Ayelet Zurer (Hebrew: איילת זורר; born 28 June 1969) is an Israeli TV and film actress.[1] She began her career on the Israeli teen drama Inyan Shel Zman and has starred in numerous Israeli TV and film roles. She received awards for Best Actress at the Israeli Academy Awards in 2003 and Best Actress by the Israeli Academy of Television in 2006 and 2013.

Ayelet Zurer
איילת זורר
Zurer on the set of Nina's Tragedies in 2002
Born
Ayelet Zurer

(1969-06-28) 28 June 1969 (age 56)
Tel Aviv, Israel
OccupationActress
Years active1992–present
Spouse
Gilad Londovski
(m. 2003)
Children1

Zurer has also appeared in numerous Hollywood films, such as Munich (2005), Vantage Point (2008), Angels & Demons (2009), Man of Steel (2013), and Ben-Hur (2016). She also portrayed Vanessa Marianna-Fisk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Daredevil (2015–2018) and its revival series Daredevil: Born Again (2025–2026).

Personal life

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Ayelet Zurer was born to a Jewish family on 28 June 1969 and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel. Her mother was born in Czechoslovakia and survived the Holocaust by hiding in a convent, later immigrating to Israel in the 1950s.[2][3] Her Israeli-born father is of Russian Jewish descent.[4]

Zurer studied theater at the 14th Municipal High School and participated in the Tel Aviv Scouts band.[5] During her service in the Israel Defense Forces, she served in the military band of the Northern Command.[citation needed]

After finishing her military service, Zurer studied acting for three years at the Yoram Loewenstein Performing Arts Studio.[citation needed] She then moved to the United States and studied with George Morison at the Actor's Workshop in New York City.[citation needed] In 1991, she returned to Israel.[citation needed]

In 2003, Zurer married her surfing instructor, Gilad Londovski. The couple have a son and reside in Los Angeles.[6]

Acting career

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Zurer and Tom Hanks outside the Pantheon in Rome in the 2008 film Angels & Demons

1991–2000

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Zurer landed an early role as a series regular on the Israeli teen drama, Inyan Shel Zman (1992–1993).[7] In 1993, she also played Debbie in the Israeli comedy film Nikmato shel Itzik Finkelstein (Revenge of Itzik Finkelstein).[8] During, this time she also participated in the cable television show Yetziat Hirum.[7]

From 1997 to 2000, she had a regular role as Shira Steinberg in the Israeli television show Florentine.[6] Her character, Shira, shared the first-ever lesbian kiss on Israeli television with Ronit Elkabetz's character Nicole[9] in a 2000 episode.

In 1998, she played the lead in the film Ahava Asura (a.k.a. The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field).[10] She then appeared in the Israeli television series Zinzana in 2000.[7]

2001–2010

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In 2001, Zurer starred in the movies Laila Lelo Lola and Kikar Ha'Halomot (Desperado Square).[11] She appeared in the television series Shalva and Ha'Block in 2002.[7]

In 2003, she starred in Nina's Tragedies, portraying the title character, Nina,[12] a role for which she won an Israeli Academy Award for Best Actress.[citation needed] In 2005, she starred in the Israeli television series Betipul. She played Na'ama Lerner.[7] The series won her a Best Actress award from the Israeli Television Academy[13] and was remade as the HBO series In Treatment.[14] The following year, Zurer participated in an Israeli sketch comedy television show called Gomrot Holchot.[7]

In 2005, Zurer appeared in Steven Spielberg's Munich,[15] where she played Avner Kaufman's wife. In 2007, she starred in Fugitive Pieces.[16]

In 2008, Zurer appeared in the American thriller Vantage Point.[17] That same year, she was cast as scientist Vittoria Vetra, in The Da Vinci Code sequel Angels & Demons (2009).[18] Additionally, she played a nurse who falls in love with the title character in Adam Resurrected (2008).

