Star of Fiddler on the Roof, Topol, gives interview

[bluegreen988]

tradition,tradition,if I was a rich man.

[alika207]

Omg! Next time you watch this movie or go to see a performance of it, listen to the orchestration on the line, "there would be one long staircase just going up and one even longer coming down." I love the text painting! If anyone doesn't know what I mean by that, let me know and I'll be happy to explain.

[dotmacis]

My sister Lisa and I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him at the stage door of Toronto's O'Keefe Centre (now known as the Sony Centre), after a performance of the 25th anniversary production in 1990. He autographed a souvenir programme and was an absolute gentleman. I'll never forget this!!!! :o)

[alika207]

I love his speaking voice! And to that commenter below me, he's Sefardi I believe.

[SupraSovereign]

Didn't Ben Bernanke quote him on Fiddler on the Roof when he was asked by Ron Paul why the fed doesn't invest in diamonds and only invests in gold. The Bernanke said, "tradition"

[POBulkhead]

He was great in Flash Gordon.

[littlebirdmjfan]

It's true that the audience goes nuts when he walks on stage. I saw one of the last few live performances & he walked out & there was standing applause for 5 minutes. It was amazing! :)

[Theodorej1960]

I have been a fan of this guy's, ever since I was a little toddler and fist saw the movie. He is absolutely wonderful and he's a gift to us all. He reminds us all that we're all "Tevya's", struggling to keep our balance......just like a Fiddler On The Roof. :)

[mrjabstudios]

I think that this guy is the best i ever saw and boy would i love to meet him in person...

[xanafanadu]

is he ashkenaz or sefardi?

[Digga1221]

Every now and then, an actor defines a role...becomes a standard by which other performers are measured...Chaim Topol is definitely the standard for Tevye.

[nkemmerle]

looks alot like saddam 

[09RedRoses09]

A timeless movie that i could watch over and over! I've never been fortunate enough to see it live but I'm grateful that i do have DVD. Chiam Topol is an amazing man and his performance in 'Fiddler On the Roof' is priceless..... Being a jewish woman makes me love it that much more

[IB13trix]

I was fortunate enough to not only see fiddler on the roof when it came out in theater when I was a kid, but also, just last year I saw This actor perform his final onstage appearance at the Pantages theater in LA. a memory I will have with me forever. Topal did an awesome job, he received a standing ovation. The feeling in that theater was I am sure, felt throughout. My hat goes off to this man for a job well done. And a Thank You for his part in making my life a little richer...

[MCgirltalk]

when i saw this in memphis, i cried throughout the whole play. he is SUCH an amazing actor, performer, and singer. he is absolutely phenomenal. (he cried as well at the end)

[MCgirltalk]

when i saw this in memphis, i cried throughout the whole play. he is SUCH an amazing actor, performer, and singer. he is absolutely phenomenal. (he cried as well at the end)

[lapambo]

This man is adorable.. don't care a bit about his age.. He was as sexi then,  as he is now.. simple adorable!!!

[carl5192]

aww errrm iii err?

[practicalwhacktical]

My birthday gift to my mom was taking her to see Topol live for his farewell tour. Amazing performance. I'm not a girly man and I had tears in my eyes a couple times.

[lonelygnome1]

If I were a rich man....I would go see him live.

[orionblaze000]

Ok!!! It's Official.. The Jews are the coolest group of people in the entire human race... And that is coming from a Christian like me!!!! Viva La Topol!!!

[ameaglejazzdude]

@orionblaze000 There is good and bad in everyone... even Jews. We can only embrace us all and admire the good in all of us, Asian, African, Muslim, Atheist... and help each other in our flaws.

[TheMikesMaiden]

perfect husband material a doll ty for posting

[mandygene2222]

may we always remember the great Topol who brought so much emotion and happiness to so many of us. may he rest in peace. bless his heart

[courageux28]

@mandygene2222 - Topol is still alive. He's 74 years old. Was only 36 years old when he appeared in Fiddler On The Roof.

[STILLCHIBS]

I just love him, he is sooooooooooo cute, I wanna be Golde

[grace230608]

a great film and actor

[TheLonelyDinosaur]

If I ever had an old Jewish husband, I want one like him. Golde's one lucky woman.

