BEST GREEK ACTORS AND ACTRESSES
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- She studied theatre at Marika Kotopouli's drama school. She worked with Karolos Koun Art Theatre. She played at "Blood Wedding" (Federico García Lorca) and "The glass Menagerie" (Tennessee Williams) in the late forties. She also worked with Mrs Katerina (famous Greek actress at that time) and with Kostas Mousouris's group in the early fifties. In the mid fifties she created a group with two Greek actors, Dimitris Horn and Giorgos Pappas. In the sixties she gave unforgettable performances with her own group. One of these performances was "A streetcar named desire" where she played Blanche du Bois. In 1967 she suffered the onset of cancer. Although she was seriously ill, she continued to appear on stage until 1982 (one year before her death). Her last appearance was as Sarah in a play which is widely known from the movie Children of a Lesser God (1986). At that time she no voice at all, the cancer having deprived her of it.great theatre actress and lead actress of Michael Cacoyannis
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Melina Mercouri was born in Athens, Greece on October 18, 1920. An early woman activist, she was elected to the Greek Parliament in 1977. Later Miss Mercouri was to become the first woman to hold a Senior cabinet post "Minister of Culture" in the Greek government. In 1971 she wrote her autobiography titled "I Was Born Greek." Melina wed actor Jules Dassin in 1966 and remained married to him until her death in 1994. Melina Mercouri died of lung cancer in New York City, on March 6, 1994.- Orestis Makris was a Greek actor and tenor. Makris graduated from the Athens Conservatoire and first entered the scene as a tenor in the troupe of Rozalia Nika in 1925. He later joined the Papaioannou troupe, before moving to more comedic roles. Makris excelled in the portrayal of folk characters, especially the stock role of the "drunkard". Makris also participated in about forty movies, mostly as an over-strict father. He is considered one of the most significant modern Greek actors. He was decorated with the Order of the Phoenix. He died on 29 January 1975 in Athens and is buried at the First Cemetery in a family grave.
- Dionyssis Papayannopoulos was born in 1912, in Diakofto, Greece. He studied at the Drama School of the National Theater of Greece, where he made his stage debut in 1938, appearing (as the Knight) in Shakespeare's "King Lear". During the next two decades he collaborated with many prestigious stage groups, excelling in, among others, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" (as the Grave-digger) and Dimitris Psathas' "Fonazei o kleftis" (as Solon Karaleon).
In 1961 he created his own stage group and gave memorable performances in a series of modern Greek comedies, like Gerasimos Stavrou's "Zito i zoi" and Asimakis Gialamas and Costas Pretenderis' "Despinis Diefthindis" (as Mr. Vassiliou - a role he repeated in the 1964 film version, opposite Jenny Karezi). He was also very good in Iakovos Kampanellis' "To megalo mas tsirko" (as Kolokotronis, Venizelos and Karagiozis).
His film work has been prolific, too: he appeared in about 120 films, usually in scene-stealing supporting parts. One of his few starring film roles was as the kind-hearted tavern-keeper in _Kyr-Giorgis ekpedevetai, O (1977)_. He died of a stroke in 1984. - Vasilis Logothetidis was a Greek comedian. He is considered one of the most significant modern Greek actors. One year after graduating from high school in Constantinopole, in 1916, he started to participate as an amateur actor in local shows. In 1918, he moved to Athens where, one year later, he joined the Marika Kotopouli theater company, with which he remained until 1946, with a brief pause in 1935. From 1947, he performed with his own theater company. During his very successful career, he starred in more than 110 Greek comedies and in more than 200 international plays, including Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, As You Like It by William Shakespeare, Volpone by Ben Jonson and Knock by Jules Romains. Logothetidis was among the first Greek actors to appear in film, mostly as a protagonist. His most memorable appearances include Oi Germanoi xanarhontai... (1948) & The Counterfeit Coin (1955) In 1957, he toured the United States with successful appearances in eight different cities. Logothetidis died in Athens on 20 February 1960, by heart attack.
