SAG-AFTRA and the City of Los Angeles Host Dedication Ceremony for Theodore Bikel Square

The intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and South Curson Avenue, within Los Angeles’ Mid-Wilshire District and adjacent to SAG-AFTRA Plaza, has now been dedicated in memory of Oscar-, Tony- and Grammy-nominated actor, singer-songwriter, activist and union leader Theodore Bikel.

In honor of what would have been the 100th year of Bikel’s life, the ceremony took place on Oct. 6 through the effort of SAG-AFTRA, the Office of Los Angeles Councilwoman 5th District Katy Yaroslavsky, the Theodore Bikel Legacy Project and the Actors Federal Credit Union.

Well-attended by friends, loved ones and fellow union leaders and public figures, the on-site dedication of the square was emceed by Bikel’s widow and director of the Theodore Bikel Legacy Project, Aimee Ginsburg-Bikel, who spoke of the site as a testament to Bikel as an activist and humanitarian.

“Theo already has a star on Hollywood Boulevard honoring his amazing career as a prolific actor and beloved recording artist,” said Ginsburg Bikel. “We want this square to be a place to commemorate Theo’s social justice work, and what he did to make this world a better place. When people pass by this square, we hope they remember his work on behalf of unions and for social justice.”

Councilwoman Yaroslavsky and L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson also gave remarks about the late performer's legacy and the dedication site’s positive impact on the city at large.

“One of the most remarkable things about Theodore Bikel was that he was a giant in so many ways,” said Yaroslavsky. “He was compassionate, effective and cared about other people, and he had multiple careers any one of us would’ve been thrilled to have. … It says a lot about him to have followed so many of his interests and passions and managed to do so much across many different landscapes. It is an honor to be here and to [celebrate] this man.”

Said Harrison-Dawson, “All social movements are driven by hearts and minds. Those of us who are activists and leaders are pretty good at [reaching] people’s minds, but it’s the cultural leaders that reach people’s hearts and create change. Nobody exemplifies that better than Theodore Bikel … Generations from now, young people are going to see this sign and know Los Angeles is a city that holds up its giants.”

Tina Calderon, Culture Bearer for the Gabrielino Tongva tribe, the original Indigenous people of Los Angeles, also made an appearance and blessed the land in the traditional way of her people.

The dedication event then moved indoors to SAG-AFTRA Plaza for remembrances and musical tributes.

“Theo’s talent, humanitarianism and labor service were nothing short of miraculous,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in a pre-recorded welcome. “May this piece of land remain a sanctuary of positivity and hope for all who encounter it. Most importantly, may it help immortalize Theo Bikel’s name for generations to come.”

“As we gather here to celebrate his legacy, we must recognize not only the man he was but also the struggles that shaped him and the values he held dear,” said L.A. County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler. “He embodied the principles of solidarity, justice, and cultural pride. He used his voice and his talent to fight for social justice, an actor, musician, and storyteller. Yes, and above all, a believer in the power of people uniting for a greater cause.”

SAG-AFTRA Board members Dan Navarro and Jenny O’Hara each provided personal reflections of Bikel. “I well recall, from an early age, being a huge fan of Mr. Bikel and his work in film and music,” said Navarro, “because he embodied five distinct but overlapping career tracks to which I aspired, and have been blessed to have attained: As an actor, folk singer, composer, musician, and unionist. I wanted to be like Theo.”

Musical performers included the H.B. Barnum Life Choir, singers Craig Taubman and Mike Stein and the L.A. Jewish Symphony, who performed “If I Were a Rich Man” Fiddler on the Roof (1964), Bikel’s most notable Broadway role.

A reception followed the event.

Born in Vienna on May 2, 1924, Bikel was a celebrated performer, recording artist and labor and civil rights activist. He was known on Broadway as the original Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music — the song Edelweiss was written especially for him — and Tevye in Fiddler, the latter role in which he starred for over 2,000 performances. His television career included credits for The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, Law & Order and Star Trek: The Next Generation and many other programs.

After first joining Actors Equity in 1954, he became a member of its council in 1962 and would serve as its first vice president and then, a decade later, as president from 1973–1982. Bikel went on to serve as president of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America in 1987 until his passing in 2015. He joined AFTRA in 1955 and SAG in 1957.

President Jimmy Carter appointed him to a five-year term on the National Council on the Arts in 1977. He was a vice president of The International Federation of Actors/ Fédération Internationale des Acteurs (FIA) from 1981-1991, a board member of Amnesty International, and senior vice president of the American Jewish Congress.