Top 15 Interesting Facts about Lior Raz

Top 15 Interesting Facts about Lior Raz

*Originally published by Julius R on June 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R on 2023

Lior Raz on February 7, 2018. Photo Credit: Mark Neyman. WIKIMEDIA

Lior Raz is an Israeli by nationality who was born on the 24th of November 1971 in Ma’ale Adumin, Westbank, Israeli. He grew up in Jerusalem whereby later his parents immigrated to  Israel from Iraq and Algeria.

His father served in Israeli in Shayetet 13 and shin Bet before later running a plant nursery. His mother is a teacher.

His native language is Hebrew although he can speak Arabic through the influence of his father’s worker’s children. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about him;

1. Lior Raz Graduated from High School at 18

He graduated from secondary school at 18 years. He learned acting at Nissan Nativ Drama School in Israel. 

he enrolled in Israel Defence Forces where later he became a Commando. After he was discharged, he relocated to the United States. According to an article from Hey Alma, Lior shared that he suffered from PTSD from his time in the army.

2. Lior Raz is Married to Meital Berdah

He is married to Meital Berdah they are blessed with 4  children. They reside in Ramat Aviv, Israel.

He is a family man and spends most of his free time with his wife and kids. His first girlfriend was brutally murdered when he was 19 years old. 

He has since praised her saying “she was my first love.” “She was one of the most beautiful women in Jerusalem, an amazing person. I’d been so insecure.”

“I couldn’t believe she’d date me. All my self-confidence in life came from her.”

3. Lior Raz’s started his Acting Career when he was 24

Animated gathering with Michael Oren (former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.), David Hatchwell, Mario Noya (Editor of El Medio), Nico Kogan, Lior Raz (Israeli actor and writer) and Lucy Aharish (Israeli TV news anchor). WIKIMEDIA

Lior Raz returned to Israel when he was 24 years when he joined a Drama school, Nissan Nativ in Tel Aviv. When he started acting, he was involved in many plays like; Don Juan at Gesher Theatre Macbeth and the Teenagers.

He also played small roles in Israeli tv series. In 2004, he played a police investigator in Michaela and referee Ben Shabat in Adumot. He did his first feature film in 2005, Gotta Be Happy. In 2008, he appeared in a Television Drama, Srugin as Yisraeli.

A year later he appeared in comedy-drama Mesudarim as a Shin bet agent and a Maor in Noah’s Ark.

4. He has Starred in Several Films

Lior Raz has starred in several movies as an actor. In 2000, he was featured in Delta Force 1,  The Lost Patrol. He played a role as Cave Guard.

In 2005, he has featured in Muchrachim Leiyot Same’ach in his role as Shim. He has also starred in several other movies including The Kindergarten teacher, operation finale, and Hollywood salutes Israel. 

He has also starred in 6 underground and Dena Gildens Life. 

5. He is also a Public Speaker who Loves Inspiring Others

Lior Raz is also a public speaker who loves inspiring others. According to his website, his speeches consist of his transition from combatant to the creator, and from dream to reality.

He shares his experiences on sacrifice, hate, relationships, conflicts, pain, fear, devotion, morale, and friendship. He also shares his experience in walking a tightrope between life and death. 

Joint work between Jews and Arabs, and the impact of the TV series on Arab Israelis and Jews.

6. He Speaks Three Different Languages

Born in Ma’ale Adumim, West Bank, Israel Lior Ras is conversant with three different languages. Hebrew is Lior’s first language, but he also grew up speaking Arabic due to his father.

Lior speaks the English language and has starred in different movies speaking very fluent English. He is an Israeli citizen having been born there.

He loves riding his motorcycle whenever he can. He’s shared several photos of himself with his bike on Instagram and his followers seem to love seeing that side of him.

7. He Created Netflix’s Hit and Run TV Series and the Fauda

Most people are aware of the fact that Lior is one of the stars of Hit & Run. However, some people may not realize that he is actually the person who created the show and he also did the screenwriting.

