Irene Papas

Biography

Irene 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.

Filmografi

The Guns of Navarone1961 · Maria PappadimosThe Deserter1983 · MariangelaCaptain Corelli's Mandolin2001 · DrosoulaThe Message1976 · HindErendira1983 · Grandmother AmadisZorba the Greek1964 · WidowInto the Night1985 · Shaheen ParviciZ1969 · HélèneIphigenia1977 · KlytaimnistraIsland1989 · MarquiseParty1996 · IreneLion of the Desert1981 · MabroukaDon't Torture a Duckling1972 · Dona Aurelia AvallonePlato's Banquet1989 · DiotimeBambina1974 · Raimonda SpinaAnne of the Thousand Days1969 · Queen CatherineTrap for the Assassin1966 · Julia de NoirvilleBouboulina1959 · Laskarina BouboulinaJacob1994 · RebekkaA Talking Picture2003 · HelenaChronicle of a Death Foretold1987 · Madre de AngelaTribute to a Bad Man1956 · Jocasta ConstantineBloodline1979 · Simonetta PalazziLe avventure di Ulisse1969 · Penelope