Famous Greek Film & Theater Personalities

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 1 
Tom Hanks
(One of the Most Popular Film Stars Worldwide, Known for Both His Comedic and Dramatic Roles)
Tom Hanks
18
Birthdate: July 9, 1956
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Concord, California, United States

One of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, Tom Hanks is known for both his comedic and dramatic roles. Making his breakthrough with leading roles in the 1980s, he went on to further cement his place in Hollywood in the 1990s by taking up poignant and sensitive roles. He is also a director, producer, and screenwriter. 

 2 
Yorgos Lanthimos
(Greek Filmmaker and Screenwriter)
Yorgos Lanthimos
3
Birthdate: September 23, 1973
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Greek filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Yorgos Lanthimos initially studied business and was also part of the Greek national basketball team before stepping into films. A prominent figure of the Greek Weird Wave movement, he is known for his Academy Award-nominated screenwriting in The Lobster and direction in The Favourite.

 3 
Irene Papas
(Greek Actress and Singer Best Known for Her Films: 'The Trojan Women' and 'Antigone')
Irene Papas
2
Birthdate: September 3, 1926
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chiliomodi, Greece
Died: September 14, 2022

Irene Papas is a popular Greek actress and singer who has played powerful women in films and stage plays in an illustrious career spanning over five decades. Widely regarded as the quintessential Greek beauty, Papas has won many awards, including the Golden Arrow Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hamptons International Film Festival.

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 4 
Melina Mercouri
(Greek Actress and Former Minister for Culture)
Melina Mercouri
2
Birthdate: October 18, 1920
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Died: March 6, 1994

Maria Amalia Mercouri was a Greek actress, singer, politician, activist, and socialist. Mercouri had a profound acting career and is remembered for her portrayal of Ilya in the film Never on Sunday, which earned her a Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award. As a politician, Mercouri served as the Minister of Culture and Sports, the first female to do so.

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 5 
Costa Gavras
(Film Director)
Costa Gavras
2
Birthdate: February 12, 1933
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Iraia, Greece

Costa Gavras is a Greek-French screenwriter and filmmaker best known for making movies with social and political themes. His 1969 political thriller film Z, which earned him an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, was the first movie to receive nominations for both the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

 6 
Lindsay Armaou
(Irish Actress and Singer)
Lindsay Armaou
2
Birthdate: December 18, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Lindsay Armaou is a Greek-born Irish singer and actress best known for her association with the popular girl group B*Witched. Over the years, Armaou has helped increase the popularity of B*Witched, thanks to her fame as an actress outside the music industry.

 7 
Julia Alexandratou
(Greek Socialite, Model, and Porn Film Actor)
Julia Alexandratou
4
Birthdate: November 24, 1986
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Glyfada, Greece

Greek socialite, model, and adult entertainer Julia Alexandratou was 16 when she won the Miss Young contest. In 2006, she won the Miss Greece International pageant. Over the years, she has hosted shows, released music, and posed for magazine covers. She made headlines with her appearance in a 2010 porn clip.

 8 
Stefania Liberakakis
(Singer, Actress)
Stefania Liberakakis
2
Birthdate: December 17, 2002
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Utrecht, Netherlands

Stefania Liberakakis is a Greek-Dutch singer, YouTuber, and voice actress. She is best known for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 where she represented Greece with the song Last Dance; Stefania finished tenth in the contest. Stefania Liberakakis has also voiced important characters in the Dutch version of films like Dolittle and Wonder Park.

 9 
Romain Gavras
(French Filmmaker Who Has Directed Many Iconic Music Videos)
Romain Gavras
1
Birthdate: July 4, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Athens

Born to French producer Michèle Ray-Gavras and Greek-French director Costa-Gavras, French filmmaker Romain Gavras was no stranger to films as a child. Apart from making films such as The World Is Yours and countless ads, he has also directed iconic music videos such as Jamie xx’s Gosh and M.I.A.’s Bad Girls.

 10 
Tonia Sotiropoulou
(Greek Actor and Producer Who Became the First Greek Bond Girl)
Tonia Sotiropoulou
2
Birthdate: April 28, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Glyfada, Greece

Greek actor and producer Tonia Sotiropoulou gained fame as the first Greek Bond girl when she appeared in the 2012 James Bond thriller Skyfall. She has also appeared in films such as Hercules and Man of God and in Greek TV series such as Our Best Years.

