Ran Danker (; born Khalil Yosef Danker on January 7, 1984) is an Israeli–American actor, singer and model. He starred in hit Israeli series such as HaShir Shelanu (2004–2007), The Gordin Cell (2012–2015), Miguel (2018) and more. Danker received an Ophir Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Eyes Wide Open (2009). Danker was also nominated for an Ophir Award for Best Actor for his role in Doubtful (2017).
Early life Ran Danker was born in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, to a Jewish family. He is the son of Israeli actor Eli Danker. He moved to Israel with his mother when he was two years old after his parents' divorce. He grew up in the Bavli neighborhood in Tel Aviv and sang in the choir of the boy scouts. When he was in junior high school, the family moved to Poleg, Netanya. Between high school and his army service, Ran participated in a few TV commercials: a promo of Channel 10; a commercial of Bank Leumi; and the cell phone company Cellcom. As a teenager, Ran was a delivery boy for Domino's Pizza in Netanya. He was a helicopter technician during his military service in the Israel Defense Forces.
Career In addition to his acting and singing career, Danker has appeared as a fashion model in campaigns for Diadora.
Film and television In 2004, he landed a part of HaShir Shelanu (Our Song) that ran for four seasons. He was also in two children's shows, a musical production of The Sound of Music in Tel Aviv and later Haifa and the Festigal (an annual Hanukkah song festival) in 2004 and 2005. He has also appeared in the 2021 edition. In December 2005, Ran won the Gold Screen Award as the best actor, for his role in Our Song. In January 2006, he won the Kids Channel Award, for the same category. Danker also contributed his voice to the main character of Walt Disney's animated movie Chicken Little for Israel's Hebrew-dubbed version. Readers of the popular "Pnai Plus" TV digest awarded him actor of the year in 2006. In 2008, he began appearing as the titular character in the musical daily drama Danny Hollywood.US Fund Buys Danny Hollywood The Jerusalem Post. December 4, 2008
He plays, with the actor Zohar Strauss, the main role, as a gay lover, in the 2009 Israeli drama film Eyes Wide Open.the film "Eyes Wide Open" in IMDB Danker received an Ophir Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role. Between 2012 and 2015, he appeared in the TV drama Gordin Cell playing the main character, Eyal "Alik" Gordin. Haaretz praised the show as "among the world's best suspense shows". It was also remade in the United States as Allegiance (2015).Move Over, Homeland. Another Hit Israeli Spy Thriller Is Coming to U.S. Television Haaretz. January 12, 2015 In 2017, he received an Ophir Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Doubtful as a man that has to serve his community service by working with juvenile delinquents.
In 2018, Danker began appearing in Miguel, playing a gay man who is determined to fulfil his dream of adopting a child. The series received its world premiere at the first ever Canneseries festival. Miguel won the special performance prize for best ensemble cast at Canneseries.Canal Plus Acquires Israeli Adoption Drama 'Miguel' (EXCLUSIVE) Variety. July 25, 2018 In 2020, Danker stars in Honeymood, a new romantic comedy by Talya Lavie, director of Zero Motivation.Heroes in our midst The Jerusalem Post. December 25, 2018Honeymood Accessed on January 22, 2019WestEnd takes worldwide rights to Talya Lavie's 'Honeymood' (exclusive) Screendaily. 20 February 2020
In 2026, Danker was cast in the second season of Save the Date (Bekarov Etzli), a Channel 12 comedy-drama. Danker will play the role of a famous singer.(19 May 2026). Ran Danker returns to Keshet 12: This is the series in which he will star Ice. Retrieved on 26 September 2026.
