Yehuda Levi (; born June 29, 1979) is an Israeli actor, model and TV presenter. Regarded as one of the best performers of his generation in Israel, he is recognized for his versatile work across independent films, television and the stage. He has received numerous accolades, including three Best Actor awards from the Israeli Academy of Television for his performances in Yossi & Jagger (2002) and Very Important Person (2014–2019).
He starred as Nadav Feldman in the Israeli crime series, The Arbitrator (2007 - 2014). He also starred in the Israeli television action drama series, Mossad 101 (2015 - 2017), the Haredi drama series, Fire Dance (2022) and A Body That Works (2023-present).
Early life Levi was born in Petah Tikva, Israel. His father Yerachmiel Levi was born in Bulgaria and his mother Chaya (née Lichtenstein) was born in Poland. 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.
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. In 2002, he starred as a gay soldier in the Eytan Fox film, Yossi & Jagger.Musetto, Vincent (2003) "PASSIONS FLARE IN LOVE AND WAR", New York Post, 24 September 2003, p. 54FILM REVIEW; Israeli Officers In Love, Trying To Elude Death And Detection The New York Times. 24 September 2003 The film initially premiered on Israeli television and Levin won the Best Actor award from the Israeli Academy of Television.Awards IMDB. Retrieved on 4 April 2024
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.Ego Trip or Bungee Jump? Yehuda Levi Stars in 'Selfie' TV Show Haaretz. 9 September 2014 He won two Best Actor awards from the Israeli Academy of Television for his performance in the role.Awards Retrieved on 4 April 2024
He also played the lead role as a Mossad trainer in the Channel 2 series, Mossad 101 that began airing in 2015. In 2022, he starred as a Haredi rabbi in Rama Burshtein's television drama series, Fire Dance.‘Fire Dance’: First Trailer For Rama Burshtein’s Series Mania Drama About Forbidden Love In The Orthodox Community Deadline. 17 February 2022 For the role, he was awarded the Best Actor award for an international series at Series Mania in France in 2022.Israeli TV Won Big at the Series Mania Festival. It's Easy to See Why Haaretz. 27 March 2022
A year later, he starred alongside Rotem Sela in the Israeli surrogacy drama series, A Body that Works.Surrogacy Drama Series ‘A Body That Works’ Debuts Trailer: ‘In Israel, Pregnancy is Public Property’ (EXCLUSIVE) Variety. 21 March 2023 The series was Israel's highest rated drama of 2023.Surrogacy Drama ‘A Body That Works’ Renewed for Second Season (EXCLUSIVE) Variety. 26 February 2024
Additional work
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.
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.THE BREAK-UP THAT ROCKED ISRAEL Tablet. 23 August 2013 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", with The Jerusalem Post declaring them "Israel's Brangelina".ISRAEL'S 'BRANGELINA', NINET TAYEB AND YEHUDA LEVI, SPLIT The Jerusalem Post. 20 August 2013 In 2013, after 8 years together, the couple broke up, stating that the breakup was mutual.Fans in Shock as Israel’s Favorite Celebrity Couple Announces Split Haaretz. 21 August 2013 He has been described as one of the two most talked-about male stars in Israel (along with Ran Danker), Tayeb's former partner.Ran and Yehuda: An unavoidable war, Raviv Golan, Ynetnews, July 2, 2006
In 2017, he married Israeli model Shlomit Malka. They resided in Tel Aviv. On June 6, 2021, the couple announced that they separated.Grapevine June 13, 2021: A pardon in suspense The Jerusalem Post. 13 June 2021 Levi is Dating actress Dana Frieder, they are expecting their first child.
Theater 1993: David 1995: Carmen 2004: Tarzan and Jane - Tarzan 2008: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Joseph
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1996 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) Yaniv Biton Episode 14 2012 Mom and Dads Sami Israel Lead role 2014 Very Important Person Yehuda Levi Lead role 2015 Dig Ali Lavey / Ari Undercover; Shin Bet agent Mossad 101 Yonna "Kinder" Harari Lead role 2017 Shababnikim Yehuda Levi S1, episode 82022 Fire Dance Yonna "Kinder" Harari Lead role2023Trust No OneHead of the Israeli Shin Bet 2023 A Body That Works Ido Avrahami Series regularEast SideMomi Series regular
TV Presenter Year Title Role Notes 2023–present HaMerotz LaMillion Host
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2003 Dallas OUT TAKES Best Actor Yossi & Jagger Israeli Film Academy Best Acting in a Drama, Miniseries or Television Movie 2004 Best Supporting Actor Schwartz Dynasty 2013 Israeli Television Academy Best Actor in a Drama Series Mom and Dads 2014 Very Important Person
See also
List of Israeli actors
References
External links