 11 
Alexi Pappas
(Greek-American Track and Field Athlete)
Alexi Pappas
2
Birthdate: March 28, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Berkeley, California, United States

Alexi Pappas is a Greek-American runner, actor, writer, and filmmaker. In 2016, she set the national record for 10,000m at the Rio Olympics where she represented Greece. As a filmmaker, Alexi Pappas is credited with bankrolling and writing Olympic Dreams, the first fictional film to be shot in an Olympic village. 

 12 
Angeliki Papoulia
(Greek Actor and Theater Director)
Angeliki Papoulia
2
Birthdate: 1975 AD
Birthplace: Agios Dimitrios, Greece

Greek actor and theater director Angeliki Papoulia is best known for her Heart of Sarajevo award-winning role in Dogtooth. She is a co-founder of the Blitz Theater Group, for which she has written, directed, and acted. Her other notable films include Alps and A Blast.

 13 
Alexis Georgoulis
(Actor)
Alexis Georgoulis
2
Birthdate: October 6, 1974
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Larissa, Greece

While he initially aspired to be a civil engineer, Alexis Georgoulis later joined a drama school. He soared to fame as an actor with the sitcom You Are My Mate and later appeared in films such as Oxygono. He became an international sensation with the film My Life in Ruins.

 14 
Theo Angelopoulos
(Greek Filmmaker, Producer, and Screenwriter)
Theo Angelopoulos
1
Birthdate: April 27, 1935
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Died: January 24, 2012

Greek filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Theo Angelopoulos is remembered for his Palme d'Or-winning film Eternity and a Day. He dropped out of law school to study film and later became known for his signature slow narratives and long takes. He died after being hit by a motorcycle while shooting the film The Other Sea.

 15 
Anastasia Tsilimpiou
(Greek-Romanian Model and Actor)
Anastasia Tsilimpiou
2
Birthdate: November 12, 1997
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Greek-Romanian model and actor Anastasia Tsilimpiou started her career as a child actor. She soared to fame with her roles in the Greek series Gia tin kardia enos Angelou and To Nisi and the Turkish series MuhteÅŸem Yüzyıl: Kösem. She also delivered an award-winning performance as Helen Keller in To thafma tis Anne Sullivan.

 16 
Thespis
(Ancient Greek Poet)
Thespis
2
Birthdate: 0501 AD
Birthplace: Icaria, Greece

Greek poet Thespis is not just believed to be the first actor of Greek drama but also the inventor of tragedy. He is also said to have introduced dialogues into choral tragedies and was the first to stage a Greek tragedy at the City Dionysia.

 17 
Mary Tsoni
(Actress)
Mary Tsoni
2
Birthdate: June 25, 1987
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Died: May 8, 2017

Mary Tsoni was a Greek singer and actress best remembered for playing important roles in films like Evil, Evil: In the Time of Heroes, and Dogtooth. She was honored at the Sarajevo Film Festival with the Best Actress award for her performance in Dogtooth. A month before her 30th birthday, Mary Tsoni was found dead due to pulmonary edema.

 18 
Aliki Vougiouklaki
(Actress)
Aliki Vougiouklaki
2
Birthdate: July 20, 1934
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Marousi, Athens, Greece
Died: July 23, 1996
 19 
Elena Tsagrinou
(Singer)
Elena Tsagrinou
2
Birthdate: November 16, 1994
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Elena Tsagrinou is a Greek singer best known for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 where she represented Cyprus with the song El Diablo; Tsagrinou finished 16th in the contest. She is also a voice actress and has voiced important characters in the Greek version of films like Free Birds (2013) and Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017).

 20 
Georgia Salpa
(Greek-Irish Model Named As One of the Sexiest Women in the World Twice)
Georgia Salpa
2
Birthdate: May 14, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Greek-Irish model Georgia Salpa had begun her modeling career even before leaving school. She featured on FHM’s list of the sexiest women in the world twice and later gained fame with her appearance in the 2012 season of Celebrity Big Brother. The Podge and Rodge Show star is now married to millionaire Joe Penna.

 21 
Despina Vandi
(Greek Singer and Actress)
Despina Vandi
1
Birthdate: July 22, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tübingen, Germany

German-born Greek singer Despina Vandi initially gained fame with her successful collaborations with songwriter Phoebus. Her 2000 single Ipofero was 6-time platinum and became Greece’s best-selling track of all time. She has also released hit Billboard-charting tracks such as Gia and Opa Opa, and has starred in musicals too.

