The term FIDDLER ON THE ROOF STAR refers to the three main actors in the musical film adaptation of the 1964 Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof. Zero Mostel was the original Broadway actor who played the lead role of Tevye, a Jewish milkman living in Tsarist Russia. He was replaced by Topol in the 1971 film adaptation, who reprised his role in the 1981 sequel. Both Zero Mostel and Topol were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. The third actor, Zero Mostel's son, was played by Gene Mostel.