Actor
Yaakov Peri
2 films on Movie OTT · Active 2012–2025
Yaakov Peri — born Yaakov Pirzoner on February 20, 1944 — isn't an actor in any traditional sense, and that's exactly what makes his presence in documentary cinema so arresting. A former head of the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, Peri appears on screen as himself: a real architect of real decisions, sitting for the camera and answering for them. What's striking is how much weight that carries when you know the résumé behind the face. He led the Shin Bet from 1988 to 1994 (Wikipedia), a period that overlapped with the First Intifada and some of the most contested chapters in Israeli security history. Before intelligence work swallowed his career whole, he'd been something else entirely — an orchestral trumpeter, of all things, playing with the Gadna Symphonic Orchestra and the Haifa Symphony (Wikipedia). That biographical whiplash, from concert hall to interrogation room, is the kind of detail that doesn't quite fit any tidy narrative. After leaving the Shin Bet, Peri didn't retreat from public life. He ran Cellcom Israel as CEO from 1995 to 2003, then entered politics, serving as Israel's Minister of Science, Technology, and Space from 2013 to 2014 (Wikipedia). His film appearances — all documentary, all as himself — are best understood as a continuation of that public accountability, not a departure from it.
About Yaakov Peri
Yaakov Peri — born Yaakov Pirzoner on February 20, 1944 — isn't an actor in any traditional sense, and that's exactly what makes his presence in documentary cinema so arresting. A former head of the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, Peri appears on screen as himself: a real architect of real decisions, sitting for the camera and answering for them. What's striking is how much weight that carries when you know the résumé behind the face.
He led the Shin Bet from 1988 to 1994 (Wikipedia), a period that overlapped with the First Intifada and some of the most contested chapters in Israeli security history. Before intelligence work swallowed his career whole, he'd been something else entirely — an orchestral trumpeter, of all things, playing with the Gadna Symphonic Orchestra and the Haifa Symphony (Wikipedia). That biographical whiplash, from concert hall to interrogation room, is the kind of detail that doesn't quite fit any tidy narrative.
After leaving the Shin Bet, Peri didn't retreat from public life. He ran Cellcom Israel as CEO from 1995 to 2003, then entered politics, serving as Israel's Minister of Science, Technology, and Space from 2013 to 2014 (Wikipedia). His film appearances — all documentary, all as himself — are best understood as a continuation of that public accountability, not a departure from it.
Currently streaming
1 of 2 on platformsEarly life & background
Yaakov Peri was born Yaakov Pirzoner on February 20, 1944. Before his decades in intelligence and politics, he pursued a career in music — specifically as a trumpeter — performing with the Gadna Symphonic Orchestra and the Haifa Symphony (Wikipedia). That early chapter in the arts is one of the more unexpected biographical facts attached to a man who'd go on to lead one of Israel's most secretive institutions. No additional details about his family background, formal education, or early upbringing are confirmed in available sources at this time.
Career
Cite this page
For Wikipedia, journalism, or academic references — copy the citation below:
Movie OTT. "Yaakov Peri." Accessed Aug 7, 2026. https://movieott.com/talent/yaakov-periCross-references: Wikipedia
Last updated July 2, 2026 · Sources: tmdb+wikipedia+perplexity+tmdb-credits+ai-claude
Filmography
Frequently asked questions
What films is Yaakov Peri known for?
Yaakov Peri has 2 titles indexed on Movie OTT, including The Palestine Laboratory, The Gatekeepers.
Where can I watch Yaakov Peri's films?
1 of Yaakov Peri's films are currently streaming, available on Prime Video.
How long has Yaakov Peri been active?
Yaakov Peri's film career on Movie OTT spans from 2012 to 2025 — 13 years of work.
