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Rami Heuberger

Rami Heuberger (Hebrew: רמי הויברגר; 12 October 1963 – 28 August 2025) was an Israeli actor, comedian, theatre director, and writer renowned for his versatile performances in film, television, and stage. He gained international recognition for roles in Hollywood productions including a minor part in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List (1993) and a supporting role in the biopic Golda (2023) portraying Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir's inner circle. In Israel, Heuberger was celebrated as one of the leading character actors of his generation, starring in acclaimed television series such as Ha-Hamishiya Ha-Kamerit (The Cameri Quintet) and films like Mivtza Savta (Operation Grandma), while also directing theatre productions that earned critical praise for their innovative approach. After a prolonged battle with cancer diagnosed in early 2023, he passed away at age 61, leaving a legacy of over four decades in the arts marked by his distinctive comedic timing and dramatic depth.

Early life and education

Rami Heuberger was born on October 12, 1963, in , . He was raised in . He attended Ironi Aleph High School in . Following graduation, Heuberger completed mandatory military service in the , including time in the Military Police Corps. After his discharge, Heuberger pursued acting training at the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in . His studies there prepared him for entry into professional upon completion in 1989.

Career

Theatre work

Heuberger joined the Cameri Theatre in 1989, marking the start of his prominent stage career in Israeli theatre. His debut included a role in , after which he took on principal parts across multiple productions at the Cameri, demonstrating versatility in both dramatic and comedic genres. Over the years, Heuberger performed leading roles in acclaimed stage works at the Cameri Theatre, such as , , , and . He also appeared in and The Bourgeois Gentleman, roles that highlighted his ability to blend humor with . Additional Cameri credits encompassed Sleuth, , and , alongside performances at Habima Theatre and other Israeli venues like Haifa Theatre () and Beersheba Theatre (). In addition to acting, Heuberger directed theatre productions, contributing to the creative direction of stage works during his tenure with major Israeli ensembles. His long-term association with the Cameri spanned decades, yielding a series of memorable performances that established his reputation in live theatre.

Television appearances

Heuberger rose to prominence as a principal cast member of the satirical series Ha-Hamishia Hakamerit (The Cameric Five), which aired on Israeli television from to 1997. The program, featuring Heuberger alongside Keren Mor, Dov Navon, Shai Avivi, and Menashe Noy, consisted of humorous sketches satirizing Israeli society, military life, and politics, with Heuberger often portraying recurring characters like the who opens segments complaining about experiences. This role helped establish his reputation for sharp, authentic comedic timing, contributing to the show's status as a cultural touchstone that remains widely quoted and referenced in decades later. Beyond The Cameric Five, Heuberger took on varied television roles, blending comedy and drama. He played Ido Weiner in the crime series HaBorer (The Arbitrator) from 2010 to 2014, Shaul Agmon in the political drama Yaldey Rosh HaMemshala (Children of the Prime Minister) during 2011–2012, and appeared in the Israeli adaptation of BeTipul (In Treatment). He also featured in satirical formats like Mivtza Savta (Operation Grandma) sketches and HaBorgnim (The Bourgeoisie), extending his early comedic style into broader broadcast work. Later appearances included the series Normal (2020), where he portrayed Udi across eight episodes.

Film roles

Heuberger made his film debut in the 1988 war drama , portraying a helicopter co-pilot amid the Soviet-Afghan conflict. His international breakthrough came in 1993 with Steven Spielberg's , where he played Josef Bau, a Jewish graphic artist and forger who survived by forging documents for and secretly married his wife in the Plaszow camp. The film, which earned seven including Best Picture, highlighted Heuberger's ability to embody historical figures in high-stakes survival narratives. In Israeli cinema, Heuberger starred as Moishe, a survivor fixated on reuniting with his lost son, in the 2006 drama Dear Mr. Waldman, directed by Hanan Peled and set in 1960s . The film, praised for capturing post- emotional scars, holds an 88% approval rating on based on limited reviews. He followed with the role of a father in The Little Traitor (), a adapted from Amos Oz's Panther in the Basement, depicting 1947 under Mandate where his son befriends a . Directed by Lynn Roth, it received mixed critical reception, scoring 38% on . Heuberger portrayed Israeli Defense Minister in the 2023 biographical drama Golda, directed by , which chronicles Prime Minister 's decisions during the 1973 War's opening days. The film, starring as Meir, earned a 54% score, with Heuberger's performance contributing to its focus on and national crisis. His film selections often emphasized historical dramas rooted in Jewish and Israeli experiences of war, survival, and identity, blending international visibility with domestic narratives.

