Michael Mark Aloni (or Alony; ; born 31 January 1984) is an Israeli actor, director, writer and television presenter. Regarded as one of the best performers of his generation in Israel, he is recognized for his versatile work across independent films, television and the stage.
A graduate of Nissan Nativ Action Studio, he had a breakout role on the hit teen TV drama, HaShminiya (2005–2007). He also appeared in the films, Policeman (2011) and Out in the Dark (2012). He became known to international audiences when Netflix picked up international streaming rights for the critically acclaimed TV series, Shtisel (2013–2021). Aloni portrayed the protagonist, Akiva Shtisel, a Haredi man in the Geula neighborhood in Jerusalem.
He also appeared in other prominent TV productions such as When Heroes Fly (2018), Our Boys (2019), and Scenes from a Marriage (2021). Most recently, he has had a leading role in The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (2021–2023) and a supporting role in the Holocaust family drama series, We Were The Lucky Ones (2024) on Hulu.
Early life Aloni was born in Tel Aviv to secular Jewish parents; his mother was originally from Poland. He had a Bar Mitzvah at age 13. His mother is an attorney and his father is an accountant. During his military service in the Israel Defense Forces, he served as a Gadna commander in the Marva training program of the Education Corps.
He studied acting at the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio between 2006 and 2009. He also appeared in a number of advertising campaigns as a male model.
Career Film and television Aloni had a breakout role as Adam Halevi for three seasons on the hit teen drama, HaShminiya (2005–2007).Shtisel star Michael Aloni says he's ready to become a father Ynetnews. 2 October 2023 He became a household name in Israel during his time on the show. He has since described this as his favorite role: "There's something primal about your first role that stays with you."
In 2012, he starred in the critically acclaimed LGBT film, Out in the Dark. He portrayed Roy, an Israeli Jewish lawyer in Tel Aviv who begins a relationship with a Palestinian man from the West Bank.'Out in the Dark' director brings Palestinian-Israeli affair to light, Los Angeles Times. 26 September 2013 The American film critic Rex Reed praised the film in The New York Observer: "It's one of the most powerful films about the Arab-Israeli conflict that has ever been attempted on the screen."Forbidden Freedom: Out In the Dark Is a Wrenching Tale of Love in the Middle East The New York Observer. 2 October 2013 Reed commended Aloni's "outstanding" performance.
In 2013, he was cast as Akiva Shtisel, a young Haredi man, in the yes family drama series, Shtisel (2013–2021).Netflix's ‘Shtisel’ Is Binge-Worthy TV on a Strict Form of Judaism The New York Times. 21 February 2019 Already a hit show in Israel, it also became popular with international audiences when Netflix began streaming the series in 2018. He spent three months preparing for the role: “I spent Shabbos with a Haredi family, and we needed to learn Yiddish and a different kind of Hebrew, loshen hakodesh, from the one we speak day-to-day. We learned prayers and the rules of Jewish law. We had to learn everything from scratch. I loved it.”
He also starred in the Keshet series, When Heroes Fly (2017), alongside Tomer Capone. In April 2018, it won the best series at Canneseries.Keshet's Israeli Drama ‘When Heroes Fly’ Wins Best Series At Canneseries – Full Competition Winners Revealed Deadline. 11 April 2018
In 2021, he appeared alongside Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac in the HBO miniseries, Scenes from a Marriage. It is an English-language remake of the 1973 Swedish miniseries of the same name by Ingmar Bergman.Michael Aloni Acts in English in HBO's Super Jewish ‘Scenes From a Marriage’ Kveller. 11 October 202118 Things to Know About Jewish Actor Michael Aloni Hey Alma. 29 March 2024
He was cast as Gabriel Ermosa in The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (2021–2023). The series is set during Ottoman rule and subsequently under the British Mandate for Palestine. Aloni played the son of a prosperous merchant Sephardi family. He fell in love with an Ashkenazi woman, but is pressured by his family into marrying a Sephardi woman.‘The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ Is Coming to Netflix. Read the Book First. Hey Alma. 18 May 2022
In 2024, he appeared in the Hulu limited series, We Were the Lucky Ones, based on a book of the same name by Georgia Hunter. It tells the true life story of the Kurc family in Poland who survived the Holocaust. Aloni plays Selim, a doctor and the husband of Mila (Hadas Yaron).A Guide to the Characters of Hulu's ‘We Were the Lucky Ones’ Kveller. 28 March 2024 Aloni previously played Yaron's on-screen husband when the pair portrayed the roles of Akiva and Libbi Shtisel in Shtisel.‘Shtisel’ Actress, Hadas Yaron Opens Up About Her Character New York Jewish Week. 11 June 2019
