When you think of a stout man in a flat cap, shaking his fist at the heavens while debating the finer points of "Tradition," one specific face usually pops into your head. For most, it’s Chaim Topol. For others, it’s Zero Mostel. But the question of who played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof isn’t just about one guy; it’s a lineage of legendary actors who have stepped into the boots of the world's most famous Jewish milkman since 1964.
Honestly, it’s a heavy role. Literally. You’re hauling a cart, singing through a beard, and trying to balance the comedic timing of a vaudevillian with the soul-crushing grief of a father losing his culture.
The Man Who Started It All: Zero Mostel
Zero Mostel was a force of nature. If you weren’t there in 1964 at the Imperial Theatre, it’s hard to describe the sheer kinetic energy he brought to the stage. Mostel was huge, loud, and incredibly expressive. He didn't just play Tevye; he was the village of Anatevka.
Director Jerome Robbins and Mostel had a famously prickly relationship. Robbins was a perfectionist; Mostel was a loose cannon who loved to ad-lib. Yet, that tension birthed something brilliant. Mostel’s Tevye was earthy and bitingly funny. He won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and for several years, he was the only Tevye anyone cared about. He had this way of making the "dialogues with God" feel like a chat with a neighbor who owed him five bucks.
But here’s the kicker: Mostel wasn’t the one who took the role to the silver screen. That honor went to a younger, leaner actor from Israel.
Topol and the Global Takeover
If Mostel owned Broadway, Chaim Topol—known simply as Topol—owned the world. When Norman Jewison was casting the 1971 film adaptation, he bypassed Mostel. Why? He wanted someone more "rural," someone who felt like a gritty laborer rather than a Broadway star.
Topol had been playing the role in London’s West End. He was only in his 30s at the time, but through the magic of heavy makeup and a deep, resonant voice, he convinced the world he was an aging father of five daughters. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe.
Think about the longevity here. Topol played Tevye more than 3,500 times over five decades. He was still doing the "If I Were a Rich Man" shimmy well into his 70s. For a huge portion of the population, if you ask who played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, his name is the only answer. He brought a certain dignity and ruggedness to the part that grounded the musical's more whimsical elements.
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The Broadway Successors You Might Have Missed
After Mostel left the original production, the producers had a massive problem. How do you replace a mountain? They turned to Herschel Bernardi.
Bernardi wasn't just a replacement; he became a definitive Tevye in his own right, often cited by purists as having the most "authentic" feel. He played the role for years and even returned for the 1981 revival.
Then there was Theodore Bikel. If you're a folk music fan, you know Bikel. He played Tevye over 2,000 times. His version was steeped in Jewish folklore and a deep understanding of Yiddishkeit. He didn't just sing the notes; he sang the history.
The Modern Era: Alfred Molina and Harvey Fierstein
Fast forward to the 2004 Broadway revival. This is where things got controversial.
Alfred Molina took the lead. Molina is a chameleon—you might know him as Doc Ock in Spider-Man—and his Tevye was more internalized, less "showy" than his predecessors. Some loved the subtlety. Others missed the booming theatrics.
But the real shocker came when Harvey Fierstein stepped in to replace Molina. People lost their minds. Fierstein, with his signature gravel-pit voice and distinct persona, was a massive departure. Critics were skeptical. Could the guy from Hairspray and Torch Song Trilogy play a 1905 Russian milkman?
Surprisingly? It worked. Fierstein brought a maternal, deeply affectionate warmth to the character that made the relationship with the daughters feel incredibly raw.
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Danny Burstein: The Gentle Tevye
In 2015, Bartlett Sher directed a new revival starring Danny Burstein. This version felt different. It was leaner, more focused on the refugee experience—a theme that, sadly, never goes out of style. Burstein’s Tevye wasn't a caricature. He was a man trying to keep his head above water while the world literally shifted beneath his feet. He snagged a Tony nomination, proving that the role still had room for new interpretations even 50 years later.
Why Does It Matter Who Plays Him?
Tevye is one of those rare roles, like Hamlet or Willy Loman, that changes depending on who’s standing in the spotlight.
When a comedic actor plays him, the show is a riot. When a dramatic actor takes over, the ending—the forced exodus from their home—is devastating. The actor playing Tevye determines the temperature of the entire show.
There’s also the international flavor. In Japan, the show was a massive hit. In Israel, it’s practically a national anthem. In those productions, actors like Katsumi Shiitaka or Shmuel Rodensky became the "definitive" versions for their respective audiences.
A Few Names You Might Not Expect
- Leonard Nimoy: Yes, Spock himself played Tevye in various regional productions.
- Brian Blessed: The man with the loudest voice in the UK took a crack at it.
- Robert Merrill: The opera star brought a massive baritone to the role.
What to Look for in a Great Tevye
If you’re watching a production today—whether it’s a touring company or a high school play—the actor has to nail three things:
- The "Talks to God": They can’t be rehearsed. They have to feel like a man genuinely annoyed with the Creator.
- The "On the Other Hand": This is Tevye’s internal struggle. The actor has to show the audience the moment his heart breaks when his traditions finally snap.
- The Chemistry with Golde: If the actor playing Tevye doesn't have a believable "bickering but loving" relationship with his wife, the show falls flat.
Practical Ways to Experience These Performances Today
You can't go back in time to see Mostel, but you can get pretty close.
Watch the 1971 Film: It’s the gold standard. Topol is at his peak here. The cinematography captures the isolation of the village in a way the stage can't.
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Listen to the Original Cast Recording: This is where you hear the raw power of Zero Mostel. Listen to "If I Were a Rich Man" and notice the growls, the chirps, and the insane vocal range he uses.
Check out the 2015 Cast Album: If you want to hear a more modern, nuanced take, Danny Burstein’s recording is stellar. It’s cleaner, more emotional, and less focused on the "bits."
Find the Documentary: Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles is a fantastic deep dive into how the show was made. It features interviews with many of the men who wore the cap and explains why the show resonates across cultures that have nothing to do with Judaism.
The legacy of who played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof continues to grow. From the Yiddish-language revival off-Broadway featuring Steven Skybell (which was hauntingly good) to local community theaters, the character remains a vessel for exploring fatherhood, faith, and the terrifying reality of change.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of musical theater, start by comparing the "Do You Love Me?" scene between Topol and Mostel. It’s a masterclass in how two different men can find the exact same truth using completely different tools.
Next time you hear those opening fiddle notes, remember that you aren't just watching a play. You're watching a lineage of actors who have all, in their own way, tried to answer Tevye's impossible questions.
Next Steps for the Theater Fan:
- Compare Performances: Search YouTube for "Zero Mostel Tony Awards 1964" and "Topol If I Were a Rich Man" to see the stylistic gulf between the two masters.
- Explore the Yiddish Version: Look up the "Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish" cast recording. It changes the entire texture of the show and brings it back to its Sholem Aleichem roots.
- Read the Source Material: Pick up Tevye the Dairyman by Sholem Aleichem. The original stories are darker and even more complex than the musical.