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Theodore Bikel is a Actor Autrichien born on 2 may 1924 at Vienna (Austria)

Theodore Bikel

Theodore Bikel
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Birth name Theodore Meir Bikel
Nationality Austria
Birth 2 may 1924 at Vienna (Austria)
Death 21 july 2015 (at 91 years)

Theodore Meir Bikel (pronounced bih-KEL; May 2, 1924 – July 21, 2015) was an Austrian-American Jewish actor, folk singer, musician, composer, and activist.

He made his stage debut in Tevye the Milkman in Tel Aviv, Israel, when he was in his teens. He later studied acting at Britain's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and made his London stage debut in 1948 and in New York in 1955. He was also a widely recognized and recorded folk singer and guitarist. In 1959 he co-founded the Newport Folk Festival and created the role of Captain von Trapp opposite Mary Martin as Maria in the original Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. In 1969 Bikel began acting and singing on stage as Tevye in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, a role he performed more often than any other actor to date. The production won nine Tony Awards and was one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history.

Bikel was president of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America and was president of Actors' Equity in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Partners for Progressive Israel, where he also lectured.

Biography

Bikel was married four times. He married Ofra Ichilov in 1942. They divorced the following year. His second marriage was in 1967 to Rita Weinberg Call with whom he has two children. They divorced in 2008. He married conductor Tamara Brooks later that year. She died in 2012. He married Aimee Ginsburg on December 29, 2013.

For his 90th birthday in May 2014, various stars and celebrities paid tribute to his career through a video produced by Moment Magazine. Among those who spoke were Kirk Douglas, writer Leon Wieseltier and Leonard Nimoy, who himself had also played the role of Tevye when he acted in Fiddler on the Roof early in his career. Songwriter Peter Yarrow dedicated and performed a song he wrote about Bikel.

Bikel died on July 21, 2015, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles of natural causes, according to publicist Harlan Boll. Bikel is survived by his wife, Aimee Ginsburg-Bikel, his sons from his second marriage, Robert and Daniel, and three grandchildren.


Political activism
Bikel was a longtime activist in the civil rights and human rights movements, participating as a fundraiser with performances. He co-founded the Actors Federal Credit Union in 1962, and in 1968 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He was president of Actors' Equity from 1977 to 1982 in which office he supported human rights causes. Since 1988 he had been president of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America.

Upon hearing of his death, Actors’ Equity wrote: "From the time he joined Equity in 1954, Bikel has been an advocate for the members of our union and his extraordinary achievements paved the way for so many. No one loved theater more, his union better or cherished actors like Theo did. He has left an indelible mark on generations of members past and generations of members to come. We thank you, Theo, for all you have done."

Bikel was an active supporter and campaigner for John F. Kennedy. He did some of his campaigning during the run of Sound of Music which got him into trouble with the producers, who did not think it was becoming for an actor. He recalls, "I would go out sometimes between matinee and evening performances, go to a rally and speak from a flat-bed truck, and then come back to the theater." The producers stopped complaining, however, when after one show he was picked up backstage by a limousine carrying Eleanor Roosevelt, and he accompanied her to a Democratic rally as her special guest.

At the 1977 AFL–CIO Convention, Bikel welcomed the Russian dissident Vladimir Bukovsky upon his release from the Soviet Union. He was arrested in front of the Soviet Embassy in Washington in 1986 while protesting the plight of Soviet Jews.

President Jimmy Carter appointed him to serve on the National Council for the Arts in 1977 for a six-year term. In 2007 he served as chair of the Board of Directors of Meretz USA (now Partners for Progressive Israel).

He was a member of the High IQ collective Mensa International.

Best films

The African Queen (1952)
(Actor)
I Want to Live! (1958)
(Actor)
The Defiant Ones (1958)
(Actor)
The Little Ark (1972)
(Actor)
The Enemy Below (1957)
(Actor)

