- Born
- Birth nameYuval David Cohen
- Height5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
- Biography - About Yuval David
"Artistic expression is vividly imaginative and ingenious when created and shared. The self-expression of the creative and genuine artist resonates with the collective consciousness. Art is a reflection of society. The artistic and creative representation of society is vital in the process of society moving forward, developing, and progressing."
"And, ultimately, art is a vehicle for social change."
"I focus on the narrative, the story I am telling. By embracing authentic truth, the boldness and vulnerability of the characters I play and the narratives I share all go hand-in-hand, in my creative journey of being a storyteller."
Yuval David describes this as he illustrates his own process.
Award-winning actor, host, and filmmaker Yuval David has become acclaimed for his work, including evocative and sometimes provocative performances on screen and stage. He won an Emmy Award and over 100 film festival awards.
As an actor, host, and filmmaker, he focuses on the art of storytelling through the perspective lenses of the characters involved in the stories he shares. He is captivated by the process and transports himself and his audiences along on the journey. Each role Yuval brings to life he treats as a creative exploration and a means of using art to represent communities, social issues, and even to affect social change. He aims to convey how characters and narratives as both unique and universal.
Yuval is known for his creative vision, perceptive approach, transcendent performances, and his seemingly effortless ability to make people laugh and cry in the same moment.
Yuval profoundly experiences, feels, and observes life. He then translates it into performances as an actor, filled with intriguing experimentation, imaginative expression, and genuine respect for the characters he represents.
Yuval has the courage to bring his personality and vulnerability to every role and uses that as a springboard to better develop his characters and dive deeply into them.
He has a vision and plan when he works as an actor, host, or director. Yet, he also has the flexibility to be affected by the moment, taking chances, and making impactful choices. He has the ability to immediately deliver, taking direction and seamlessly weaving it into his clever creativity. Persistence, tenacity, optimism, a good attitude, and love and passion for the craft of acting color his career. He enjoys the process, its challenges and always has solutions.
His profound dexterity to get to the soulfulness of each character's humanity has landed him major series regular and guest starring roles in television series and films.
Dedicated to the art, the craft, and career of being an actor, host, and director, Yuval has gained the respect of his peers for having optimistic fervor, being reliable and a joy to be around. Possessing the characteristics of leadership and teamwork, he is playfully collaborative, aiming to bring out the best in himself and others.
With versatility, Yuval David effortlessly oscillates between roles - changing personas, seamlessly shifting accents, and going from lovable lead to malicious miscreant - making him busy working in film, TV, theatre, and voice overs. Yuval has crisscrossed screens and roles, with his bold portrayals of characters on hit shows like "Madam Secretary" and "The Michael J. Fox Show" to "Days of Our Lives" and ABC's popular primetime series, "What Would You Do," as well as countless feature and short films, and web series.
His appearances not only entertain with heart and pathos but explore the mosaic human experience. No role is squandered as Yuval always uses his robust public platform to engage his audience. He invites them to take an active role in improving the world around them. He simultaneously empowers his audience and makes them feel deeply appreciated.
When he is not in front of a camera, or even behind it, he is brilliantly captivating audiences with daring theatrical performances On- and Off-Broadway, in theatres across the globe, and in theatre festivals.
His ability to speak multiple languages and do virtually all accents, has allowed him to extend his flexibility with the roles he takes on. As a voice actor, he regularly works on narration, animation, commercials, and promos.
Acting, for Yuval, is both a passion, a calling - and a massive vehicle for him to continuously move the needle on social good. He can be seen on HBO's TV mini-series, The Plot Against America, with Winona Ryder and John Turturro. And a few upcoming productions including on FX, Hulu, and Amazon.
His mission to entertain, uplift, and inspire, has led him to host, narrate, create, produce, and direct engaging and thought provoking content. His work is seen across YouTube and a myriad of social media channels. He currently produces almost a dozen web-series, short films, documentaries, and regularly performs his one-person shows in theatres.
The charming, captivating, witty and funny powerhouse of energy is frequently invited to emcee and speak on behalf of countless cultural, humanitarian, philanthropic, social and political initiatives and institutions. He has become a go-to host and narrator for short- and long-form video content and documentary features for Jewish, Israeli, LGBTQ, Arts, Cultural and Humanitarian Organizations and Initiatives, including The National LGBTQ Task Force, the Jewish National Fund (JNF USA), and Stand With Us.
As a social journalist and keynote speaker, sometimes this advocacy work takes on a more literal approach. He regularly travels across the United States and abroad, in recent years bringing him to the illustrious heights of Capitol Hill and to powerful major multinationals and nonprofit organizations. He often speaks about the significance of using art and creativity as a dynamic engine toward social good. Yuval empowers people to see themselves as advocates for their communities, uniting together to support their own communities and others, and seeing these efforts as equally important.
