Irene Papas
Birthday: 1929-09-03 | Place of Birth: Chiliomodi, Corinth, GreeceIrene Papas or Pappas (Greek: Ειρήνη Παππά, romanized: Eiríni Pappá, born Eirini Lelekou [Ειρήνη Λελέκου]; 3 September 1929 – 14 September 2022) was a distinguished Greek actress and singer whose international career spanned more than five decades and encompassed over 70 films. She gained worldwide recognition for her passionate, statuesque performances and her classical Greek beauty, becoming one of the most iconic figures in Greek and international cinema. Born in Chiliomodi, Corinthia, she studied at the National Theatre Drama School. She began her career in theatre and film in the late 1940s. She achieved international acclaim through her collaboration with director Michael Cacoyannis, starring in film adaptations of ancient tragedies such as "Electra" (1962), "Iphigenia" (1977), and "The Trojan Women" (1971)—the latter alongside Katharine Hepburn and Vanessa Redgrave. At the same time, she appeared in major international productions such as "The Guns of Navarone" (1961)—alongside Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn—Michael Cacoyannis’s "Zorba the Greek" (1964), Costa-Gavras’s political thriller "Z" (1969), and the epic production "The Message" (1976). Beyond acting, she also distinguished herself in music, collaborating with renowned artists such as Vangelis Papathanassiou (on the album "Odes") and Mikis Theodorakis. Irene Papas received numerous awards at international festivals, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2009. She passed away in 2022 at the age of 93, leaving behind an invaluable cultural legacy.
Known For
Acting
Role
as (archive footage)
as Helena
as Drosoula
as Dona Aurelia Avallone
as Vieja pagana
as Mother
as Anticlea
as Irene
as Rebekka
as Gina
as Μαρία
as Aurelia Perdomo
as Diotime
as Marquise
as Maria Amélia, la mère de Linda
as Mrs. Araya
as Old Maria
as Old Maria
as Penelope
as Mother Giuseppina
as Grandmother Amadis
as Mamluk's Mother
as La Signora
as Giulia Venere
as Raffaella
as Simonetta Palazzi