Usually with

Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
(3 films)
John Huston
John Huston
(3 films)
Guy Hamilton
Guy Hamilton
(2 films)
Stanley Baker
Stanley Baker
(3 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Theodore Bikel (55 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words, 1h28
Origin France
Genres Documentary, Musical
Actors Frank Zappa, Theodore Bikel, Arlene Francis, Steve Allen, Mike Douglas, June Lockhart
Roles Rance Muhammitz (archive footage)
Rating74% 3.7407753.7407753.7407753.7407753.740775
Quand, le 4 décembre 1993, Frank Zappa disparaît, le monde perd avec lui l'un de ses artistes les plus créatifs, mais aussi l’un de ses plus grands provocateurs. Connu pour ses paroles acérées, régulièrement boycotté et censuré par les radios et l’industrie du disque, le compositeur et guitariste américain compte parmi les personnalités les plus énigmatiques et les plus controversées de l’histoire de la musique du XXe siècle. Que ce soit comme enfant terrible du rock avec son groupe The Mothers of Invention, comme satiriste iconoclaste dénonçant la politique et la société ou comme businessman autodidacte gérant sa propre production, la radicalité de ses compositions et son opinion intransigeante ont polarisé les passions.
The Little Traitor, 1h29
Origin Israel
Genres Drama
Actors Alfred Molina, Zachi Noy, Rami Heuberger, Theodore Bikel, Ofer Shechter
Roles Interrogator
Rating68% 3.440593.440593.440593.440593.44059
The Little Traitor is set in 1947 Palestine, when the area still was ruled by the British, tells how 12-year-old Proffi (Ido Port) befriends the hated enemy, in the form of English Sgt. Dunlop (Alfred Molina), and sticks with him despite the suspicions of friends and family.
A Sacred Duty, 1h
Origin USA
Themes Films about animals, Environmental films, Films about religion, Documentary films about animal rights, Documentary films about law, Documentary films about environmental issues, Documentary films about religion, Documentary films about health care, Political films, Films about Jews and Judaism, Documentary films about nature
Actors Theodore Bikel

The film opens with footage of a NASA rocket launch, an animation of our solar system, and a quote from Deuteronomy 30:19 about choosing between life and death (illustrated with images of the planet Earth as seen from space, contrasted with an exploding atom bomb). This is followed by a statement that humanity has not been caring for the Earth properly according to Jewish teachings. Next comes a section about ancient Jewish texts and "sacred words" that provide "specific instructions on how to be custodians of the world in which we live." Throughout the film, quotes from the Torah, illustrated with closeups of Hebrew scrolls, Jews praying, and nature scenes, will be contrasted with the various environmental threats facing humanity today.
Crime and Punishment, 2h6
Directed by Menahem Golan
Genres Drama
Actors Crispin Glover, Vanessa Redgrave, John Hurt, Margot Kidder, Philip Jackson, John Neville
Roles Captain Koch
Rating55% 2.752132.752132.752132.752132.75213
Though the novel Crime and Punishment was written and set in the 19th century, this film version takes place in the then-future setting of the early 21st century. Rodion Raskolnikov, a student in his twenties who lives in Moscow, has published a paper which he argues that certain superior individuals can legitimately ignore laws, even the law against murder. He acts out this arrogant theory by murdering an old woman, a pawnbroker, and her sister who accidentally witnesses the crime. In the aftermath, Raskolnikov is increasingly tortured by his conscience.
Second Chances, 1h47
Directed by James Fargo
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Actors Tom Amandes, Isabel Glasser, Charles Shaughnessy, Madeline Zima, Terry Moore, Stuart Whitman
Roles Dutch John Hathaway
Rating65% 3.2562553.2562553.2562553.2562553.256255
After a car accident kills her dad and damages her leg a 10-year-old girl named Sunny Matthews moves with her over protective mother Kathleen Matthews next door to a horse ranch run by former rodeo star Ben Taylor when they're forced to sell their house. While adjusting to her new life Sunny develops a fondness for Ben and Ginger a beautiful barrel racing American Quarter Horse. Kathleen doesn't approve of Ben and Ginger, but she eventually trusts them.
Babylon 5: In the Beginning, 1h34
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Action, Adventure
Themes Space adventure films, Films set in the future, Space opera
Actors Bruce Boxleitner, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andreas Katsulas, Ardwight Chamberlain, Peter Jurasik
Roles Lenonn
Rating76% 3.8442853.8442853.8442853.8442853.844285
In the Beginning tells the story of an important event in the history of the Babylon 5 universe. Ten years before the television series Babylon 5 is set, Earth becomes involved in a deadly conflict with the just-discovered Minbari race. This war nearly leads to the extermination of the human race, but it is mysteriously halted at the last moment by the Minbari leadership for reasons that would remain secret for over a decade. This near-destruction of the human race led to the Earth Alliance creating the Babylon space stations as a means of preventing further wars.
Shadow Conspiracy, 1h43
Directed by George Cosmatos
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Action
Themes Political films
Actors Charlie Sheen, Donald Sutherland, Linda Hamilton, Stephen Lang, Ben Gazzara, Sam Waterston
Roles Prof. Yuri Pochenko
Rating49% 2.4520652.4520652.4520652.4520652.452065
Set in Washington D.C., this film documents an attempted power grab by White House Chief of Staff Jacob Conrad (Donald Sutherland). Bobby Bishop (Charlie Sheen) is a special aide to the President who finds out about a plot to assassinate the President from a former professor. Bobby's old professor is murdered shortly thereafter and Bobby is left to try to uncover the conspiracy on his own. He recruits his journalist friend Amanda Givens (Linda Hamilton) to help him uncover the mystery and stop the assassination.
Babylon 5: The Gathering, 1h29
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Action, Adventure
Themes Space adventure films, Films set in the future, Space opera
Actors Michael O'Hare, Tamlyn Tomita, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, John Fleck, Peter Jurasik
Rating65% 3.297663.297663.297663.297663.29766
In the earth year 2257, a multitude of humans and non-humans gather deep in neutral space at a new station, Babylon 5, which has recently become operational. Babylon 5 was built as a neutral venue for discussing and resolving issues between the five major spacefaring races of the galaxy, the humans, Narn, Centauri, Minbari and Vorlons. Commander Jeffrey Sinclair is in overall charge of the station.
Benefit of the Doubt
Genres Thriller
Themes Films about families
Actors Donald Sutherland, Amy Irving, Rider Strong, Christopher McDonald, Graham Greene, Theodore Bikel
Roles Gideon Lee
Rating51% 2.5582352.5582352.5582352.5582352.558235
Karen Bruswell est hantée depuis l'âge de douze ans par la mort de sa mère, elle se remémore une violente dispute entre ses parents et se souvient avoir vu ou cru voir, son père, Frank, précipiter cette dernière au bas de l'escalier. Elle revit périodiquement le procès où sa déposition, accablante, entraîna la condamnation de celui-ci pour homicide volontaire et elle l'entend encore lui souffler à l'oreille avant de partir en prison, Papa, n'oubliera jamais. Vingt deux ans plus tard, elle travaille comme serveuse dans un bar et élève toute seule, son petit garçon de onze ans, Pete. Lorsqu'elle apprend que son père a été libéré sur parole, elle implore la protection du shériff Bob Calhoun et insiste pour qu'il soit chassé de la ville. Ce dernier proteste car il n'en a pas le droit tant qu'aucune infraction n'a été commise. Or Frank observe un comportement exemplaire, témoignant ainsi d'un sincère désir de rachat.
Crisis in the Kremlin
Genres Thriller
Themes Political films
Actors Robert Rusler, Theodore Bikel, Stefan Lambov Danailov, Đoko Rosić