Lior also created a TV series called Fauda which aired from 2015 to 2020. He spends a lot of time outdoors doing things like hiking and hanging out by the water and has lots of appreciation for the beauty of nature.

He also likes travelling. He’s visited several countries including Dubai and Italy.

8. He was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Bodyguard

R20 Founder Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the R20 AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT 2017 in Vienna. WIKIMEDIA

In 1993, after his military service, Raz moved to the United States. He was hired by a security contracting firm as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodyguard.

In an interview with Israel Hayom, he said: “the company turned to me since they knew my military background.” “For me it was the most glamorous thing, to be the watchdog of Schwarzenegger and his wife”. 

He guarded Hollywood actor Schwarzenegger for some time before he got into his career as an actor. 

9. The Man who Stabbed his First Girlfriend was Released in 2011

His girlfriend Iris Azulai was stabbed in October 1990, by a Palestinian Arab. She was stabbed to death with a 15-inch knife in Jerusalem.

The man who stabbed her was later released from prison in 2011. Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange in which 1,027 prisoners were released.

They were released to obtain the release from captivity of the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He had been held prisoner by Hamas for five years.

10. His Shows have Won Several Awards 

In 2016, the show won six awards, including Best Drama Series, at the Israeli Academy Awards. In December 2017, The New York Times voted Fauda the best international show of 2017.

In 2018, the show won 11 Israeli TV Academy Awards. They include best TV drama, best actor for Raz, and best screenplay, casting, cinematography, recording, and special effects. 

11. He played the character of Peter in the movie Mary Magdalene

In the 2017 film “Mary Magdalene,” Lior Raz made his international acting debut as Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles.  Garth Davis-directed movie looked at Mary Magdalene’s life and encounters with Jesus Christ. Raz’s portrayal of Peter gave the character more depth as he managed to convey the apostle’s loyalty, doubts, and emotional journey. He is clearly talented because he managed to switch from his role in “Fauda” to a biblical story. 

12. Lior Raz made an appearance in the American action thriller film “Operation Finale”

In the 2018 action-thriller movie “Operation Finale,” Lior Raz had an appearance. He played Isser Harel, the first head of the Israeli spy service Mossad, in the movie. Adolf Eichmann, a senior Nazi leader who was hiding in Argentina after World War Two, is the subject of the true-life tale “Operation Finale.” The movie gained popularity thanks to Raz’s portrayal of Isser Harel, who perfectly captured the Mossad director’s toughness.

13. He has a background in martial arts

Krav Maga is a self-defence method created for the Israel Defense Forces, and Lior Raz has experience in martial arts, precisely this kind (IDF). In real-world settings, Krav Maga is renowned for its effective and practical tactics. Raz has developed his physical endurance, self-defence abilities, and grasp of fighting methods through his Krav Maga training.

14. He served as an undercover soldier in the Israel Defense Forces

An undercover soldier in the Israel Defense Forces is Lior Raz’s remarkable prior experience (IDF). It took mindset, daring, and flexibility to perform in such a position. Raz undoubtedly participated in covert operations as an undercover soldier, sneaking into dangerous areas to obtain information and complete objectives.

Because of this, he had a firsthand understanding of the difficulties and constraints that soldiers encounter in dangerous circumstances. 

15. Raz has been a vocal supporter of peace between Israelis and Palestinians

Mark Neyman / Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Raz has been a huge advocate of Israeli-Palestinian peace, using his platform to oppose the occupation of the West Bank and to promote communication and understanding between the two sides. He has taken part in several peace initiatives and has even visited with Palestinian officials in an effort to foster collaboration and healing. In the eyes of people who share his hope for a brighter future for the region, Raz is a loved person because of his commitment to this cause.

His net worth is around $ 5 million, mostly from his career as an actor and TV personality.  Lior Raz is also listed on the elite list of Richest TV Actors born on November 24.

He is best known for portraying Doron Kabilio in the political thriller television series Fauda. He has a special tattoo on his body that reminds him of Iris’s birthday date.