Iconic Israeli director, actor and writer Assi Dayan died on Thursday morning in his home in north Tel Aviv. He was 68 years old.

Dayan was one of the most prolific and admired creators in Israel, and was involved in many of the films considered cornerstones in Israeli cinema.

Dayan was born in Moshav Nahalal in 1945, the the youngest son of the legendary IDF general and former Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and peace activist and Ruth Dayan.

He began his acting career in 1967 in the Yossi Milo's film He Walked Through the Fields, and has since appeared some 50 films and television series. He has directed 16 films since 1973.

He received a lifetime achievement award at the Jerusalem International Film Festival in 1998.

Open gallery view Assi Dayan. Credit: Shmuel Rachmani