Hollywood turns away from Israeli stars, says Lucifer actress Inbar Lavi
Fauda and Prison Break star says anti-Israel climate has cost her roles and public appearances
One of the most prominent Israeli actresses in Hollywood, Inbar Lavi, has claimed that the current anti-Israeli climate in Hollywood is affecting Israeli actors, making them less likely to be cast in leading roles.
Lavi, known for her central roles in TV shows such as Lucifer, Imposters, Fauda and Prison Break, told the Hebrew-language podcast Tom Baum’s Playroom that, because of “the war and the situation”, American producers are avoiding casting Israeli actors.
“Call it whatever you like, but it’s not ‘cool’ now to cast people from the ‘region’ to main roles,” she said. “The other side of the ‘region’ receives a lot of love, much more love,” she added.
Lavi explained that Hollywood productions perceive threats of boycotts as a risk not worth taking. “It is not ‘cool’ right now. Our ‘stocks’ [as Israeli actors] are not skyrocketing. It will change, as it changed before. When I first arrived [in Hollywood], our ‘stock’ was low, and then it went up. When Gal Gadot was at her peak, it was ‘hot’ to be Israeli,” she said.
“Fauda also opened a lot of doors for Israeli creators. But for now, it is not ‘sexy’, and sex sells. It’s not personal; it’s business. That’s a bummer.”
Since 7 October, Lavi has lost opportunities and roles, including some she had already been cast in. Her invitations to attend Lucifer fan conventions with the rest of the cast in Europe were cancelled due to death threats, fears of terror attacks, and the organisers’ inability to fund substantial security.
The host of the podcast asked whether the presence of Jews in prominent roles in the film industry changes anything for Israeli actors, to which Lavi replied, “It doesn’t matter; it is a business, show business. The Jewish person up there also has to make money, or they will be fired. They need the film to be successful or the audiences to press on Netflix and watch the show.”
“All you can do is keep trying and creating, and in the end, it will change. It won’t be like this forever.”
Lavi, who has worked in the US as an actress for over 20 years, has been outspoken since 7 October and has appeared on red carpets wearing a yellow ribbon pin to raise awareness of the hostages.
“I feel at home only in Israel, and I’ve lived in many places. 7 October made me realise why and to what extent I am connected. Home, for me, is more than a place; it’s the people. My mother, my siblings — they are my home,” she said.
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