Irene Papas

Irene Papas, born Eirini Lelekou on 3 September 1929 in the small village of Chiliomodi, Greece, rose from a modest upbringing—her mother a schoolteacher and her father a classical‑drama instructor—to become one of the most iconic figures of Greek and international cinema. From her early fascination with theatre, where she would fashion dolls from rags and mime Greek tragedies for neighborhood children, she entered the National Theatre of Greece Drama School at fifteen, graduating in 1948 and launching a career that spanned over  fifty years and more than seventy films. Her magnetic stage presence was first felt in Greek repertory theatre, where she tackled works by Ibsen, Shakespeare and ancient tragedians, later moving to the Broadway stage in productions such as The Idiot and Medea, earning praise for her “controlled” and “fierce” portrayals. Papas’s film breakthrough came with the 1952 Greek classic Dead City, which led to roles in Italy’s Lux Film productions and eventually to worldwide recognition through Hollywood and European masterpieces. She embodied legendary heroines—Antigone (1961), Electra (1962), Helen in The Trojan Women (1971) and the haunting widow in Zorba the Greek (1964)—earning Best Actress honors at Berlin and the National Board of Review. Beyond acting, she recorded Songs of Theodorakis (1968) and collaborated with Vangelis, showcasing a voice as resonant as her screen presence. Her personal life was marked by two brief marriages—to director Alkis Papas and producer José Kohn—and a celebrated but private love affair with Marlon Brando. In later years she battled Alzheimer’s disease, spending her final days in Kifissia before passing away on 14 September 2022 at age 93, leaving an indelible legacy of tragic power and artistic integrity. Her influence endures in the National Theatre of Greece’s newly renamed Irene Papas – Athens School, a testament to her lasting impact on Greek culture and world cinema.