Hall of Fame of the Greek Cinema (Men)
The legends of the old greek cinema
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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.- Actor
- Writer
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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.- Actor
- Director
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
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Labros Konstadaras (13 March 1913 - 28 June 1985) was one of the greatest actors of Greek theatre and cinema, excellent both in comedy and drama, with ancestry from Istanbul. He was the brother of actress Mitsi Konstadaras and father of former New Democracy MP Dimitris Konstadaras who gave him two grandchildren, Pavlina in 1974 and Labros in 1979. He was born in Kolonaki Athens and died at "Asklepieion" hospital of Voula Athens. Earlier (1978 and 1983) he had suffered two strokes.
In 1930 he joined, after his family's insistence and without his own will, the non-commissioned Navy School in Corfu, from where he eventually escaped by swimming. He was spared the Court-martial after his family's actions. In 1934 he went to Paris to study goldsmith, in order to take on the family jewelry shop in downtown Athens. He abandoned his studies and did various jobs, until he was discovered by the French Director Louis Zoybe when he played a bit part in a theatrical performance. He studied actor at the theatre "Atene" and in the summer of 1938, he returned to Greece, starting his career.
He served the Greek theatre for 40 years, acting in 191 plays and people still enjoy him through his films (more than 75, mostly comedies). He excelled in roles of the mature, rich and womanizer or "father" of several well-known stars of the era in movies such as "My Daughter, the Socialist", "Some Weary Lads", "A Matter of Earnestness", "Alice in the Navy".
He married in first wedlock actress Julie Georgopoulou in 1945 and in the second Filio Kekatou in 1971. He spent his last years in Varkiza Athens. He is buried in the first cemetery of Athens.- 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.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
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.- Nikos Kourkoulos was born in 1934, in Athens, Greece. He studied acting at the Drama School of the Greek National Theater and made his stage debut in a 1958 Athens production of Alexandre Dumas fils's "La dame aux camélias", opposite Ellie Lambeti and Dimitris Horn. He was one of the founders of the prestigious stage group Proskinio and appeared in the 1967 Broadway musical "Ilya Darling", with Melina Mercouri. He created his personal group in the early 1970's, with a repertory which included, among others, Franz Kafka's "The Trial", Arthur Miller's "View from the Bridge" and Bertolt Brecht's "The Beggar's Opera". His last stage appearance to date was in the title role of Sophocles' "Philoktitis" (1991); he then became artistic director of the Greek National Theater. His film career has been equally successful: he starred in many films from the late 1950's until the early 1980's. His most commercial films have been melodramas with a social background, like Oratotis miden (1970).
- Andreas Barkoulis was born on 24 July 1936 in Piraeus, Greece. He was an actor, known for Alygisti sti zoi (1964), The Suitcase of the Priest (1978) and Take Me Away, My Love (1960). He was married to Maria, Maria Vlasopoulou - Barkouli, Angela Fara', Aleka Stratigou, ??? and Fotini Anastasiou. He died on 23 August 2016 in Athens, Greece.
- Actor
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- Writer
Faidon Georgitsis studied at the drama schools of Karolos Koun, Christos Vlachiotis and Pelos Katselis. His first cinematographic appearance was at the 1960 Jules Dassin's film. He has worked with Karolos Koun in his the experimental Art Theater and at the "National Theatre of Northern Greece". Apart from cinema and theatre he had participated in numerous TV series, during the 70's and 90's. He had directed theatrical plays and films.- 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. - Actor
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Kostas Hatzihristos was born in 1921 in Salonica, Greece. He was an actor and director, known for Thimios in the Land of Striptease (1963), Who Will Pay for the Marble? (1956) and World Gone Mad (1963). He was married to Ketty Diridaoua and Eleni Pantazi. He died on 3 October 2001 in Athens, Greece.- Giannis Vogiatzis was born in 1926 in Etoliko, Greece. He is an actor, known for A Lady in Sirtaki Dance (1968), Some Like It Cool... (1963) and Smyrna (2021).