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Giorgos Foundas was born in 1924 in Parnassida, Greece. He was an actor and producer, known for The Asphalt Fever (1967), Me ti lampsi sta matia (1966) and The Shepherdess' Lover (1955). He died on 28 November 2010 in Athens, Greece.- Actor
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Dimitris Horn was born in 1921, in Athens, Greece. His father was Pantelis Horn, a well-known Greek playwright. He studied at the Drama School of the National Theater of Greece, where he made his stage debut in 1941. He collaborated with the National Theater many times in his career, but also made personal stage groups with famous actors, like Mary Aroni, Alekos Alexandrakis and Ellie Lambeti, who also was his life companion for some years (1953 - 1958). He soon established a reputation as the best actor of his generation, giving solid performances in such classics as Nikolay Gogol's "The Diary of a Madman" (title role), William Shakespeare's "Richard III" (title role), Molière's "Don Juan" (title role), Luigi Pirandello's "Henry IV" (title role) etc. Equally important was his screen work; he starred in only 10 films, but most of them have attained legendary status, like The Counterfeit Coin (1955) and A Girl in Black (1956). He died in 1998, but will always be fondly remembered as the "jeune premier par excellence" of the Greek stage and screen.- Actress
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Eleni Zafeiriou was born in 1916 in Larissa, Greece. She was an actress, known for Love and Blood (1968), Love Stories (1959) and I Kypros stis floges (1964). She died on 2 September 2004 in Athens, Greece.- Actor
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Born in 1913 (or 1915, according to some sources), in Alexandria, Egypt, but raised in Marseille, France. His family moved in Athens in 1935. He studied acting at the Drama School of Giannoulis Sarantidis and made his stage debut in a 1944 Athens production of Leo Lenz's "Lady I Love You." In 1946, he became a stage sensation starring opposite Marika Kotopouli in Carlo Goldoni's "A Servant of Two Masters" (as Truffaldino). He never left the stage for the next fifty years, appearing with great success in ancient (Aristophanes' "Thesmophoriazouses") and modern Greek comedies (Dimitris Psathas' "Thanasakis o politevomnenos", Alekos Sakellarios' and Hristos Giannakopoulos' "O filos mou o Lefterakis"), musicals ("Irma la Douce", "Some like It Hot") etc. He also became one of the all-time greats of the Greek cinema, starring in about 90 films. He died of lung infection in 2001.- Actress
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Mary Chronopoulou was born in 1933, in Athens, Greece. She studied at the Drama School of the Greek National Theater, where she made her stage debut in 1953 as a member of the Chorus in Euripides' "Hippolytus". She had a fruitful theatrical career, appearing in many plays, like Lillian Hellmann's "The Little Foxes" (as Regina), Tennesse Williams' "The Fugitive Kind" (as Carol), John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" (as Alison Porter)and Maxim Gorky's "The Enemies" (as Tatiana Bartin). She was very active in films, too, playing a wide variety of parts in comedies, musicals, melodramas and film noirs. She also sang in some of her plays and movies; some of the songs she performed in 1960's musicals are still popular today in Greece.- Actor
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Anestis Vlahos was born on 7 February 1934 in Prossoutsani, Drama, Greece. He was an actor and producer, known for Kierion (1968), Me ti lampsi sta matia (1966) and Bed of Grass (1957). He died on 23 August 2021 in Athens, Greece.- Actor
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Katrakis was born in Kissamos, Chania, Crete. He was the youngest of the five children of the merchant Charalambos Katrakis merchant and his wife Irini.
In 1919 the family moved to Athens, where Manos, who had almost no acting experience, first appeared in theatrical scene. He made his debut aged just 18 years, with the group "Young" at work "To love." His brio and capacity enthralled the director Kostas Leloudas, so a year later, in 1928, he played the leading role in the silent film The Banner of 1821 (1929) (i.e. "The banner of 1821").
Among his remarkable film performances are included the ones of the title role in Marinos Kontaras (1948) by Giorgos Tzavellas, in A Neighborhood Named 'The Dream' (1961) by Alekos Alexandrakis, in Electra (1962) by Michael Cacoyannis, and in Enas delikanis (1963) by Manolis Scouloudis. Awarded at the International Festival of San Francisco, for for his interpretation as Creon in Antigone (1961) by Giorgos Tzavellas, and in the Thessaloniki Film Festival for his performance in A Neighborhood Named 'The Dream' (1961)." He also participated in hundreds of events where the readings of Greek poetry and literature with his unique voice, remained classics.
He died shortly after completing the filming of Voyage to Cythera (1984) of the great director Theodoros Angelopoulos.- Titos Vandis was born on 7 November 1917 in Thessaloniki, Greece. He was an actor and writer, known for Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972), Prosohi, kindynos! (1983) and Dawn on the Third Day (1962). He was married to Nancy Hall, Eleanore Mahlein, Ketty Asprea, Aleka Paizi, Maria Alkaiou and Betty Valassi. He died on 23 February 2003 in Athens, Greece.
