New Delhi: Israeli film and television veteran Alon Abutbul passed away on Tuesday (July 29) at the age of 60 after collapsing at an unguarded beach south of Haifa. The actor was widely recognised for both his domestic and international screen work. He was reported to have entered the water for a swim before expressing sudden discomfort upon exiting.

According to multiple eyewitnesses, the incident unfolded rapidly. One beachgoer told Ynet News, “It happened in an instant. He went into the water and everything looked fine. A few minutes later, he came out saying he felt unwell. People rushed to help. He collapsed right there on the sand. Only when he got out of the water did people recognise him. It was a terrible tragedy. Everyone was in shock.”

What happened to Alon Abutbul?

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom arrived at the scene swiftly. Despite sustained efforts to resuscitate the actor for over an hour, he was declared dead on the spot. Another bystander speculated he might have entered a treacherous part of the sea. “It’s deceptive. We locals know to be cautious. He likely didn’t, and the current caught him,” they said.

Alon’s career spanned more than 40 years, including acclaimed performances in Bar 51, The Boarding School, and Two Fingers from Sidon. Internationally, he had been cast in Steven Spielberg’s Munich and portrayed a memorable antagonist in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. His nuanced roles earned him accolades, including a shared Ophir Award for Nina’s Tragedies. Notably, he starred in Beaufort and The Seven Days, which further cemented his critical reputation.

Who was Alon Abutbul?

Born in Kiryat Ata in 1965, Alon Abutbul came from a Mizrahi Jewish background, with family roots in Egypt and Algeria. He honed his craft at the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts and remained active in both theatre and film throughout his life.

At the time of his death, he had most recently appeared as the Mossad chief in the series The German. He is survived by his partner, Shir Bilia, and their four children.