Directing and writing contributions

Heuberger directed several theatrical productions at the Habima National Theatre of Israel, leveraging his extensive acting experience to inform his approach to staging. In 2007, he directed and starred in an adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's Scenes from a Marriage (Tmuhot mi'Chayei HaNisu'in), which explored relational dynamics through interpersonal conflict. The following year, in 2008, he helmed Elling, a comedic drama adapted from Axel Helland's novel about two mentally ill men navigating societal reintegration, featuring actors including Dov Navon and Uri Hochman. In 2009, Heuberger directed Anton Chekhov's The Seagull (HaShachaf), emphasizing themes of artistic aspiration and unrequited love amid Russia's cultural elite. His directing style, as he described in a 2010 , benefited from his performer background, allowing deeper insight into actors' processes compared to directors without stage experience. These works contributed to Habima's repertoire by blending classical and modern elements, though specific production metrics like attendance or critical reception metrics remain undocumented in available records. In writing, Heuberger received credits for television projects that incorporated satirical and character-driven narratives. He co-wrote episodes for the 2006 series Mo'adon Layla (Night Club), a comedy-drama set in a nightclub examining urban social interactions. Additionally, he contributed to Back of the Nation (2015), a series delving into underbelly societal issues through ensemble storytelling. These efforts highlighted his input in crafting dialogue and plot structures attuned to cultural nuances, extending his creative influence beyond performance. No standalone writing projects or film scripts are verifiably attributed to him.

Personal life and death

Family and relationships

Heuberger was first married to lighting designer Noa Lev, with whom he had two children before divorcing after approximately two decades. He later formed a long-term relationship with artist Dana Yahalomi, bearing two additional children with her. These four children survived him following his death in 2025. He maintained residence in throughout much of his adult life, where his family affiliations were centered.

Health issues and death

Heuberger was diagnosed with , a rare cancer, which he publicly disclosed in an April 2025 interview with Rafi Reshef. He described the initial symptom as a tennis ball-sized growth in his hand, leading to aggressive treatments that he characterized as nearly fatal, stating, "It was almost the end." Over the subsequent months, his condition deteriorated amid complications including recurrent predatory bacterial infections requiring multiple surgeries and prolonged hospitalizations. Despite these interventions, the cancer progressed, and Heuberger succumbed to it on August 28, 2025, at in , , aged 61. His funeral took place the next day at Yarkon Cemetery in , attended by family, fellow , and directors who eulogized his sharp intellect and contributions to theater. Tributes highlighted his resilience, with one colleague noting a "mad drive to feel everything intensely," reflecting on his life's unreserved pursuit amid illness.

Controversies and legal issues

2007 sexual harassment investigation

In March 2007, police opened an investigation into Rami Heuberger following a filed by a who had worked with him approximately one year earlier on a student film production. The alleged that Heuberger had committed indecent acts against her, constituting . Heuberger was questioned by police around late February or early March 2007 and denied the allegations in full, asserting no wrongdoing occurred. He was released on with a prohibiting contact with the complainant. On March 14, 2007, authorities conducted a confrontation between Heuberger and the accuser, during which he reiterated his denial; police also planned to interview a witness who had reportedly observed related interactions. The investigation concluded on May 29, 2007, when the case was closed for lack of guilt, with no charges filed against Heuberger. In a subsequent , Heuberger described the ordeal as profoundly distressing, likening it to a Kafkaesque of unfounded and reputational harm until .

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