Beloved comedian reveals at 47: "I suffered psychological abuse"
A teacher told him in front of the whole class that he would not have a career, and in the army, he says he endured insults and punishments. Now, at 47 and after more than 35 years on screen, Michael Hanegbi returns to the difficult experiences, reveals the diagnosis that changed his life, and talks about the desire to start a family.
He started performing as a child and became one of the most recognizable faces on television over the years, but behind the long career hide difficult experiences. Actor and comedian Michael Hanegbi reveals in an interview with Ran Boker for ynet the period when he studied at the School of the Arts in Tel Aviv, where, according to him, he experienced harsh treatment from some of the teachers.
"Studying at the School of the Arts was tragic," Hanegbi said. According to him, one of the teachers told him in front of all the students in the class: "You will not have a career." In another instance, he says, all the students were asked to leave the classroom and only he remained.
Hanegbi described the period in harsh words:
"I suffered psychological abuse at the School of the Arts, unequivocally. My only crime was that I was in the theater and on a television show."
According to him, at the time, he did not understand that it was abuse and did not share it with his parents.
Also during his service in the Air Force, according to him, he encountered a commander who bullied him. Hanegbi said that he endured punishments, insults, and personal things said in front of other soldiers. Years later, when he received a request from that commander's son to send his father a birthday greeting, he chose not to do so and defined the event as a "small victory."
In the interview, Hanegbi also spoke about being diagnosed with ADHD at age 45, after years in which he felt he was far from reaching his potential. "I felt that I was not realizing 90 percent of my potential," he said, explaining that since then he has been able to complete projects that previously would have remained in the drawer.
Hanegbi, 47, continues to work today in the theater and on other projects, including the board game "Kubiot" that he invented. Alongside his professional work, he is also looking forward in his personal life. "I have a date tonight, so let's keep our fingers crossed," he said, and when asked if he wants to start a family, he replied: "Unequivocally, it will happen."