[movieman2000]

My parents and I went to see Fiddler on the Roof, phwoar, six years ago now, I think, 2004/2005 in Sydney. We are not Jewish, and a majority of the audience was, but the atmosphere was amazing, and when Topol walked on stage, we all burst into applause, even I did, not really understanding who he was, but it was an amazing experience and I'll cherish that memory forever. And I still haven't even seen the film, but I will before too long.

[shoshanatamar]

he is soooo cute!!

AND jewish AND isrealy!!!!

jewish are the best!!!

[Dreamcatcherwrites]

I don't think it was him being a poor diary farmer that was so appealing, it's that he really was doing his best by his family in tough times, and didn't run.

[MankoLKR]

Nice manpackage, Topol.

[Dadutta]

God bless you Topol

[woodyi59]

Saw Fiddler in Boston recently. The show overall was not as good as when I saw it on Broadway but Topol was fantastic. He carried the show,.

[strumfellow]

if i had one movie to take on a desert island this would be it great film great music and great cast and of course great director

[featherlightful]

I forgot to mention that this dear character, Topol's role, was so appealing, I wanted to have a husband JUST LIKE HIM!

Jeanne

[Amar7605]

@featherlightful You wanted a poor dairy farmer?

[lapambo]

@featherlightful I still want to find a husband just like him!!! LOL!!!

[featherlightful]

My MOST intense film experience as a young person. My family was Catholic, but my parents took us to see this film, and it had such an EFFECT on me! The WONDERFUL characters, actors, and script. I CANNOT say more than this. This is one of my TOP 10 films of my LIFE. Topol was OUTSTANDING! Oh, please! Thanks to GOD in Heaven above!

[elizab3th23]

@featherlightful i so agree with you...:)

[solly7]

It is really fascinating to think about just how young he was when he played in the film. A tremendous role & performance.

[KaylaElizabeth2]

I am seeing the show next Thursday (October 1st)! I swear, I have always dreamed of seeing the show on Broadway, but when I saw Topol was starring in it, I nearly peed my pants... talk about a dream really coming true.

[jess3a3]

I DREAM OF PISSING MY PANTS TOO

[TrpleThreat22]

HA HA!!!

[musicalchix]

I get to see him in December in Toronto!!

I seriously can't wait!! :D:D:D

[gonzagalaw]

i saw him in Spokane last Saturday; it was as if it didn't matter how many performances he had done in the past: it only mattered that he had a part to play and a story to tell to all of us who were there. A very humble man as well as I could see from the moment he stepped out on that stage and received an incredible ovation before even speaking.

[MessianicOne]

Hey zaglaw, I saw him at Sundays performance at the INB. Topol rocks... I hope I am that sharp at 74. Excellent show. Sad that its over.

[technojoel]

I saw him in Dallas, TX. I wanted to cry at the end.

[laurianni]

Just saw him last night in Portland, OR.....phenomenal!

[tmcoolen]

Saw him today, and he was fabulous. So subtle and he moves beautifully.

[SoCalTubie]

I also saw him at the Orange County Performong Arts Center last night. Simply incredible!!! If you have a chance to see him during this farewell performance, you simply must!

[bollinbol]

i was there to, he was great

[jackalope3204]

I saw him tonight at the OC Performing Arts Center. Most amazing live performance i have ever seen!!

[DarinBell]

Saw him last night at the OC Performing Arts Center. Only Topol can play Tevye. It was a pleasure watching him perform.

[ab1274]

Just saw him in L.A. last Saturday and I'm so glad I did. He IS Tevye. Thank you Topol!

[Paulmancieri67]

He is being quite humble about the reception he receives. He has brought a presence to the show that defies description. A wonderful actor.

[ChristynH]

I also saw it at the Pantages, and indeed we the crowd wouldn't even let him start when he walked on the stage because we were clapping like mad. He is PURE PERFECTION. You cannot differentiate Topol and Fiddler on the Roof. They are one in the same. Thank you, Topol, for continuing to make this musical such an important part of my life!!

[BroadwayGirl24]

i just saw him in LA at the Pantages. 5th row center. He was absolute perfection. His facial expressions are so funny

[efil4own1]

If you liked Topol in "Fiddler On The Roof", check out an Israeli film called "Sallah", which he did several years before he first played Tevye all those years ago. There's a tavern scene that's very similar to the one in "Fiddler"!

[catholicexodus]

I just scored tix for the Farewell tour at the Panteges in LA. I'm freaking! Topol as Tevye live!