In the last days of the Soviet Union a Central Intelligence Agency agent is sent to Moscow to keep Mikhail Gorbachev safe from an assassination plot, and teams up with a veteran KGB agent.
Shattered
Shattered (1991)
, 1h38
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Action
Themes Assassinat, Medical-themed films, L'usurpation d'identité, Films about psychiatry, Films about disabilities, Escroquerie
Actors Tom Berenger, Bob Hoskins, Greta Scacchi, Joanne Whalley, Corbin Bernsen, Theodore Bikel
Roles Dr. Berkus
Rating64% 3.246623.246623.246623.246623.24662
While driving at night along the northern California coast, architect Dan Merrick (Tom Berenger) and wife Judith (Greta Scacchi) are involved in a violent car wreck. Dan suffers major injuries and significant brain trauma, resulting in psychogenic amnesia. After extensive plastic surgery, Dan returns home in Judith's care.
See You in the Morning, 1h59
Directed by Alan J. Pakula
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Romance
Actors Jeff Bridges, Alice Krige, Farrah Fawcett, Drew Barrymore, Lukas Haas, David Dukes
Roles Bronie
Rating58% 2.9025352.9025352.9025352.9025352.902535
While Beth Goodwin (Alice Krige) is a happily married mother of two children, living with a pianist (David Dukes), psychiatrist Larry Livingstone (Jeff Bridges) is living in New York with wife Jo (Farrah Fawcett) and their two young children. Three years later, Beth’s husband Peter suddenly becomes paralyzed in his hands and commits suicide, leaving Beth and the children heartbroken. Larry is abandoned by his wife and two children, who have moved to London since the split.
A Stoning in Fulham County, 2h
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Crime
Actors Ken Olin, Theodore Bikel, Ron Perlman, Gregg Henry, Jill Eikenberry, Brad Pitt
Roles Abe Moser
Rating59% 2.950622.950622.950622.950622.95062
An Amish family is returning home from a gathering when a group of reckless local teens drives past them in a red pickup truck shouting insults and throwing rocks. A rock hits the seven-month-old baby of the family, causing family patriarch Jacob (Ron Perlman) to borrow a nearby neighbor's phone to call for an ambulance. The baby dies, and county prosecutor Jim Sandler (Ken Olin) decides to investigate and prosecute for reckless homicide. To his frustration, he finds that the Amish family takes Biblical commandments to "turn the other cheek" and that "vengeance belongs to the Lord" literally and as forbidding to help civil authorities punish those who hurt them. Therefore the prosecutor must work to persuade them to speak up about what happened so that future harassment and aggression against the Amish community will cease.