Doron Ben-David Explained

Doron Ben-David
Native Name Lang:Hebrew
Birth Date:30 September 1980
Birth Place:Tel Aviv, Israel
Occupation:Actor

Doron Ben-David (he|דורון בן-דוד; born 30 September 1980) is an Israeli actor. He is best known for playing Steve in the Israeli television series, Fauda.[1]

Early life

Ben-David was born in Tel Aviv and was mostly raised by his mother in the Ramat Hanasi neighborhood in Bat Yam.[1] He was six-years-old when it was revealed that his father was leading a double life and had another family.[1] Ben-David has six half-siblings from his father's relationship with another woman.[1]

He studied at Ort Melton High School in Bat Yam. As a conscript in the Israel Defense Forces, he was stationed at the Erez Crossing as an inspector. He had to leave the army early after one year to work and support his family.[1]

He later studied acting at the Beit Zvi performing arts school in Ramat Gan.

Career

Since 2015, Ben-David has been a series regular, alongside Lior Raz in the Israeli thriller television series, Fauda. In the series, he plays Steve, part of a Special forces of Israel unit.[2] [1]

In 2016, he appeared in a stage production of Sami Michael's novel, A Trumpet in the Wadi at Haifa Theatre.[3]

Since 2020, he has starred in three seasons of the Israeli television police procedural series, Manayek on Kan 11.[1]

In 2022, Ben-David played the protagonist, Amir Halevi in the acclaimed Israeli drama series, The Lesson.[4] [5] The series was inspired by the much-publicized case of a civics teacher in Rishon LeZion in 2020.[6] In addition to acting, he teaches acting classes and models, appearing in fashion campaigns for Factory 54.[7]

Personal life

Ben-David is married to Mittal, a yoga instructor, with whom he has three children. He lives with his family in Holon.[1] He has spoken openly about experiencing anxiety and starting therapy at the age of 40.[8]

In the wake of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, Ben-David has volunteered. He prepared food and with other actors put on improvised shows for Israelis evacuated from border communities.[1]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008Ha-E (The Island)Hunter1 episode
2010MiralSoldier on busFilm
2012Allenby St.Samir1 episode
2013Bnei Aruba (Hostages)Mualem/Arms dealer2 episodes
2015Long DistanceShort film
2015–presentFaudaSteveSeries regular
2016Ptzuim BaRosh (Scarred)Dolev Tzipori2 episodes
Our FatherRomanoFilm
2016-2019MetumtemetEran16 episodes
2017A New SpiritShmuelFilm
Noflot al HaRaglayim (Landing on Their Feet)Yaniv2 episodes
2018–2021SrufimFranko
2018-2019Asylum CityItai12 episodes
2019Stop Feeling Like You're Not EnoughDoron Ben-DavidShort film
2020–presentManayekOfir Leibowitz30 episodes
2021Mekif MilanoItai7 episodes
2021–2022Malkot (Queens)Shimi10 episodes
2022The LessonAmir HaleviSeries regular
JerusalemAmirSeries regular

Notes and References

  1. https://www.mako.co.il/tvbee-tvbee-weekend/Article-e80f135418d1d81027.htm "Suddenly you walk in the house and you want to break things. It's a bomb in your face."
  2. https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-757717 Show of Hamsa: Fauda will return for a fifth season
  3. https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/346333 "I wanted to work with the book"
  4. https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/israeli-tv-series-lesson-jewish-streamer-chaiflicks-1235623589/ Israeli TV Series ‘The Lesson’ To Debut on Jewish Streamer ChaiFlicks in June (EXCLUSIVE)
  5. https://forward.com/culture/551216/the-lesson-chaiflicks-israeli-drama-review-eitan-zur-free-speech-social-media-culture-wars/ In a searing new Israeli drama, a classroom dispute explodes into Greek tragedy
  6. https://www.jta.org/2023/06/29/culture/the-lesson-a-gripping-drama-from-israel-casts-spotlight-on-thorny-social-issues-straight-from-the-headlines ‘The Lesson,’ a gripping drama from Israel, casts spotlight on thorny social issues straight from the headlines
  7. https://finance.walla.co.il/item/3613892 Doron Ben-David presents: From Fauda to fashion production
  8. https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/sjt00tu4nt "I thought everyone needed therapy and I was fine - until I had an anxiety attack at the age of 40"