Yuval has a sensitivity and flair for inclusively interfacing with cast and crew, and equally with the audience and participants. He says, "I aim to create a safe space and a brave space, in which I can bring out the best in others and myself. This is a collaboration, unifying us all."
In addition to "Madam Secretary," "The Plot Against America," and "What Would You Do?" Yuval's on-screen credits also include "The Michael J Fox Show," "Unforgettable," and "Days of Our Lives;" leading and supporting roles in films such as "Incipient," "Beauty and the Beast," "Nephilim," "Awakening of Spring," "You," and "The Fifth Estate;" and lead roles in contemporary and classic theatrical works, including: Broadway in "The Game;" Off-Broadway in "Daddy Issues," "Bunburry," "Romeo and Juliet," and "In The Swing." As much as possible, Yuval enjoys performing in regional theatres across the United States and abroad. Yuval regularly does voice overs for animation, commercials, narration, documentaries, and industrials. As a TV host, Yuval specializes in human interest, environmental, travel, food, culinary, and lifestyle shows. He is the host of multiple shows on television and online.- IMDb Mini Biography By: PR - Stand With Us: Speaker, Narrator and Host of documentary videos and social media content. Speaker and Panelist.
- Jewish National Fund: Host & Director of Documentary Content, Keynote Speaker and MC, and workshop leader
- Israeli American Council: Speaker, MC of events and rallies
- World Jewish Congress: Content creator and host of social media videos, Judge of artistic and creative related events and programming
- Shoah Foundation: Speaker and panelist for events and initiatives. Member of the Creative Council, expanding the reach through new content creation incorporating testimonies filmed by The Shoah Foundation.
- Jewish Council for Public Affairs: Speaker and Event MC. Host of video content.
- Keren Kayemet: Speaker and panelist.
- Jewish Unpacked: Host and collaborative creator of social media videos.
- American Israel Cultural Foundation: Member, Performing Artist, and Speaker
- Chabad: Speaker and Panelist.
- The Jewish Learning Institute: Speaker and Panelist.
- Zikaron BaSalon: Keynote speaker, Advocacy Partner.
- JewBelong: Speaker. Member of Board of Directors.
- Israel on Campus Coalition: speaker, workshop leader.
- End Jew Hatred: Consultant for civil rights and social justice. Keynote speaker and workshop leader.
- The Aguda, the Israeli LGBTQ rights organization: speaker, panelist, and host of events, including advocating on joint initiatives.
- A Wider Bridge: Speaker, MC, and advocate for the organization, connecting Israeli and American LGBTQ communities. Member of the Leadership Council.
- Embassy of Israel to the United States: Keynote Speaker.
- Consulate General of Israel in New York: Speaker, Panelist, and MC for events and initiatives.
- National LGBTQ Task Force: Speaker and Workshop Leader at annual Creating Change Conference; Advocate and Speaker at numerous events, including advocating to elected officials about LGBTQ initiatives; National Leadership Council; Host and Director of Documentary Video Content.
- GLAAD: Partner for advocacy initiatives in press/media.
- Lambda Legal: Speaker and host
- Covenant House NY: Speaker at events for homeless youth.
- Rainbow Railroad: Organizational Ambassador, advocating on behalf of LGBTQ people in need of rescue.
- Freedom House: Advocate and actively aiding in helping LGBTQ people and other marginalized people escape persecution and human rights atrocities.
- The Giving Group Community: Founding Member. Philanthropy connected to Israel.
- Creative Community for Peace: member, signatory, entertainment and media activist.
- The Black Jewish Entertainment Alliance: member, signatory, entertainment industry activist.
- Guest speaker, panelist, and workshop leader for Jewish organizations.
Yuval David - Biography Actor, Host, Filmmaker, Advocate and Activist
Yuval David is a celebrated and Emmy Award winning actor, host, director, and filmmaker, who has won over 100 international film festival awards. His creative mantra "to entertain, uplift and inspire" shapes his approach to "storytelling with boldness, vulnerability, and authenticity in representing characters and narratives." Yuval uses his creative approach to communication within his work as a docu-journalist, news commentator, and socio-political activist.
