THEODORE BIKEL has often been described as a “General Practitioner in the World of Artistic Endeavors.”

Born in Vienna, he left his native Austria for Palestine at the age of thirteen (13).  Being fluent in Hebrew, Yiddish and German, he intended to teach comparative linguistics, until the theatre beckoned and in 1943 he joined the international famous Habimah Theatre.  He left a year later to help found the Israel Chamber Theatre.

In 1946 Theodore entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, for which he graduated with honors.  While working in several small theatre productions in London, he was seen by Sir Laurence Olivier who offered him a role in his production “A Streetcar Named Desire”, starring Vivian Leigh.  This was only the beginning; a prelude to something great.

His memorable stage portrayals include “Fiddler On The Roof”, “Zorba”, and “The Sound of Music”, in which he created the role of Baron von Trapp.

With 37 films to his credit including “My Fair Lady”, “The African Queen” and :The Enemy Below”, Theodore considers his role as the Southern Sheriff in “The Defiant Ones”, for which he received an Academy Award nomination, his most satisfying screen performance.

Bikel who starred in virtually every top dramatic show on television (Murder She Wrote, Falcon Crest and Dynasty just to name a few) in the United States as well as Canada and England, has repeatedly been nominated for “Emmy” awards and received an Emmy in 1988 for his portrayal of Harris Newmark, one of the early immigrant pioneers of the West.

For many years a recording artist for Elktra Records, Mr. Bikel is considered to be one of the worlds best-known folk singers and maintains an active concert schedule of over sixty performances throughout the country and abroad.