Alon Aboutboul, the prolific Israeli actor who appeared in Hollywood movies such as The Dark Knight Rises, has died at the age of 60.
Miki Zohar, Israel’s minister for culture and sport, paid tribute to Aboutboul, saying that the actor had left a “profound” mark on the nation’s culture.
The Jerusalem Post and other Israeli media are reporting that Aboutboul died unexpectedly on HaBonim Beach in Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning. He reportedly collapsed and received unsuccessful CPR.
Born in the city of Kiryat Ata in 1965, Aboutboul appeared in more than 100 film and television titles, including a breakout role in Two Fingers from Sidon, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1986.
Two years later, he was credited for a part in Rambo III, while other Hollywood roles would follow. Ridley Scott cast him in 2008’s Body of Lies opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.
In 2012, Aboutboul played Russian nuclear physicist Dr. Pavel in Christopher Nolan’s Batman finale, The Dark Knight Rises. Another notable role came in 2016’s London Has Fallen, in which he starred as Aamir Barkawi, an arms dealer turned terrorist mastermind.
Aboutboul also embraced television work. In FX series Snowfall, he appeared as recurring character Avi Drexler in 25 episodes. He also featured in 2017’s Twin Peaks.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden passing of the actor Alon Abutbul, may his memory be blessed,” Zohar said, per a translation on X/Twitter.
“Over the years, he portrayed a wide range of characters, bringing depth and emotion to them, leaving a profound mark on Israeli culture.”
The Jerusalem Post reported that Aboutboul is survived by his wife, Shir Bilia, and their four children.
