She began her career in Israeli films with '' Hill 24 Does n't Answer '' ( 1955 ) , which was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival . She played opposite Virna Lisi in Francesco Maselli 's '' The Doll that Took the Town '' ( 1957 ) , an Italian film . Her major role as Esther in '' Ben-Hur '' ( 1959 ) remains her most widely seen performance in international cinema . '' Variety '' , in its review of '' Ben-Hur '' , praised Harareet 's performance : Haya Harareet , an Israeli actress making her first appearance in an American film , emerges as a performer of stature . Her portrayal of Esther , the former slave and daughter of Simonides , steward of the House of Hur , is sensitive and revealing . Wyler presumably deserves considerate credit for taking a chance on an unknown . She has a striking appearance and represents a welcome departure from the standard Hollywood ingenue . Then came 1961 's '' '' ( '' Journey Beneath The Desert '' , aka '' The Lost Kingdom '' ) , directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and co-starring Jean-Louis Trintignant . She appeared opposite Stewart Granger in Basil Dearden 's film '' The Secret Partner '' ( 1961 ) , and she played the role of Dr. Madolyn Bruckner in '' The Interns '' ( 1962 )
1955 Cannes Film Festival
1955 Cannes Film Festival
Haya Harareet