- Actor
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Mimis Fotopoulos was the son of Nikolaos Fotopoulos and Anna Papadopoulos. He was born in Zatouna of Gortynia on April 20, 1913. Zatouna is a small village, 4 km away from Dimitsana, at 1,050 meters altitude. His father died when Mimis was young. The young Fotopoulos preferred to study at the Faculty of Philosophy in Athens, but, in the second year, he left it to study theater at the Drama School of the Royal Theater, which was later renamed the National Theater, as we know it today. He took part in the Greek Resistance and married Margarita Tsala, from whom he had two daughters, Anna and Maria. He participated in various troupes until he made his own troupe. He played in travelling troupes, toured abroad, participated in many Greek films, mainly of the old Greek cinema, wrote plays and books, directed in the theater. He wrote the plays "A Girl at the Window" (1966) and "Pelopidas the Good Citizen" (1976). He published three books: "25 years of theater" (1958), "The river of my life", published by Kastaniotis, 1965, autobiographical, and "El Daba-Homer of the English", published by Modern Times, 1965. Finally, the poetry collections: "Bouloukia" (1940), "Semitonia" (1960), "Sklira trioleta" (1961), "The Death of the days" (1976), "Ballads of love and death" (1984) His wife had been exiled to Gyaros during the junta, when he was left alone with his two daughters. At that time he decided to make paintings with collage of stamps. This was another artistic activity, not so well known by Mimis Fotopoulos. He died on October 29, 1986, of a sudden heart attack.- Actor
- Art Director
- Soundtrack
Dimitris Papamichael was born in 1934, in Piraeus, Greece. He studied acting at the Drama School of the National Greek Theater, where he made his stage debut in 1955 in Euripides' "Hecuba" and interpreted several important roles during 1955-1960: Treplev in Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull", Jimmy Porter in John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" etc. He then collaborated with the prestigious Theatro Technis (Art Theater) and created a personal group with his then wife, Aliki Vougiouklaki: between 1964 and 1974 they appeared together in several plays including George Bernard Shaw's "My Fair Lady") and starred in some of the most commercially successful films in the history of Greek cinema (their on screen partnership had started in 1959 and their marriage - in 1965 - was received with much enthusiasm from their fans). After their divorce (1974) Papamichael retired from films and concentrated on theater; he was much praised for his excellent work in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" (title role) and Euripides' "Medea" (as Jason).- Actor
- Production Manager
- Soundtrack
Nikos Rizos was a Greek actor. He took part in many Greek comedies in cinema. He and his wife Elsa had one son. Rizos began his career with "Anthropoi, anthropoi" in 1948 at the Metropolitan Theatre. He founded his own company in 1959 which he co-ran from 1961 with Vasilis Avlonitis and Georgia Vasileiadou. He appeared in various comedies in Greece and Germany, performing for the immigrant Greeks abroad. In 1986, he appeared at the Astor Theatre on Stadiou Street which he ran from the artistic performance until 1990. Rizos changed and he was a theatrical entrepreneur for 27 years. He starred in around 200 comedy films including The Taxi Driver (1953), The Dead Man's Treasure (1959), O Klearhos, i Marina kai o kontos (1961), Symmoria eraston (1972), and others. On television, he starred alongside Martha Karagianni in O dromos (1977). In 1999, he appeared in the television series of Tasos Athanasiadis's I aithousa tou thronou (1998). It was his last appearance on television. Rizos' last years were spent in Gyzi. He suffered a heart attack on 20 April 1999 and died in an Athens hospital from edema. He was 74 years old. He is buried at Athens First Cemetery.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Nikos Stavridis was born in 1910 in Samos, Greece. He was an actor, known for Stay Cool, Napoleon! (1968), 7 Days of Lying (1963) and O gabros mou, o dikigoros! (1962). He died on 12 December 1987 in Samos, Greece.- Lavrentis Dianellos was a Greek actor. Born in 1911, he started acting on stage in 1938. He debuted in cinema in 1948, and until his death in 1978, he appeared in more than 200 movies, making him the most prolific actor in the history of Greek cinema. A supporting actor, he was often cast as the father, the priest etc.
- Nikos Fermas was born in 1905 in Mitilini, Greece. He was an actor, known for Love... In Instalments (1959), O Thymios tahei 400 (1960) and O paras kai o foukaras (1964). He was married to Anna Pantzika. He died on 14 August 1972 in Athens, Greece.
- Giannis Gionakis was born on 18 September 1922 in Athens, Greece. He was an actor, known for Jeep Kiosk and Love (1957), I krevvatomourmoura (1971) and Oti thelei o laos (1964). He died on 25 August 2002 in Athens, Greece.
- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Giorgos Konstadinou was born on 27 October 1934 in Athens, Greece. He is a writer and director, known for The Jerks (1987), Oi teleftaioi PASOKratores (1989) and Enas axiolatreftos belas (1994).- Actor
- Art Department
Periklis Hristoforidis was born in 1907 in Trabzon, Turkey. He was an actor, known for Those Not Allowed to Love (1951), Ziteitai pseftis (1961) and The Taxi Driver (1953). He was married to Anna. He died in 1983 in Thessaloniki, Greece.- Pantelis Zervos was born in 1908 in Loutraki, Greece. He was an actor, known for Madalena (1960), The Wise Guy (1962) and At Fate's Doorstep (1967). He was married to Maria. He died on 23 January 1982.
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Lakis Komninos was born in 1944 in Mitilini, Greece. He is an actor and producer, known for The Dawn of Victory (1971), Pavlos Melas (1974) and To epomeno thyma (1990).- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
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
- Producer
- Director
Thanasis Vengos was born in 1927 in Neo Faliro, Piraeus, Greece. He made his movie debut in 1952 and played many supporting parts in films of the 1950s, often working as a technician, too. His first really major part was in the anti-war comedy Psila ta heria Hitler (1962); he followed that with a long series of comedies, which made him extremely popular. He created the recognizable persona of the everyday man who keeps running to earn his daily bread. His best roles often have a tragic dimension, as the anti-heroes he played in the commercial and artistic hits Ti ekanes ston polemo Thanasi (1971) and Enas xenoiastos palaviaris (1971).But he was also fine in purely dramatical roles, as in It's a Long Road (1998). He also did some interesting stage work, starring in ancient (Aristophanes' "Peace" and "Acharneis") and modern Greek comedies (Giorgos Lazaridis' "O trellos tou Luna-park").- Actor
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Stefanos Stratigos was one of the most famous and beloved actors of Greek theater and cinema. Due to his aspect, he was often cast in roles of "tough" and "ruthless" men, although, according to the critics, his acting skills foretold that he could support more interesting roles on the big screen. He was born in 1923 in Athens and came from a theatrical family. His parents, Vasilis and Amalia, were among the most famous troupers of the interwar period, when performers used to tour the whole country, even the smallest Greek village, setting up a rudimentary stage in a cafe, to perform a play, entertain the people and make a living. The actor's profession was followed by his three younger sisters, Aleka (1926-1989), Rena (1929-2014) and Stella (1931-2005). Stefanos Stratigos was literally born in the theater and from a very young age he was initiated into acting. Unlike his parents and having great theatrical experience since his adolescence, he sought and studied at the Drama School of the then Royal Theater. After graduating in 1944, he appeared in large troupes, such as Vasilis Logothetidis, with whom he played in many plays in theater and cinema, Ellie Lambeti and Dimitris Horn, Dinos Iliopoulos and Vasilis Argyropoulos. He also created his own troupes, as a manager or co-manager with his colleagues, but also with Gely Mavropoulou, with whom they were a couple on stage and in life. After their divorce, he married the actress Mari Pantazi. His theatrical career continued until the mid-1980s, collaborating with great actors such as Dionysis Papagiannopoulos, Nikos Xanthopoulos and Thanasis Vengos, who toured together in Greece and abroad. Stefanos Stratigos, in addition to the theater, where he played a large and varied repertoire, from Greek to classical, took part in many films. His first appearance in cinema was in 1948 in Alekos Sakellarios's film Oi Germanoi xanarhontai... (1948), alongside Vasilis Logothetidis. His roles in the films To koritsi tis tavernas (1952), Santa Chikita (1953), The Magic City (1954), A Girl in Black (1956), The Auntie from Chicago (1957), Dellistavrou kai Yios (1957), Murder in Kolonaki (1959), The Wise Guy (1962), The Scum (1963), Papaflessas (1971) and The Man with the Carnation (1980) stand out from his prolific filmography. In the early 60's he also directed, most successfully with the comedy Etairia thavmaton (1962). He retired from acting in the early 1990s. His last credits were his participation in Thanasis Skroubelos' film O Tzonys Keln, kyria mou (1991) and in the in Marios Retsilas's drama series Anatolikos anemos (1992), which was shown in 1992 by ANT1 network. Stefanos Stratigos passed away on April 6, 2006, at the Red Cross Hospital in Athens. According to the medical announcement, his death occurred due to a respiratory infection.