Popular Israeli actor Alon Aboutboul, known internationally for his roles in major Hollywood films, has died at the age of 60.
According to Israeli media, Aboutboul collapsed suddenly on Tuesday morning while at HaBonim Beach near Tel Aviv. Despite emergency efforts, attempts to revive him with CPR were unsuccessful.
Born on May 28, 1965, in Kiryat Ata, Aboutboul built a prolific career across both Israeli and international screens. He starred in over 100 film and television productions, launching into prominence with his performance in Two Fingers from Sidon, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1986.
His international breakthrough came not long after, with a role in Rambo III (1988). Hollywood soon took notice, and in 2008, Aboutboul was cast by Ridley Scott in Body of Lies, acting alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Perhaps his most globally recognized appearance came in 2012, when he played Dr. Leonid Pavel, a Russian physicist, in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.
In 2016, he took on the chilling role of Aamir Barkawi, a ruthless arms dealer-turned-terrorist, in London Has Fallen.
Aboutboul was equally celebrated on television. He had a notable run on the FX drama Snowfall, portraying Israeli drug trafficker Avi Drexler across 25 episodes. He also appeared in the acclaimed Twin Peaks revival in 2017.
Just days before his passing, Aboutboul gave an interview discussing a recent film project and expressed his enduring passion for acting, which remained vibrant after decades in the profession.
He is survived by his wife, Shir Bilia, and their four children.
