Yisrael Poliakov

Yisrael "Poli" Poliakov (; 7 July 1941 – 30 October 2007) was an Israeli comedian and actor. Poliakov was born in Jerusalem, and grew up in Tel Aviv. He became one of the three members of the Israeli comedy group, HaGashash HaHiver (The Pale Tracker).

Career Born in Jerusalem and the son of footballer Shlomo Poliakov, he originally chose a career as a farmer and studied at the Kfar HaYarok agricultural high school. This changed when he was spotted at a school party by members of Nahal Brigade's entertainment troupe, and he was soon recruited by the group. In 1961, he joined the original singing band HaTarnegolim (The Roosters) that had been founded by Naomi Polani, the original cast of which broke up in 1964.

Poliakov appeared in a number of famous Israeli films, often with members of HaGashash HaHiver. His film credits include Schlager (The Hit) in 1979; Krav al Hava'ad (The House Committee) in 1986; and Givat Halfon Eina Ona (Halfon Hill Doesn't Answer) in 1975. He appeared in a number of Israeli television roles, ).

Poliakov began working on stage as a theater actor in 2000. His credits include The Israeli Family, The Rubber Merchants, God's Finger, Mother Courage and Her Children and The Return of Moris Shpigelman. The judges wrote of their award decision:

Death Yisrael Poliakov died of liver cancer at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva on October 30, 2007, at the age of 66, following a two-week hospitalization for heart problems. Poliakov's coffin was taken to Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv for a public memorial service, and was buried in a cemetery in Kibbutz Einat.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1964 Mishpahat Simhon 1966 Moishe Ventilator 1966 Fortuna 1967 Ervinka Leon 1968 Ha-Shehuna Shelanu 1969 Lifnei Maher 1970 Hitromamut 1976 Giv'at Halfon Eina Ona Sergio Konstanza 1977 1979 Schlager Zigi Fuchsman 1980 Kohav Hashahar 1986 Ha-Krav Al HaVa'ad Dr. Zigmund Shoresh 1997 Campaign 1999 Gufa BaCholot 2004 Ha-Bsora Al-Pi Elohim 2006 Lemarit Ain Oria

Personal life In 1967 he married actress Rina Ganor but after a few years the two divorced. In 1971 he married a second time to singer Riki Gal; they divorced in 1975. After that he married a third time to actress (nee Mishal), with whom he was married until his death. He and Shosh had two sons: Itamar and Ariel, and a daughter, Yael Poliakov.