As a filmmaker, Yuval directs, writes, and produces feature length and short films, documentaries, web-series as well as digital and episodic TV content. His most recent feature length documentary is getting industry and media buzz, and is currently in the film festival circuit, titled "Wonderfully Made - LGBTQ+R(eligion)," and is screening at international festivals and community impact screenings, having won Best Picture at Toronto LGBTQ Film Festival, Best Documentary at Phoenixville Film Festival, and was the featured highlight film at Woodstock Film Festival, Out On Film, and other international film festivals. Yuval's series, "One Actor Short" have become an award winner and festival favorite, earning more than 75 awards from national and international festivals, including American Picture, Atlanta Film Festival, The Big Apple Film Festival, Global Webisode Festival, NYC Independent Film Festival, New Filmmakers Film Festival, Hollywood Just4Shorts Film Competition, IndieFest, Prague International Film Festival, Top Shorts Film Festival, and Vegas CineFest International Film Festival.
Yuval's other narrative and documentary films and episodic series, including web-series, have also been awarded numerous awards, including Best Film, Best Short, Best Series, and for Yuval specifically as Best Director, Best Actor, Best Producer, and Best Writer in national and international film festivals.
As an actor, Yuval plays leading roles in film, television, theatre, web and digital media, as well as voice overs. His acting roles include leading and guest star roles on FX, NBC, ABC, CBS, Showtime, Disney, DreamWorks, Comedy Central, countless independent films, Broadway, Off-Broadway, theatres across the US and abroad, including film festivals and theatre festivals. He currently is acting in a new television show now in production.
Yuval dazzles with his roles on hit television shows, including "Feud" (FX/Hulu), "Madam Secretary" (CBS), "The Michael J. Fox Show" (NBC), "Days of Our Lives" (NBC), and "What Would You Do?" (ABC), "Unforgettable" (CBS), and "The Plot Against America" (HBO). Yuval's leading and supporting roles in films include "Beauty and the Beast," "Nephilim," "Incipient," "Awakening of Spring," "You," and "The Fifth Estate." His acting roles in theatre range from contemporary to classic theatrical works, including: Broadway in "The Game;" Off-Broadway in "Romeo and Juliet," "Leaving an Impression," "Daddy Issues," "Bunburry," and "In The Swing." As much as possible, Yuval enjoys performing in regional theatres across the United States and abroad, in addition to international theatre festivals. Yuval regularly does voice overs for animation, commercials, narration, documentaries, and industrials. As a TV host and presenter, Yuval focuses on societal, humanitarian, food, travel, cultural and entertainment programming. His work is seen on network television, documentary films, web series, and regularly at live events. He also regularly is a host and MC for special events, galas, and advocacy events for social and political initiatives, institutions, and organizations, especially those focusing on US, Israel, LGBTQ, Arts, Humanitarian, and Cultural causes.
Yuval is a news commentator on broadcast news programs speaking about social and political issues and causes, often speaking about civil rights, social justice, and representation in politics, social movements, entertainment and media, Jewish, Israeli, and LGBTQ topics. These have been on major news networks and programs, including on Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, Reuters, i24, and Israeli news networks.
His writings have appeared in publications including The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, Out Magazine, AM New York, Yahoo News, Washington Blade, Queerty, Instinct Magazine, The Jewish Week, Yediot, and other international publications.
In addition to his work in entertainment and media, Yuval is a passionate advocate and activist. Advocacy for the marginalized and under-represented is a driving force, along with his focus on Jewish, LGBTQ, humanitarian, arts and creative initiatives. He uses his creative work as a vehicle for the greater good on behalf of highly respected American, Israeli, and international organizations.
Throughout Yuval's advocacy work with organizations, he is brought in as a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and panelist for discussions regarding:
-Art for Social Change -Creative Advocacy -Identity Politics -Marginalized identities and self-empowerment -Self-Expression and Self-Empowerment -Jewish Identity -Zionism & Israel -Jewish representation in Entertainment and Media -Jewish, Zionist, and Israeli advocacy within Progressive movements -LGBTQ Identity and Representation -Content Creation -Storytelling within Entertainment and Media -Storytelling as Advocacy and Activism -Filmmaking as advocacy
Yuval advocates for all marginalized communities through his creative work and social action, including supporting the organizations below.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Yuval David Productions
- ParentsZiva CohenAryeh NordsteinVictor Cohen
- RelativesYosef Bienenstok(Grandparent)Tonya Bienenstok(Grandparent)
- Son of internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Ziva Cohen.
- Member of Gymkana Exhibitional Gymnastics Troupe for four years. He loved fusing gymnastics with the artistry of live performance.
- Speaks multiple languages, having been raised with English, Hebrew, Spanish, and Yiddish. He thoroughly enjoys French, Japanese, Russian, German, and Arabic.
- Grandson of Yosef Bienenstok and Tonya (Blass) Bienenstok, who are well known for their heroism exibited during WW2 throughout their horrifying experiences surviving the concentration work and death camps of the Holocaust.
- He is a member of the Nordstein family, known for its ancestors who created the agricultural town of Kfar Saba, Israel.
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