Stage In The Sound of Music he played Rolf the Nazi postman who fell in love with Liesl, the oldest daughter of the von Trapp family. Ran performed in 40 shows until he left for Festigal 2005. In 2015, he played the German lawyer, Hans Litten in the Habima Theatre production of Taken at Midnight. Danker plays a lawyer who represented opponents of the Nazis at important political trials between 1929 and 1932, defending the rights of workers during the Weimar Republic.A Story About Nazis, Human Rights and Above All, One Courageous Mother Haaretz. July 22, 2015 In 2017, he returned to Habima Theatre to play Che in the Israeli production of the hit musical, Evita.Photo Coverage: Requiem EVITA – Final Curtain for Habima's Production Broadway World. March 7, 2017
In 2026, Danker was awarded a Rosenblum Prize for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Cabaret, a Cameri Theatre production.(7 September 2026) Danker wins prestigious award: "Once in a lifetime you get one" Ice. Retrieved on 26 September 2026
Music In 2007, Danker released his debut album, Shavim (Hebrew: , "equal"), with guitarist Ilai Botner. Danker released a new Hebrew-language album, "Something Different" in 2018.Ran Danker – not just another pretty face The Jerusalem Post. November 17, 2018
In March 2021, He released "Beit Meshugaim" (In Hebrew: ""), that stayed the most stream Spotify song in Israel for 3.5 months in a row. On top of that, it stayed at the top of the Galgalatz chart for 8 weeks in a row, breaking the record for the most weeks in first place. This was followed in October 2021 by "Hasimla hadasha sheli" (in Hebrew: meaning "My new dress") produced by DEGO.
On July 14, 2022, he performed the song "Lu Yehi" at Beit HaNassi, alongside the singer Yuval Dayan, in front of President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel.Joe Biden shook hands in Israel despite planning not to. Then a pop star left him hanging. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 14 July 2022
Personal life Danker was previously in a high-profile relationship with fellow HaShir Shelanu star, Ninet Tayeb.THE BREAK-UP THAT ROCKED ISRAEL Tablet. August 23, 2013 Israeli media labelled the pair "Raninet". Following the break up he was named the most eligible bachelor in 2007 by "Pnai Plus".Israel's most eligible bachelors, Ynetnews, Hagit Ginsburg, February 14, 2008 He also reportedly dated his other HaShir Shelanu co-star, Ania Bukstein as well as the supermodel, Bar Refaeli.Ran Danker Grazia. Retrieved January 22, 2019 Danker and Refaeli's mothers are close friends.רן דנקר, בקרוב הספר Makorrishon. September 25, 2009 Danker and Tayeb remain friendsNinet Tayeb reveals that she spent time with Ran Danker abroad Walla. April 15, 2018 and when asked in a 2019 Ynet interview about his former partner, Danker said that they will soon be in touch and will collaborate.Ran Danker: "I will be in touch with Ninet soon and we will collaborate" YouTube. April 16, 2019 The pair performed together in September 2019.Ran Danker and Ninet Tayeb performing together Instagram. September 13, 2019
In July 2015, Danker came out as bisexual. He also stated that he has been in a relationship with a man for three years. In an interview Danker said "I simply fell in love, what's more surprising to me than being in a relationship with a man is that I've been in any relationship for three years. Period". He continued to say that "sexuality is another way for the soul to define itself, it's complicated and combines many components. The total of people is the total of sexual possibilities. I'm attracted to both women and men. Why should we narrow ourselves into a definition? I don't want to define myself".
He is one of the most talked-about male stars in Israel.Ran and Yehuda: An unavoidable war, Raviv Golan, Ynetnews, July 2, 2006
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 2004–2007 HaShir Shelanu Zohar Lahat/ Rani Aviv Series regular2008 Restless Tzach Amos Kollek film 2008–2009 Danny Hollywood Daniel Berger Series regular 2009 Eyes Wide Open Ezri 2010 Rabies Michael 2012–2015 The Gordin Cell Eyal 'Alik' Gordin Series regular 2014 Underwater Nir Short film 2015 Amok Party guest/butcher 2017 Doubtful Assi 2018 Miguel Tom Series regular 2020 Honeymood Noam 2022 Wild Sea Leon Short film 2027 Save the Date (Bekarov Etzli) Series regular
Discography Albums Shavim (Hebrew: , meaning "Equal") (2007) (joint with Elai Butner) Something Different (Hebrew: ) (2018)
Soundtrack Our Song (Hebrew: ) - Double album
Singles "Shavim" (Hebrew: ) (2007) "Bo'i Nazov" (Hebrew: , meaning "Let's leave") (2007) "Ani Esh" (Hebrew: , meaning "I am fire") (2007) "Beit Meshugaim" (Hebrew: , meaning "Madhouse") (2021) "Hasimila Hadasha Shelly" (Hebrew: , meaning "My new dress") (2021)
References
External links