2011–2020

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Zurer with Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline in 2012

In 2011, Zurer played the lead role in the film Hide Away[19] and the role of Superman's mother, Lara Lor-Van, in the reboot of the Superman franchise Man of Steel (2013).[20] In 2013, she starred in the Israeli series Shtisel, as Elisheva Rotstein.[21]

In 2015, Zurer starred in the Marvel series Daredevil as Vanessa Marianna-Fisk.[22][23] She appeared in the Hollywood film Ben-Hur (2016). In 2018, Zurer reprised her role in the third season of Daredevil.

In November 2020, Zurer was cast in a recurring role on the third season of the Netflix psychological thriller series You.[24]

2021–present

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In 2021, Zurer starred in the Israeli psychological thriller Losing Alice on Apple TV+.[25] In 2024, she starred as Dr. Amalia Levy alongside Amos Tamam in the Israeli drama series The Best Worst Thing on Keshet 12.[26]

In 2025, Zurer reprised the role of Vanessa Marianna-Fisk in Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again.[27][28]

Awards

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Zurer has received several awards throughout her career, including Best Actress at the Israeli Academy Awards for her role in Nina's Tragedies (2003) and Best Actress by the Israeli Academy of Television for her roles in BeTipul and Hostages in 2006 and 2013.

Filmography

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Film

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YearTitleRole Notes
1991Pour Sacha (a.k.a. For Sasha)ShoshanaFrench drama
1993Revenge of Itzik Finkelstein (a.k.a. Nikmato Shel Itzik Finkelstein)Debbie
1997Ahava Asura (Forbidden Love, a.k.a. The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field)Lea
2001Kikar Ha'Halomot (a.k.a. Desperado Square)Gila (the waitress)
2003Ish Ha'Hashmal (a.k.a. Rutenberg)Becki
Ha'Asonot Shel Nina (Nina's Tragedies)Nina
2004Mashehu Matok (Something Sweet)Tamar
2005MunichDaphna Kaufman
2007Fugitive PiecesMichaela
Rak Klavim Ratzim Hofshi (a.k.a. Wild Dogs)Telma
2008Vantage PointVeronica
Adam ResurrectedGina Grey
2009IngeniousGina
Angels & DemonsVittoria Vetra
2011Hide AwayThe Waitress
2012Darling CompanionCarmen
2013Man of SteelLara Lor-Van
2015Last Days in the DesertMother
Last KnightsNaomi
2016Ben-HurNaomi Ben-Hur
2017MiladaMilada HorákováAlso producer

Television

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YearTitleRole Notes
1992–1993Inyan Shel Zman (a.k.a. A Matter of Time)Noga CaspiMain cast; 27 episodes
1997–2000FlorentineShiraMain cast; 39 episodes
1999ZinzanaHanita Rozen 'Georgi'Episode: "Georgi"
2001Laila Lelo Lola (a.k.a. A Night Without Lola)OshritTV movie
2004MaktubMichal
2005BeTipul (a.k.a. In Therapy)Na'ama Lerner9 episodes
2012AwakeAlina AnanyevEpisode: "Nightswimming"
TouchRosemary MathisEpisode: "Closer"
Halo 4: Forward Unto DawnColonel Mehaffey5 episodes
2013ShtiselElisheva12 episodes
HostagesDr. Yael Danon10 episodes
2014RakeFiona RinaldiEpisode: "Bigamist"
2015–2018DaredevilVanessa Marianna-FiskMain cast; 11 episodes
2017TakenLeahEpisode 8: "Leah"
TransparentRonitEpisode: "I Never Promised You a Promised Land"
2019Money HeistRaquel Murillo2nd English dub
2019, 2022LegaciesSeylah2 episodes
2020Losing AliceAlice[29]Main cast; 8 episodes
2021YouDr. Chandra2 episodes
2022MoonhavenMaite VossMain cast; 6 episodes
Law & Order: Organized CrimeTia Leonetti2 episodes
2024The Best Worst ThingDr. Amalia LevyMain cast; 8 episodes
2025House of DavidAhinoamMain cast; 12 episodes
2025–2026Daredevil: Born AgainVanessa FiskMain cast; 14 episodes

