Yossi Vasa Biography: Wife, Ethnicity, Net Worth, Books, Awards, Parents, Height, Movies

Yossi Vasa, is an Ethiopian-born Israeli actor, writer, and comedian, who is best known for co-creating, writing, and starring in the acclaimed sitcom Nevsu, which won the International Emmy Award for Best Comedy Series in 2018.

He gained wider recognition through roles in films like Live and Become (2005), The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), and television projects such as the Israeli adaptation of The Office.

Vasa’s work often explores cultural integration and family dynamics within Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community, appearing in notable productions including Summer of 89 and drawing from his own immigrant experiences to bring authentic representation to Israeli screens.

Profile

• Full Name: Yossi Vasa
• Stage Name: Yossi Vasa
• Born: 2 May 1975
• Age: 50 years old
• Birthplace: Ethiopia
• Nationality: Israeli
• Occupation: Actor, Writer, Comedian
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Yarden
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Yossi Vasa was born on May 2, 1975, in Ethiopia, to parents whose names are unknown. His family immigrated to Israel in 1985 as part of Operation Moses, a secret airlift rescuing Ethiopian Jews, and they settled in Netanya.

He might have had siblings but details about them are unknown. He attended government boarding schools for Ethiopian immigrants during his youth.

Vasa pursued higher education at the University of Haifa, graduating in 1998 with a degree in theater and education. He embraces Judaism, reflecting his Ethiopian Jewish heritage.

Career

Yossi Vasa began his career while studying at the University of Haifa, where he and a classmate produced viral comedy videos that circulated widely within the Ethiopian-Israeli community through local stores.

These early sketches highlighted cultural humor and built his initial following. After graduation, he served in the Israeli Army’s theater unit, performing for troops and honing his stage presence.

Vasa transitioned to professional acting in the early 2000s, landing roles in theater and television that showcased Ethiopian-Israeli stories.

His breakthrough came with a poignant performance in Live and Become (2005), directed by Radu Mihaileanu, which explored the challenges faced by Ethiopian immigrants in Israel.

He continued building his resume with appearances in projects like the Israeli version of The Office (2010) and Summer of 89, establishing himself as a versatile comedian and actor.

Vasa’s career reached new heights when he co-created, co-wrote, and starred as Gili Chalacho in the sitcom Nevsu (2017–2021), a semi-autobiographical series about an Ethiopian-Israeli man married to an Ashkenazi woman navigating family prejudices and cultural clashes.

The show marked a milestone as the first Israeli primetime series with a Black lead actor and earned critical praise for addressing racism with humor.

Nevsu ran for three seasons, won the 2018 International Emmy for Best Comedy, and sparked international interest, including adaptation discussions in the U.S.

During this period, Vasa also appeared in Hollywood’s The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), alongside Chris Evans, playing a role inspired by real Ethiopian rescue operations.

He balanced acting with writing and producing, collaborating on scripts that promoted diversity in Israeli media.

Yossi Vasa maintains a respected presence in Israeli entertainment through theater, television guest spots, and advocacy for Ethiopian-Israeli representation.

His contributions to Nevsu cemented his role in breaking barriers for minority voices on screen. Vasa continues to write and perform comedy that reflects multicultural Israeli life.

He inspires younger artists from immigrant backgrounds. His body of work, including standout films like Live and Become (2005) and The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), underscores his impact on both local and international audiences.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Yossi Vasa married Yarden, whom he thanked publicly during his 2018 International Emmy acceptance speech for supporting his semi-autobiographical work on Nevsu.

The couple keeps details about their family private, including any children. Vasa draws inspiration from his immigrant roots and often channels personal experiences into his creative projects.

He leads a low-key lifestyle focused on his career and community involvement in Israel.

Filmography

• Live and Become (2005)
• The Office (Israeli version) (2010)
• Summer of 89
• Nevsu (2017–2021)
• The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019)

Net Worth

Yossi Vasa has an estimated net worth of $1 million. His primary sources of income stem from acting roles in film and television, writing and producing credits on Nevsu, which benefited from awards and international sales, plus earnings from theater performances and comedy work in Israel.