Yaakov Bodo
Encyclopedia
Yaakov Bodo (born 1931) is an Israel
i actor and comedian notable for numerous Israeli film appearances, for his years in theater, and for his work in the Yiddish language
theater in particular. He is also notable for his performance as "Moishe Ventilator" (also Moishe Air-Condition http://www.targumon.co.il/title_002627) in the self titled theater show that ran over a thousand times and was eventually made into a film by that name in 1966.
Bodo is a recipient of the Israeli Theater Award lifetime achievement award, the Edith and Israel Pollack Award, and the Lerner Yiddish Foundation Award.
and Kiryat Haroshet after they emigrated to Palestine
in 1933 (then under British Mandate control).
, where he first assembled and led the Southern Command Troupe. Following the disbanding of that troupe in 1954, he was assigned the creation of the Northern Command troupe, which he led for three and a half years.
During this period, he came up with his "Moishe Ventilator" character
. Upon his release, he starred in a theater show by that name which was a hit in the 1950s—running more than a thousand times—and which was eventually made into a film version.
as well as commercial theater, mostly in the Yiddish language
, where he was successful. In 1992 he joined the Yiddish-Shpeil theater where he mostly performs in leading roles. Among the more notable plays he performed in were "Maagal HaGir" (lit. "The Chalk Circle"), and "Karnafim" (lit. "Rhinoceroses").
's critically acclaimed film Sallah Shabati
alongside notable actors and performers such as Chaim Topol
, Gila Almagor
, Zaharira Harifai, Shaike Levi
, and Arik Einstein
. The film was a satirical portrayal of the poor conditions and the integration of the Jewish refugees from Arab lands living in the maabara.
In 1966, Bodo's character, Moishe Ventilator, was picked up and made into a parody film by the same name , where, under the direction of Uri Zohar
, Bodo, accompanied by Shaike Ophir and the Gashah HaHiver trio, portrayed a frugal private
whose cost cutting ideas include cutting on maps in the operation room, which are coveted by a spy who infiltrates the IDF ranks.
In 1967, he performed in Kishon's film Ervinka
' onMouseout='HidePop("49949")' href="/topics/Chaim_Topol">Chaim Topol
), about an incorrigible layabout who becomes involved in a robbery of the Israeli lottery under the cover of making a documentary.
Bodo has also performed in the films The Fox in the Chicken Coop
, Nahche and The General , Millionaire in Trouble , Margo Sheli , Take When They Give , Five Five , A Miracle in The Village , Just Not on Saturday , Not a Word to Morgenstern , and others.
, the city that his family was sent to soon after they emigrated to Israel in the early 1950s
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i actor and comedian notable for numerous Israeli film appearances, for his years in theater, and for his work in the Yiddish language
Yiddish language
Yiddish is a High German language of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, spoken throughout the world. It developed as a fusion of German dialects with Hebrew, Aramaic, Slavic languages and traces of Romance languages...
theater in particular. He is also notable for his performance as "Moishe Ventilator" (also Moishe Air-Condition http://www.targumon.co.il/title_002627) in the self titled theater show that ran over a thousand times and was eventually made into a film by that name in 1966.
Bodo is a recipient of the Israeli Theater Award lifetime achievement award, the Edith and Israel Pollack Award, and the Lerner Yiddish Foundation Award.
Early years
Bodo was born in Romania in 1931, and spoke only Yiddish until the age of 7. He emigrated with his family to Israel in 1950 and settled in Afula. His grandparents were Zionists who helped establish Kfar HasidimKfar Hasidim
Kfar Hasidim , also known as Kfar Hasidim Alef to distinguish it from Kfar Hasidim Bet, is a moshav in northern Israel. Located near Kiryat Ata, it falls under the jurisdiction of Zevulun Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 572....
and Kiryat Haroshet after they emigrated to Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
in 1933 (then under British Mandate control).
Early career
A year after his arrival in Israel, Bodo joined the Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
, where he first assembled and led the Southern Command Troupe. Following the disbanding of that troupe in 1954, he was assigned the creation of the Northern Command troupe, which he led for three and a half years.
During this period, he came up with his "Moishe Ventilator" character
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
. Upon his release, he starred in a theater show by that name which was a hit in the 1950s—running more than a thousand times—and which was eventually made into a film version.
Theater
Bodo performed on the stages of the institutionalized theaters Zira Theatre, Habima Theatre, Haifa TheatreHaifa Theatre
The Haifa Theatre is the municipal theater company of Haifa, Israel.Haifa Theater, Israel's first municipal theater, was established by Haifa mayor Abba Hushi.Founded in 1961, the Haifa Theater employs Jewish and Arab actors, and has an international reputation for performing provocative works...
as well as commercial theater, mostly in the Yiddish language
Yiddish language
Yiddish is a High German language of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, spoken throughout the world. It developed as a fusion of German dialects with Hebrew, Aramaic, Slavic languages and traces of Romance languages...