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Irene Papas was born on 3 September 1929 in Chilimodion, Corinth, Greece. She was an actress and director, known for The Guns of Navarone (1961), The Message (1976) and Electra (1962). She was married to José Kohn and Alkis Papas. She died on 14 September 2022 in Chiliomodion, Corinthia, Greece.- Actor
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Alekos Alexandrakis was born in 1928, in Athens, Greece. He studied at the Drama School of the Greek National Theater and made his stage debut in a 1949 Athens production of Daphne Du Maurier's "Autumn Tide". He soon became one of the best actors of his generation, appearing in Euripides' "Hippolytus" (title role), Ivan Turgenev's "A Month in the Country" (as Mikhail Alexandrovitz Rakitin), Sophocles' "Electra" (as Orestis), Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" (as Jessie, Sam and Roy) and many other plays. He made his screen debut in 1949 and appeared in more than 60 films, proving himself equally adequate in comedy and drama. He also directed two interesting neorealist films in the early 1960's, Thriamvos (1962) and A Neighborhood Named 'The Dream' (1961).- Actor
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Kostas Voutsas was born in Athens, in 1931. He studied at the Drama School of the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki and made his stage and screen debut in 1953. His breakthrough came in 1961, when Giannis Dalianidis gave him a key part in his phenomenally successful youth melodrama Spoiled Rotten (1961). He soon became one of the best and most popular comic actors of his generation and created personal groups, starring in many Greek comedies by top play-writers and classics like Aristophanes' "Sfikes" (as Philokleon), Molière's "Le bourgeois gentilhomme" (title role) etc. He also starred in about 60 movies, mostly comedies and musicals of the 'golden era' of Greek commercial cinema and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in 1984.- Additional Crew
Dimitris Papamihail is known for Black Out p.s. Red Out (1998).- Giannis Argyris was born in 1918 in Sximatari, Viotia, Greece. He was an actor, known for Dating Agency (1956), Matomena stefana (1961) and I Am Innocent (1960). He died on 23 July 1993 in Greece.
- Eva Kotamanidou was born on 16 March 1936 in Athens, Greece. She was an actress, known for Roza (1982), The Travelling Players (1975) and Zoi harisameni (1993). She died on 26 November 2020 in Greece.
- Maria Vassiliou was born on 16 September 1950 in London. She was an actress, known for Evdokia (1971), She Knew No Other Way (1973) and I Am Innocent (1960). She died on 5 July 1989 in London.
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Betty Livanou was born in 1951 in Athens, Greece. She is an actress and writer, known for Taxidi tou melitos (1979), A Time to Kill (1993) and I paralia (2023). She is married to Giorgos Panousopoulos.- Aris Retsos was born in 1957 in Alexandria, Egypt. He is an actor, known for Anametrisi (1982), Oi apenanti (1981) and The Photograph (1986).
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Antonis Kafetzopoulos was born on 13 October 1951 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is an actor and director, known for Revanche (1983), Akadimia Platonos (2009) and Unfair World (2011). He is married to Faye Kokkinopoulou.- Actress
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Sotiria Leonardou was born in Athens, Greece. She was an actress and writer, known for Rembetiko (1983), Antavgeies pathous (1987) and I koilia tis melissas (2001). She died on 10 November 2019 in Athens, Greece.- Actress
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Themis Bazaka was born on 3 March 1957 in Thessaloniki, Greece. She is an actress, known for Rembetiko (1983), Stone Years (1985) and Akrovates tou kipou (2001).- Actress
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- Maria Skoula is known for Lefteris Dimakopoulos (1993), September (2013) and 18 (2021). She is married to Akilas Karazisis.
- Ioanna Tsirigouli is known for Burning Heads (2011), Homeland (2010) and Para ligo, para ponto, para triha (2002).
- Stelios Mainas was born on 1 October 1957 in Ermoupoli, Syros, Greece. He is an actor, known for Tetarti 04:45 (2015), Mystikes diadromes (2001) and Ekei pou zoume (2022). He has been married to Katia Sperelaki since 1988. They have one child.
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Eleni Kastani is known for The Island (2009), To kokkino domatio (2005) and One Day in August (2001).- Actor
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Christos Stergioglou was born in 1952 in Didymoteicho, Thrace, Greece. He is an actor and producer, known for Dogtooth (2009), The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas (2013) and Unfair World (2011).- Actor
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- Script and Continuity Department
Errikos Litsis was born in 1955 in Athens, Greece. He is an actor and writer, known for Homeland (2010), The Republic (2015) and Runaway Day (2013).- Akilas Karazisis was born in 1957 in Greece. He is an actor, known for Milky Way (2023), Siege on Liperti Street (2019) and To athoo soma (1997). He is married to Maria Skoula.
- Theodora Tzimou was born on 20 March 1974. She is an actress, known for Pandora (2006), Ricordi mi (2009) and Free Subject (2018). She is married to Antonis Fragakis.
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Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, after studying Art & Design at Guildhall University and after abandoning a bachelor's degree in Architecture at London Metropolitan University. He followed his training with an internship at Richard Foreman's avant-garde Ontological Theater in New York City and working with his acting coach and mentor, Actors Studio artistic director Elizabeth Kemp.
