Lior Ashkenazi (; born 28 December 1968) is an Israeli actor, voice actor, comedian and television presenter.Lior Ashkenazi’s filmography (in Hebrew) 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 Ophir Awards.
A graduate of Beit Zvi, he began his career on the Israeli stage. He had a breakout role playing Zaza, the son of Georgian Jewish immigrants in Late Marriage (2001). He also starred in Walk on Water (2004), Footnote (2011) and Foxtrot (2017). He is also known to international audiences for his role in Golda (2023). He has appeared on television in Our Boys (2019), Valley of Tears (2020) and most recently in Hulu's We Were the Lucky Ones (2024).
Biography Lior Ashkenazi was born in Ramat Gan, Israel, and grew up in the Neveh Yehoshua neighborhood. His parents are Sephardic Jews from Turkey who immigrated to Israel in 1964. His father, Shmuel, worked as a printer. His mother, Victoria, was a housewife. His parents spoke Ladino at home, and it was his first language. At the age of 16, in the wake of problems in school, he moved to Kibbutz Regavim.The Naked Truth, Haaretz
Ashkenazi served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces, and was stationed in the Israeli-occupied West Bank during the First Intifada.Shooting Star Haaretz. 18 August 2005
Ashkenazi was first married to Israeli actress Shira Farber, with whom he had his first daughter. After his divorce, he had a relationship with Israeli playwright and screenwriter Sigal Avin. In December 2011, he married Israeli producer Maya Amsellem. They had a daughter in August 2012.
Acting and film career
He studied acting at Beit Zvi. After graduating in 1994, he worked for Habima and Beersheba Theater. Simultaneously, he featured at the Beit Zvi Theater in productions like "Job's Passion," "N.B. Your cat is dead," "Brothers in blood," "The one who gets slapped," "Measure against measure," and "Photos." He starred in many plays at Beit Lessin Theater under the direction of Zipi Pines. He also appeared with the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv, although Beit Lessin remained his home base. His breakout role came in Late Marriage alongside Ronit Elkabetz in 2001.
In 2016 he appeared alongside Richard Gere in the political drama, Norman.Hollywood Press Praises New Israeli Films 'Norman,' 'Past Life' Haaretz. 18 September 2016 Ashkenazi won an Ophir Award for Best Lead ActorTo Culture Minster's Horror, 'Foxtrot' Wins Highest Award at 'Israeli Oscars' Haaretz. 19 September 2017 for his performance in the 2017 film, Foxtrot, Israel's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards. In November 2018 Ashkenazi appeared in Shakespeare's The Tempest, a joint production between the Old Globe Theatre and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.Israeli Actor Lior Ashkenazi to Play Lead Role in L.A. Shakespeare Play Haaretz. 16 September 2018
In 2019 Ashkenazi appeared in HBO's show Our Boys, an American-Israeli series. In late 2023, it was announced in Deadline Hollywood that he would play the lead role in Mosolov's Suitcase. Filming completed in the first quarter of 2024.
Ashkenazi is also a Hebrew-language dubber. He dubbed Li Shang in the 1998 Disney film Mulan and the 2005 sequel as well as the title character in Bolt.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1996 Pocahontas Kocoum (voice) Hebrew dub 1998 Mulan Captain Li Shang (voice) Hebrew dub 1999 Tarzan Adult Tarzan (voice) Hebrew dub 2001 Late Marriage (Hatuna Meuheret) Zaza 2003 Rutenberg (Ish HaHashmal, Electricity Man) LeonardA Gift from Above (Matana MiShamayim)Otri 2004 Walk on Water (Lalechet Al HaMaim) Eyal Home on the Range Buck Horse (voice) Hebrew dub 2005 Mulan II Captain Li Shang (voice) Hebrew dub 2006 The Bubble (HaBuah) Himself Cameo 2008 Bolt Bolt (voice) Hebrew dub Hello Goodbye Yossi French film 2009 Ultimatum Gil Italian film 2010 Rabies (Kalevet) Danny The first horror feature ever from Israel JFilm Festival presents: Rabies (Winner - Best Feature - Mile High Horror Film Festival) 2011 Footnote Uriel Shkolnik 2012 Karon Michael Short film Yossi Moti 2013 Big Bad WolvesBig Bad Wolves official facebook Micki 2014 The Dune Hanoch French film2015 EncirclementsBezalel Ninio 2016 Norman Micha Eshel 2017Foxtrot Michael Feldmann 20187 Days in Entebbe Yitzhak Rabin 2019My Zoe Secretary of State Ken Stanitzke 2022KaraokeItzik2023GoldaDavid Elazar2024Mosolov’s SuitcaseThe Filmmaker
Television Year Title Role Notes 2005 BeTipul Yadin Yerushalmi 2012Nesuuim plus Shuky Avrahami Hebrew version of Married... with Children (his character based on Al Bundy) 2013 The Missionary Yonatan Gall TV pilot 2016 Ikaron HaHachlafa Atlas Lead role 2019–present Eretz Nehederet Benny Gantz / Yoni Rechter / Various Characters 2020 Valley of Tears Meni Ben-Dror 2021 Hit & Run Assaf Netflix series 2022 Boged (Traitor) Georgi Lead role2024 We Were The Lucky OnesSolDisney+/Hulu series 2025 One Day in October Ofer Lieberman Episode: "Gatekeeper"
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2001 Israeli Film Academy Best Actor Late Marriage Best Supporting Actor Rutenberg (Ish HaHashmal) 2004 Best Actor Walk on Water Lior Ashkenazi, Biography. Omanoot 2011 Best Supporting Actor Footnote 2017 Best Actor Foxtrot 2015 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Actor Big Bad Wolves For Your Consideration: The 2015 Chainsaw Award Nominees for Best Actor!
Personal life Askenazi has a daughter from his previous marriage to screenwriter and actress Shira Farber, whom he divorced in 2005. In July 2011, he married film producer and distributor Maya Amsellem, whom he met a year earlier when they both worked on the film "Footnote." They had a daughter together in August 2012.
In several interviews, Askenazi has admitted that he sometimes provides false information about his personal life.
References
External links