Dudu Topaz

Dudu Topaz, born David Goldenberg on 20 September 1946 in Haifa, in the British Mandate of Palestine (now Israel), was an Israeli stand-up comedian, actor, television host, writer and playwright. After completing his military service, he studied acting in London and subsequently performed with the Haifa Theatre. Topaz built his early reputation in the 1970s as a stand-up comic, filling concert halls across Israel with an act that mocked and satirized Israeli society and culture at a time when the country was becoming confident enough to laugh at itself. He also took part in the popular Israeli radio comedy program Litzon Nofel Al Litzon during this period. Topaz later moved into television, where he dominated Israeli prime time programming through the 1980s and 1990s as host of variety shows, comedy programs, talk shows and satirical broadcasts, earning him the nickname the ratings king. From 1994 to 2004, he hosted the long running entertainment program known first as Rashut HaBidur and later as HaRishon BaBidur, one of the highest rated shows in the history of Israeli commercial television. In 2008, Topaz was charged with conspiring to incite violence against prominent Israeli media figures. He died by suicide in August 2009 while incarcerated and awaiting trial.