East End
Photo: AP
UK: Hebrew hunk in Albert Square
Looking every inch a real EastEnder, Albert Square's newest arrival also happens to be a bit of a Hebrew hunk
Playing Sean Slater – long lost brother of hot-headed Walford resident Stacey – six-footer Robert Kazinsky comes to the soap fresh from his role as Casper Rose in the popular Sky One football drama Dream Team. And he's already winning a female following with his good looks.
The 22-year-old can speak Hebrew and has starred in Israeli television ads including one for a mobile phone company. He can also belt out a tune, being a talented baritone singer, as well as being skilled in ballet and dance – and he's one of the top stage fighters in the country.
In a recent interview with Inside Soap magazine, Robert revealed what viewers can expect from the newest Ender. "He's the nastiest piece of work you could imagine," he said. "He's smart and charming, but messed up in the head."
Robert, who grew up in Brighton, spent three years at the Guildford School Of Acting, and his other credits include TV's Basil Brush Show and plenty of theatre work. And he's one of only a handful of Jewish actors to star in EastEnders – other notables included Tracy-Ann Oberman, who played Chrissie Watts, Jacquetta May, who played Rachel Kominski, and Leonard Fenton, who starred as Dr Legg.
As for his Jewish background, Robert has revealed that he has Polish and Russian origins – but what of the surname Kazinsky? Well, actually it's not his real name. "It's my grandfather's middle name," he confessed on the Harchester.net Dream Team website. "Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to keep my real name – Superman was already taken, you see."
Reprinted with permission of Daily Jews