He also starred in One Day in October, an anthology drama television series based on the personal stories from the October 7 attacks in 2023. The series premiered on Israel's Yes Drama in Israel on October 7, 2024. It will be released on October 7, 2025 in the United States through HBO Max.Shanfeld, Ethan (15 September 2025). HBO Max Acquires ‘One Day in October’ Series, Based on Real-Life Accounts of Oct. 7 Attack on Israel Variety. Retrieved on 26 September 2025
In 2025, he starred in the Buenos Aires-set series, AMIA on Channel 13, based on the AMIA bombing in 1994.(26 June 2023). Terrorist drama Amia in production for Israel’s Reshet 13 in Uruguay, Argentina c21media.net. Retrieved on 26 September 2025
Stage In 2014, Aloni starred in Edna Mazia's comic satire, The New Criminals at Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv. Aloni plays Ilai, the grown-up son of the family and an aspiring musician.Cameri Theatre: The New Criminals Midnight East. 30 September 2014
In 2018, Aloni starred in Martin Sherman's play, Bent at Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv. The play explores the persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust."Bent" Habima Theatre. Retrieved on 30 August 2024קברט האימים של ה"עקומים": חוויה מטלטלת שחשוב לעבור Mako. 12 April 2018
In 2024, Aloni took on the role of Zaza (previously occupied by Lior Ashkenazi) in a stage adaptation of Dover Kosashvili 2021 film, Late Marriage at Habima Theatre.Late Marriage Habima Theatre. Retrieved on 30 August 2024
In 2024, from September to October, Aloni starred in David Edgar's play Here in America at the Orange Tree Theatre in London. Aloni was directed by James Dacre in the 1950s set play that imagines a confrontation between Arthur Miller (Aloni) and Elia Kazan.Photos: HERE IN AMERICA is Now in Rehearsals at Orange Tree Theatre Broadway World. 28 August 2024 Aloni was praised by The Guardian'''s theatre critic: "Aloni, making his UK stage debut, is strong as the upstanding art."Here in America review – Miller and Kazan test the bonds of friendship in McCarthy-era witch-hunt drama The Guardian. 26 September 2024
Additional work As a television presenter, he hosted five seasons of the singing competition, The Voice Israel on Channel 2 (2012–2017) and Channel 13 (2018–2019).11 Things You Need to Know About ‘Shtisel’ Star Michael Aloni Kveller. 22 March 2019
In 2017, his debut novel, Love in the Days of Flu, was published by Steimatzky. It consists of four novellas and two short stories. Aloni wrote one of the stories when he was 16 years old."אהבה בימי שפעת": הכירו את מיכאל גרסיה אלוני Haaretz. 9 February 2017"חיכיתי לשוט המצליף, ידעתי שאמשוך אש": מיכאל אלוני עונה למבקרים Maariv. 23 April 2017
In 2017, he also directed a short film, Shir (Song''), about a teenage girl that skips school on Israel's memorial day, Yom HaZikaron.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes2005–2007 HaShminiya Adam Halevi Series regular2006 Out of Sight Tomer the Lifeguard Original title: Lemarit AinHa-Alufa Eddy Franco 2 episodes 2009 Ruin Ben 2010 Infiltration Benny Original title: Hitganvut Yehidim 2011Policeman Nathanael Original title: Ha-shoter2012 Keshet Beanan Short Out in the Dark Roy Schaffer 2013 A Place in Heaven Frenchie Original title: Makom beGan Eden 2013–2016, 2020 Shtisel Akiva Shtisel Series regular2014 Keep it Cool Uri Short Shovrei Galim Noam 2 episodes2016 Antenna Lucid Short2017 Naor's Friends Raz Hita Episode #4.10 Metim LeRega Lev Alexander Episode #2.1 And Then She Arrived Dan Original title: VeAz Hi Hegiaa2018 Virgins Tchipi Nomination - Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actor When Heroes Fly Dotan 'Himler' Friedman Series regular 2019 Happy Times Michael 2019Our BoysItzik 2019–2020 Greenhouse Academy The Client/Jason Osmond (alter ego version) Seasons 3 & 42021 Scenes from a Marriage Poli Episode: "In the Middle of the Night, in a Dark House, Somewhere in the World"Plan AMichael2021-2022The Beauty Queen of JerusalemGabriel2023The StrongholdDr. Nahum WerbinThe StrongholdDr. Nahum Webin5-episode expanded TV series of original film 2024Plan AMichael2025AMIADiegoSeries One Day in October Ariel Golan-Hogeg Episode: "Home" 2027Save the DateSeason 2; main cast
Stage YearTitleRoleVenue2014The New CriminalsIlaiCameri Theatre2018Bent MaxHabima Theatre2024Late Marriage ZazaHabima Theatre2024Here in America Arthur MillerOrange Tree Theatre
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