Awards

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Year Group Award Result Film/Show
1997 Israeli Film Academy Awards Best Actress Nominated Ahava Asura
2000 Israeli Film Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated Kikar Ha'Halomot
2001 Israeli Film Academy Awards Best Actress Nominated Ish Ha'Hashmal
2003 Israeli Film Academy Awards Best Actress Won Ha'Asonot Shel Nina
Jerusalem Film Festival Best Actress Won Ha'Asonot Shel Nina
2006 Israeli Film Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated Rak Klavim Ratzim Hofshi
Israeli Television Academy Awards Best Actress Won Betipul
2013 Israeli Television Academy Awards Best Actress in a Drama Series Nominated Shtisel
Won Hostages

See also

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References

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  1. "Ayelet Zurer". IMDb. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  2. Abramowitz, Rachel (3 April 2009). "Ayelet Zurer is an antihero for 'Angels & Demons'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  3. Pfefferman, Naomi (29 April 2009). "Illuminating Ayelet Zurer". The Jewish Journal. Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  4. L'Chayim: Ayelet Zurer.
  5. ""הקריירה שלי התחילה בצופים"". mako. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Ayelet Zurer". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ayelet Zurer". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  8. "The Revenge of Itzik Finkelstein". Israel Film Archive - Jerusalem Cinematheque. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  9. Pioneers: 8 great shows from the nineties that changed the face of Israeli television Mako. 20 October 2017
  10. "The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field". jfi.org. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  11. "Desperate Square". Israel Film Archive - Jerusalem Cinematheque. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  12. "Nina's Tragedies". Israel Film Archive - Jerusalem Cinematheque. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  13. רימון, רן (13 September 2006). "טקס פרסי האקדמיה לקולנוע ולטלוויזיה - "בטיפול" היא הזוכה הגדולה". Globes. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  14. Clarke, Stewart (1 November 2019). "'In Treatment' the Top TV Drama Remake of the Past Decade, 'Skam' and 'Doctor Foster' Hot Prospects". Variety. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  15. Anderman, Nirit (27 September 2011). "Ayelet Zurer to play Superman's mom in new film". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  16. "Living with oblivion movie review (2008) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  17. Burstein, Nathan (19 February 2009). "Hollywood Story: Israeli Lands (Another) Big Role". The Forward. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  18. Sperling, Nicole (23 April 2008). "'Angels & Demons': Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer cast opposite Tom Hanks". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 26 April 2008.
  19. Israel21c Staff writers (24 December 2009). "New Hollywood film for Israeli actress". Israel21c. Archived from the original on 15 June 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. "Ayelet Zurer Cast as Superman's Mom in Man of Steel". Collider. 25 September 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  21. Margalit, Ruth (14 April 2019). "Seeing Inside the Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Community on the Netflix Series "Shtisel"". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  22. "Ayelet Zurer, Bob Gunton, Toby Leonard Moore & Vondie Curtis Hall Joins Marvel's Daredevil For Netflix". Marvel.com. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  23. Siegel, Lucas (11 October 2014). "NYCC 2014: Marvel's Daredevil on Netflix Panel Live! Rosario Dawson is Claire Temple, More". Newsarama. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  24. Petski, Denise (18 November 2020). "'You': Saffron Burrows Upped To Series Regular, Dylan Arnold, Tati Gabrielle Among 12 Cast In Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  25. Turchiano, Danielle (22 January 2021). "'Losing Alice' Star Ayelet Zurer on Playing a Director in a 'Passion Triangle'". Variety. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  26. ‘Shtisel’ Star Ayelet Zurer to Lead New Israeli Drama ‘The Best Worst Thing’ (EXCLUSIVE) Variety. 14 February 2024
  27. "Daredevil: Born Again". On Disney+. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  28. 'DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN' WILL REUNITE THE ORIGINAL CAST FOR TWO SEASONS ON DISNEY PLUS
  29. "Losing Alice". Jerusalem Film Festival. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
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