Theodore Bikel was born in Vienna in 1924 and became an American citizen in 1961. An internationally renown actor and musician, he has performed in Broadway plays and musicals, on television, and in film and has given concerts around the world, including performances for festivals of Jewish culture and music. Bikel is an activist for Jewish causes and has worked for the preservation of the Yiddish language. He co-founded the Cameri Theater in Israel.