Two weeks after being harassed: Israel's beloved actor celebrates his 75th birthday

Moni Moshonov celebrates his 75th birthday today, August 18. The actor, comedian, director, screenwriter, and television host, who was born Shlomo Moshonov, received an emotional greeting from his son, actor and musician Michael Moshonov.

"Today, 75 years ago, my father, Shlomo Moni Moshonov, was born," wrote Michael Moshonov. "Happy birthday and a happy 75th birthday! You are a cloud of sanity, humor, and infinite talent, but first and foremost, you are the best and most special father and grandfather there is."

Moni Moshonov and Sandra Sade (Photo: Or Gefen, PR)

He further wished him: "I wish you health, joy, satisfaction, and a continuation of inner burning, enjoyment, and fire in creation. Love you to the sky!"

The Beit Ariela library also greeted Moshonov on his birthday, writing: "The cute Moni Moshonov is celebrating his 75th birthday today! May he continue to make us laugh until at least 120!"

Moshonov was born and raised in Ramle to a family of Bulgarian descent. He was born in a one-room apartment in an immigrant hostel and was the first Sabra in his family. Already at the age of 4, he used to imitate Charlie Chaplin in kindergarten, and at 16, he played his first play in the drama club in Ramle.

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He began his professional career in military bands, and after his military service, he studied at the Department of Theater Arts at Tel Aviv University. After a year of study, he joined Nola Chilton's project at the Haifa Theater, where he met, among others, actress Sandra Sade, who became his wife, and Shlomo Baraba, his stage partner for years.

At the age of 27, in 1978, Moshonov, alongside Baraba, was chosen to host the youth program "Zehu Ze!". The program later became one of the most recognizable humor and satire programs in Israel, and Moshonov is the only one who appeared in it throughout all its 21 seasons. Since 2020, he has also been appearing in the renewed version of the program on Kan 11.

Throughout his career, Moshonov participated in a long list of productions in theater, television, and cinema. Among others, he played in "Masa Alunkot" ("Stretcher March"), "Late Marriage", "Kabelim" ("Cables"), "Ktzarim" ("Shorts"), "HaYehudim Ba'im" ("The Jews Are Coming"), and in the film "A Tale of Love and Darkness". For his acting in "Late Marriage", he won an Ophir Award.

In recent years, Moshonov has also won a series of honorary awards. In 2021, the "Zehu Ze!" quintet won an AMI Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2023 he received, together with the ensemble members, an honorary doctorate from Bar-Ilan University, and in 2025 he himself won an AMI Lifetime Achievement Award. In the same year, he received, alongside Shlomo Baraba, a lifetime achievement award from the Haifa Film Festival.

The birthday comes about two and a half weeks after the event that caused a stir online, when right-wing activist Eliran Siman-Tov posted a video on Facebook in which he confronts Moshonov and asks him questions regarding his age. Moshonov asked him to leave him alone, and later clarified that he did not feel comfortable with his behavior.

In an interview with Channel 12 News, Moshonov addressed the event and said:

"It causes some shaking. I didn't think at all about what I was doing and how I was doing it, but I understood that I had to remain in my image."

His wife, Sandra Sade, said in the same interview: "It didn't reach a state of panic, it was insulting."