, where he was successful. In 1992 he joined the Yiddish-Shpeil theater where he mostly performs in leading roles. Among the more notable plays he performed in were "Maagal HaGir" (lit. "The Chalk Circle"), and "Karnafim" (lit. "Rhinoceroses").
Film
In 1964 he performed in Ephraim KishonEphraim Kishon
' was an Israeli author, dramatist, screenwriter, and film director. He is one of the most widely-read contemporary satirists in the world.- Early life and World War II :...
's critically acclaimed film Sallah Shabati
Sallah Shabati
Sallah Shabati is a 1964 Israeli comedy film about the chaos of Israeli immigration and resettlement. This social satire placed the director Ephraim Kishon and producer Menahem Golan among the first Israeli filmmakers to achieve international success...
alongside notable actors and performers such as Chaim Topol
Chaim Topol
Chaim Topol , often billed simply as Topol, is an Israeli theatrical and film performer, actor, writer and producer. He has been nominated for an Oscar and Tony Award, and has won two Golden Globes.-Early life:...
, Gila Almagor
Gila Almagor
Gila Almagor is an Israeli actress, film star, and author.-Biography:Gila Almagor was born four months after the death of her father, Max Alexandrowitz, a Jewish immigrant from Germany who was killed by an Arab sniper while working as a policeman in Haifa...
, Zaharira Harifai, Shaike Levi
Shaike Levi
Yeshayahu "Shaike" Levi is an Israeli comedian, singer and actor. He is best known for his role in the Gashash HaHiver comedy trio, which won the Israel Prize in 2000..-Biography:...
, and Arik Einstein
Arik Einstein
Arik Einstein is an Israeli singer-songwriter.Einstein was a vocalist for Batzal Yarok , Shleeshiyat Gesher Hayarkon and Hahalonot Hagvohim . His collaboration with Shalom Hanoch and the Churchills planted the seeds for the first Israeli rock albums...
. The film was a satirical portrayal of the poor conditions and the integration of the Jewish refugees from Arab lands living in the maabara.
In 1966, Bodo's character, Moishe Ventilator, was picked up and made into a parody film by the same name , where, under the direction of Uri Zohar
Uri Zohar
Uri Zohar is a former Israeli film director, actor, and comedian who left the entertainment world to become a rabbi.-Biography:Zohar was born in Tel Aviv in 1934. In 1952, he graduated high school and did his military service in an army entertainment troupe. His first marriage ended in divorce.By...
, Bodo, accompanied by Shaike Ophir and the Gashah HaHiver trio, portrayed a frugal private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
whose cost cutting ideas include cutting on maps in the operation room, which are coveted by a spy who infiltrates the IDF ranks.
In 1967, he performed in Kishon's film Ervinka
Ervinka
Ervinka is a 1967 Israeli film written and directed by Ephraim Kishon. The film, starring Chaim Topol is a comical tale of a con man who falls in love with a police officer.-Plot:...
' onMouseout='HidePop("49949")' href="/topics/Chaim_Topol">Chaim Topol
Chaim Topol
Chaim Topol , often billed simply as Topol, is an Israeli theatrical and film performer, actor, writer and producer. He has been nominated for an Oscar and Tony Award, and has won two Golden Globes.-Early life:...
), about an incorrigible layabout who becomes involved in a robbery of the Israeli lottery under the cover of making a documentary.
Bodo has also performed in the films The Fox in the Chicken Coop
The Fox in the Chicken Coop
Based on Ephraim Kishon’s satirical book by the same name, The Fox in the Chicken Coop is a 1978 Israeli film directed by Kishon. It features many prominent Israeli actors of the time, most notably Shaike Ophir and Seffy Rivlin...
, Nahche and The General , Millionaire in Trouble , Margo Sheli , Take When They Give , Five Five , A Miracle in The Village , Just Not on Saturday , Not a Word to Morgenstern , and others.
Awards
Yaakov Bodo has been awarded the 2009 Israeli Theater Award lifetime achievement award, the Edith and Israel Pollack Award for 1999, and the Lerner Yiddish Foundation Award for 2000.Personal life
Bodo is married with three children and has five grandchildren. He is still married to his wife and personal manager, Ester, whom he met in AfulaAfula
Afula is a city in the North District of Israel, often known as the "Capital of the Valley", referring to the Jezreel Valley. The city had a population of 40,500 at the end of 2009.-History:...
, the city that his family was sent to soon after they emigrated to Israel in the early 1950s
1950s
The 1950s or The Fifties was the decade that began on January 1, 1950 and ended on December 31, 1959. The decade was the sixth decade of the 20th century...
.