Yehuda Levi

Yehuda Levi (Hebrew: יהודה לוי; born June 29, 1979) is an Israeli actor, model and TV host. His breakthrough role was in the TV series Lechayey Ha'ahava (Here's To Love, 2001).

For the Rishon, author of the Kuzari, see Yehuda Halevi. For the author of contemporary works on Judaism, Science, and society, see Yehuda (Leo) Levi. For the President and Publisher of The Jerusalem Post, see Yehuda Levy.
Yehuda Levi
Levi in 2018
Born (1979-06-29) June 29, 1979
Petah Tikva, Israel
Occupation(s)Actor, model, singer, TV host
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2017; div. 2021)​

Early life

Levi was born in Petah Tikva, Israel.[1] His father Yerachmiel Levi was born in Bulgaria to a family of Sephardi Jewish descent, whereas his mother Chaya (née Lichtenstein) was born in Poland to a family of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. At age four, their family moved to South Africa where his father worked at the time; a decade later, at age fourteen, they moved back to Israel. He graduated from the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts in Givatayim, Israel.[2]

During his Israel Defense Forces service, he was a commander of the military band of the Education Corps.

Career

He is an established actor, and came to the attention of the Israeli public through his soap opera roles.[1] In May 2006, HaAlufa (The Champion), a soap opera centered on a soccer team, premiered starring Levi as the main character and captain of the team "Hakoakh Yerushalayim" (Jerusalem Power). In 2014 he began playing a famous celebrity called Yehuda Levi in the Hot TV series, A Very Important Man.[3] He also has the lead role as a Mossad trainer in the Channel 2 series, Mossad 101 that began airing in 2015.

His film roles include Jagger in Yossi & Jagger.[4]

He was the spokesmodel of Israeli fashion brands Fox and Renuar.

On 12 March 2023, Levi was announced as the new host of HaMerotz LaMillion, Israel's version of The Amazing Race, replacing longtime host Ron Shahar.[5]

Personal life

Levi was previously in a relationship with the Israeli model Yael Bar Zohar and acted alongside her in the soap opera, Ramat Aviv Gimel.[6] In 2006, Levi got into a high-profile relationship with Israeli singer and actress Ninet Tayeb, the first winner of the show Kokhav Nolad. Haaretz described them as "Israel's favourite celebrity couple",[7] with The Jerusalem Post declaring them "Israel's Brangelina".[8] In 2013, after 8 years together, the couple broke up, stating that the breakup was mutual.[7] He has been described as one of the two most talked-about male stars in Israel (along with Ran Danker), Tayeb's former partner.[9]

In 2017, he married Israeli model Shlomit Malka. They resided in Tel Aviv. On June 6, 2021, the couple announced that they separated.[10]

Theater

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1996 Zolgot Hadma'ot Me'atzman (Tears Fall by Themselves) Car-hit boy
2002 Yossi & Jagger Lior Amichai (Jagger)
2004 Campfire Yoel
2005 Munich IDF soldier Minor role
2006 Schwartz Dynasty Avishai Co-star
2011 For the Love of Money Isaac
2013 Wonderland Rabbi Shmaya Knafo

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1996 Ramat Aviv Gimmel (Season 2) Gil Episode 21
2001 Lechayey Ha'ahava Gidi Meiri
2003–2005 Ahava Me'ever Lapina Lior Dvir
2006–2009 The Champion Saar Fedida Lead role
2007–2013 The Arbitrator Nadav Feldman
2010 Hasamba Third Generation Freddie Zorkin
2011 Eretz Nehederet (Season 8) Himself Episode 14
2012 Mom and Dads Sami Israel Lead role
2014 Very Important Person Himself Lead role
2015 Dig Ali Lavey / Ari Undercover; Shin Bet agent
HaMidrasha Yonna "Kinder" Harari Lead role
2023 Trust No One Head of the Israeli Shin Bet
2023–present HaMerotz LaMillion Host

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2003Dallas OUT TAKESBest ActorYossi & JaggerWon[11]
Israeli Film AcademyBest Acting in a Drama, Miniseries or Television MovieWon
2004Best Supporting ActorSchwartz DynastyNominated
2013Israeli Television AcademyBest Actor in a Drama SeriesMom and DadsNominated
2014Very Important PersonWon

References
  1. "Yehuda Levi". ibiography. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  2. "Yehuda Levi". Last.fm. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  3. Ego Trip or Bungee Jump? Yehuda Levi Stars in 'Selfie' TV Show Haaretz. 9 September 2014
  4. Musetto, Vincent (2003) "PASSIONS FLARE IN LOVE AND WAR", New York Post, 24 September 2003, p. 54
  5. יהודה לוי ינחה את "המירוץ למיליון" [Yehuda Levi will host "Race to a Million"]. Ynet (in Hebrew). 12 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  6. THE BREAK-UP THAT ROCKED ISRAEL Tablet. 23 August 2013
  7. Fans in Shock as Israel’s Favorite Celebrity Couple Announces Split Haaretz. 21 August 2013
  8. ISRAEL'S 'BRANGELINA', NINET TAYEB AND YEHUDA LEVI, SPLIT The Jerusalem Post. 20 August 2013
  9. Ran and Yehuda: An unavoidable war, Raviv Golan, Ynetnews, July 2, 2006
  10. Grapevine June 13, 2021: A pardon in suspense The Jerusalem Post. 13 June 2021
  11. "Yossi and Jagge". awiderbridge.org. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yehuda Levi.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.