| Gavri Banai | |
| Native Name: | גברי בנאי |
| Native Name Lang: | he |
| Othername: | Gavriel Banai |
| Birth Date: | 9 July 1939 |
| Birth Place: | Jerusalem, israel |
| Occupation: | Actor, comedian, singer |
| Yearsactive: | 1964–present |
| Children: |
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Gabriel (Gavri) Banai (Hebrew: גבריאל (גברי) בנאי; born on July 9, 1939) is an Israeli comedian, singer and actor. He is best known for being part of the Israeli comedy group, HaGashash HaHiver (The Pale Tracker). Recipient of the Israel Prize for the year 2000.[1] He is part of the famous Banai family of Israeli artists.[2]
Banai is a member of the famous Banai family, born and raised in the Mahane Yehuda neighborhood in Jerusalem. He took his first steps in the entertainment world with the Nahal entertainment troupe.[3] Among others, he was there with Israel (Poli) Poliakov.[4]
After completing his military service, In 1961, he joined along with Shaike Levi and Poli to the original singing band Hatarnegolim (The Roosters) that had been founded by Naomi Polani, the original cast of which broke up in 1964.[5] [6] [7] [8] The band's manager Avraham Desha (Pashnel), recognized the talent of the three and established with them the "Pale Tracker" troupe (HaGashash HaHiver), which is considered a great success. Together with Banai, Poli and Shaike presented ten entertainment shows over about forty years.[9]
Banai participated with them in many films, including: "Giv'at Halfon Eina Ona" (1976), "Schlager" (1979), and "The Battle for the Committee" (1986).
After the band split up, Banai put on a solo show and co-hosted alongside Israel Aharoni the TV series "The Way of Food". Following this collaboration, in the second decade of the 21st century, the two serve as presenters for the "Fairy" brand. In addition, he starred in the musicals: "The Sound of Music" (2005) and "Ofra" at the North Theater (2009).
Banai published an album book called "So What Did We Have There" (published by Modan),[10] containing "Very provincial sentences from the Pale Tracker's skits" .[11]
Since 2015, Gavri Bnay has been putting on the show "Elu Hem Banai" (These are the Banais) with his sons Uri and Boaz.[12]
In 2021 he starred in the second season of the comedy series "Photographed" starring the "What's It Got to Do With" trio. That same year he participated in the show "The Chase". In 2023 he participated in the film "The Easter Island Giants" directed by Dover Kosashvili.