He was nominated for the Horn award for best newcomer in theater for his stage debut as Carl, in Sarah Kane's play Cleansed, directed by legendary Greek director Lefteris Voyatzis. Other stage credits include Trebliev in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, Oswald in Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts, the title role in Janusz Glowacki's The Fourth Sister, Mira in Jens Diedrich's Des Tragischen Todes der Hexe Mira, Darren in Gary Owen's The Drowned World, Anton in Marius von Marienburg's Eldorado, Emil in Handl Klaus' Wilde, a.o
He is a member of the Hellenic Film Academy and has starred in several Greek feature films, like Tied Red Thread, Homeland (Best Actor nomination Hellenic Film Academy Awards, 2010 Venice Film Festival Settimana della Critica), Valse Sentimentale (Best Actor nomination Thessaloniki Film Festival), Delivery (in competition 2004 Venice Film Festival), Atlas, Athens Blues a.o. as well as short films like Pure Youth (in competition 2004 Venice Film Festival Corto Cortissimo) a.o.
His directorial debut, Dimitris Dimitriadis' The Annunciation of Cassandra (2018) opened to rave reviews and sold out shows and was lauded by the Greek press as one of the 10 best Greek theater productions of the decade. The following year he directed Chrysippus by Dimitris Dimitriadis, which opened the 2019 Athens Epidaurus Festival - Greece's most prestigious cultural organisation - to sold out shows and polarised reviews.
In all of his directing projects he also always designs the sets, costumes, lighting, sound and creates the publicity campaigns, as he also designed and photographed "The Greeks" and "Post Inferno" campaigns for the Onassis Foundation.
Best Actor nomination for his work as Stergios in Homeland (2010), at the Hellenic Film Academy Awards.
Best Actor nomination for his work as Stamatis in Valse Sentimentale (2007), at the Thessaloniki Film festival.- Actress
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Mina Orfanou was born on 3 May 1982 in Rhodes, Greece. She is an actress, known for Strella (2009), Oikogeneia soi mple (2016) and Oi Vasiliades (2012).- Actress
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Angeliki Papoulia was born in Athens, Greece. She graduated from Athens University (Theatre Studies) and the "Empros" Theatre Drama School in 2000. She speaks English and French. She has starred in the following films: Matchbox (Kiki) Dir. Yiannis Economides 2002. Dogtooth (Older daughter) Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos which won the "Prix Un Certain Regard" at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Foreign Language Film) at the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011. Alps (Nurse) Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos which won the Osella for Best Screenplay at the 68th Venice International Film Festival in 2011. A Blast (Maria) Dir. Syllas Tzoumerkas which had its premiere in Locarno Film Festival in 2014. The Lobster (Heartless Woman) Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos which won The Jury Prize at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 89th Academy Awards. The miracle of the Sargasso Sea (Elisabeth) Dir. Syllas Tzoumerkas which had its premiere at the Berlinale 2019 Film Festival. Amulet (woman) Dir. Romola Garai will have its premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2020. Green Sea (Anna) Dir. Angeliki Antoniou 2018. For her role in Dogtooth, she was awarded with Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress at the Sarajevo Film Festival 2009. In 2004, she co-founded the blitz theatre group (www.theblitz.gr). She has written, directed and acted in all the group's performances until the most recent in 2017. The group has presented its performances in various important Festivals and Theatres in France (Festival d'Avignon, Theatre de la Ville, La Comedie de Reims), The Netherlands, Germany (Schaubuhne Theatre, Thalia Theatre), Italy, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Norway, Greece (Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Onassis Cultural Center), Turkey, Lebanon. Lately she has co-directed theatre performances at Luzerner Theater in Luzern / Switzerland with Christos Passalis. She has also appeared in performances directed by Michael Marmarinos, Lefteris Vogiatzis, as well as Greek National Theatre productions directed by Yorgos Houvardas and Yorgos Lanthimos.- Actor
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Christos Passalis is a theatre and film director and actor, born in Thessaloniki, Greece. He participated as an actor in Yorgos Lanthimos' Dogtooth (Prix Un Certain Regard, 2009 Cannes IFF, Best Foreign Language Film nomination at the 83rd Academy Awards), Syllas Tzoumerkas' Homeland (Venice 2010) and The Miracle of the Sargasso Sea (Berlinale 2019), Vardis Marinakis' Black Field (Karlovy Vary IFF 2010), and Fiona Tan's History's Future. His co-directed with Syllas Tzoumerkas, hybrid film The City and the City had its world premiere at the Encounters Competition of the 72nd Berlinale and its North-American premiere at the New Directors/New Films by MoMA and Film at Lincoln Center. His debut feature film Silence 6-9 had its world premiere at the Crystal Globe Competition of the 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.