker's Wife", "Peter Pan" in which he played Captain Hook, in "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", in "Valentino" and in the play "Rubber Merchants".

During the 2000s Revach began also directing theater plays including the 2004 play "I Raised and Elevated Children" in which he directed and performed, and the 2014 play "Momo Renovations" which he both directed and starred in.

In 2013 Revach reprised his role as 'Haham' Hannukah in the theatrical adaptation of the popular 1975 Israeli film "Snooker".

In 2019 Revach acted in a leading role in the play "Restless Old Men".

Throughout his prolific career, spanning more than five decades, Ze'ev Revach appeared in over 40 films, directed 15, wrote or co-wrote the scripts for 16, and solidified himself as one of the most prominent figures in Israeli cinema. Renowned for his versatility as an actor, director, and writer, Revach contributed to various cinematic genres, though he is particularly revered for his significant contributions to the Bourekas genre—a distinctly Israeli style of comedy-drama films that employs exaggerated ethnic stereotypes to explore social issues. Revach became synonymous with the genre, portraying many colorful and larger-than-life characters, many of whom depicted Mizrahi Jews navigating life on the fringes of society. His roles often embodied underdogs, misfits, or con men, as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities, who found themselves entangled in humorous yet chaotic situations. Revach’s characters frequently used disguises and switched identities during the films, including transformations between Ashkenazi and Mizrahi identities, male and female personas, or playing characters from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds. Ravach's films often reflected and satirized the social dynamics of the Israeli society, and using humor to tackle serious themes such as cultural assimilation, poverty, and the struggles of marginalized communities. His ability to balance slapstick comedy with poignant social commentary made him a beloved figure in Israeli popular culture.

Political activity

Revach, a vocal supporter of the Likud party, appeared in its 1992 election ads and later ran for a seat on the Ramat Gan City Council in 2003.

Personal life

Revach was initially married to the actress Shula Revach, with whom he had two daughters. After their divorce he married Mali Angelou, with whom he had three children. He used to live with his family in Ramat Gan.

In June 2019, Revah, who was a heavy smoker, suffered a stroke, from which he never fully recovered. In his later years, he battled dementia. On January 18, 2025, at the age of 84, Revah died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Ramat Gan. He was laid to rest at the Kiryat Shaul cemetery.

Accolades

In 2002, Revach won the Israeli Film Academy's Best Actor Award for his performance as Shabtai Kassodas in the film "Beitar Provence".

In 2010, Revach was awarded the Israeli Film Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his significant contribution to Israeli cinema.

In 2014, Revach won the Israeli Film Academy's Best Actor Award for his performance as Yehezkel in the film "The Farewell Party".

In April 2018, Revach was chosen to light a torch at the official torch-lighting ceremony for the 70th anniversary celebrations of the State of Israel, alongside renowned Israeli stage actress Lea Koenig.

Filmography

Acting roles

In Film

On Television