Sasson Gabai

Sasson Gabai, born on 24 November 1947 in Baghdad, Iraq, is a celebrated Israeli actor whose career spans more than five decades. After emigrating with his Baghdadi Jewish family to Israel during childhood, he completed his mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces before enrolling at Tel Aviv University, where he studied theatre and psychology. Upon graduation, Gabai joined the Khan Theatre under Michael Alfreds, subsequently performing at the Hacameri, Be'er Sheva, and Beit Lessin theatres, where he remains a permanent staff member, showcasing his versatility in productions such as Servant of Two Masters, Catch‑22, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Rain Man, as well as delighting younger audiences as Captain Hook in the 1989 musical Peter Pan. Transitioning to screen, Gabai built an extensive filmography that includes Israeli hits like Sipurei Tel‑Aviv and Time for Cherries—the latter earning him an Ophir Award—as well as international projects such as Rambo III and the TV mini‑series House of Saddam, where he portrayed Ahmed Hassan al‑Bakr. His performance in the critically acclaimed The Band’s Visit (2007) garnered both an Ophir and a European Film Award, cementing his status as a leading actor. On television, Gabai has appeared in beloved series such as The Haim Neighborhood, Siton, Late Night Stories, and the award‑winning comedy Polishuk, for which he received an Israeli Television Academy Award. More recently, his role as Nuchem Shtisel in the internationally praised series Shtisel has introduced him to a global audience. Fluent in six languages—Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Yiddish, English, and French—Gabai’s linguistic skill further enhances his diverse repertoire. He resides in Tel Aviv, is married, and is a father of five children, balancing a prolific artistic life with a rich family life.