Haya Harareet, the Israeli actress who played Esther opposite Charlton Heston in the 1959 epic Ben-Hur, passed away on February 3, 2021, at the age of 89. She died of natural causes at her home in Buckinghamshire, UK, according to her niece
Early Life and Career
Harareet was born in Haifa, then Mandatory Palestine (now Israel), on September 20, 1931. Her parents were Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Poland. She received the surname Hararit, which means “mountainous” in Hebrew, at school
She began her career in Israeli films with Hill 24 Doesn’t Answer (1955), which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. She then starred in the Italian film The Doll that Took the Town (1957), before being cast in William Wyler’s big budget remake of Ben-Hur
She landed the role of Esther, the love interest of Judah Ben-Hur, after a 30-second silent screen test. She had previously met Wyler in Cannes when accompanying Hill 24 Doesn’t Answer
The blockbuster release of Ben-Hur catapulted Harareet into the limelight, and she would go on to star in The Interns (1962), her second and only other role in American cinema. She also appeared in the British films The Secret Partner (1961) and My Friend Jonathan (1974), as well as two more Italian films, The Last Charge (1962) and L’ultima Carica (1964)
Screenwriting and Personal Life
Harareet also co-wrote the screenplay for the British film Our Mother’s House (1967), based on the novel by Julian Gloag. She married the film’s director, Jack Clayton, in 1984. They were together until his death in 1995
Harareet lived a quiet and private life in Buckinghamshire, away from the spotlight. She was the last surviving cast member of Ben-Hur
Legacy and Tributes
Harareet is remembered as a talented and beautiful actress who made a lasting impression in one of the most iconic films of all time. She was praised for her sensitive and revealing portrayal of Esther, a former slave and the daughter of Simonides, the steward of the House of Hur
She was also a pioneer of Israeli cinema, and one of the first Israeli actresses to achieve international fame. She represented a welcome departure from the standard Hollywood ingenue, and brought a touch of authenticity and diversity to the screen
Many fans and admirers have expressed their condolences and appreciation for Harareet on social media and other platforms. She will be missed by many, but her legacy will live on through her films and her contributions to the art of cinema