 22 
Anna Vissi
(Greek Cypriot Pop Singer Known for Winning the Thessaloniki Song Festival in 1977)
Anna Vissi
2
Birthdate: December 20, 1957
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Larnaca, Cyprus

A Greek music icon, Anna Vissi had started training in music at age 6 and won her first talent contest at age 12. Born in Cyprus, the singer later moved to Athens and also briefly studied law. After soaring to fame with Eurovision, she gradually became one of Greece’s best-selling artists ever.

 23 
Olga Karlatos
(Actress)
Olga Karlatos
1
Birthdate: April 20, 1945
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
 24 
Elena Paparizou
(Greek Singer, Songwriter and Television Personality)
Elena Paparizou
2
Birthdate: January 31, 1982
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Borås, Sweden

Helena, or Elena, Paparizou is one of Greece’s finest singers. The Swedish-born musician started her career as part of the folk/Eurodance duo Antique. She soared to fame after winning Eurovision 2005, singing My Number One, becoming the first Greek to win the contest ever. She is now one of Greece’s most powerful celebrities.

 25 
Andreas Voutsinas
(Sudanese-Greek Theater Director and Actor)
Andreas Voutsinas
1
Birthdate: August 22, 1930
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Khartoum, Sudan
Died: June 8, 2010

Andreas Voutsinas was a Sudanese-Greek theater director and actor. He is remembered for playing important roles in films like The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, and History of the World, Part I. From 2002 to 2009, he worked as an acting teacher in Northern Greece’s State Theatre. Andreas Voutsinas is also credited with founding a drama school called Superior Drama School.

 26 
Nico Minardos
(Actor)
Nico Minardos
1
Birthdate: February 15, 1930
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Died: August 27, 2011
 27 
Tolis Voskopoulos
(Actor)
Tolis Voskopoulos
1
Birthdate: July 26, 1940
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kokkinia, Piraeus, Greece

Legendary Greek folk singer Tolis Voskopoulos is best remembered for his theatrical hit Oi Erastes tou Oneirou. With a career spanning over 6 decades, he also starred in many plays and movies. He was later married to Greek politician Antzela Gerekou and passed away at age 80.

 28 
Katina Paxinou
(Actress)
Katina Paxinou
1
Birthdate: December 17, 1900
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Piraeus, Greece
Died: February 22, 1973
 29 
Danae Stratou
(Visual artist)
Danae Stratou
1
Birthdate: 1964 AD
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
 30 
Corinna Tsopei
(Actress)
Corinna Tsopei
1
Birthdate: June 21, 1944
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
 31 
Daniela Amavia
(Actress)
Daniela Amavia
1
Birthdate: March 4, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 32 
Panos Mouzourakis
(Singer-songwriter)
Panos Mouzourakis
1
Birthdate: May 24, 1979
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Zurich, Switzerland

Swiss-born Greek singer-actor Panos Mouzourakis is best known for his roles in the Greek series S1ngles and 4. He had first gained attention with the play Acharnis, which toured around the globe. He has also lent his voice to the Greek version of the hit Disney animated film Frozen.

 33 
Angelique Rockas
(Actress)
Angelique Rockas
1
Birthdate: 1951 AD
Birthplace: Boksburg, South Africa
 34 
Sanchuniathon
(Writer)
Sanchuniathon
1
Birthplace: Phoenice
Died: 0150 AD
 35 
Marinella
(Singer)
Marinella
1
Birthdate: May 20, 1938
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Thessaloniki, Greece

Marinella is a Greek singer best known for her longevity and versatility. Marinella, whose singing career has spanned over 65 years, is one of the most popular and respected singers in Greece. Apart from releasing several solo albums, she has also collaborated with other prominent musicians over the course of her illustrious career.

 36 
Michael Cacoyannis
(Film Director)
Michael Cacoyannis
1
Birthdate: June 11, 1921
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Limassol, Cyprus
Died: July 25, 2011

Greek filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis is best remembered for his Academy Award-nominated film Zorba the Greek. Born to a public servant father who was knighted for his work, in Cyprus, he initially studied law and then joined the BBC World Service. He had also performed on stage as Michael Yannis.

 37 
Nicholas Pettas
(Greek-Danish Karateka)
Nicholas Pettas
1
Birthdate: January 23, 1973
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mykonos, Greece

Nicholas Pettas is a Greek-Danish martial artist and an exponent of karate. He is also a former kickboxer and actor. Pettas is renowned for his powerful low kicks and has scored victories over kickboxers like Yusuke Fujimoto and Gökhan Saki. In 1995, Pettas won the European Heavyweight Championship title and became the tenth Shin Karate World Championships champion in 2000. 

 38 
Spiros Focas
(Greek Actor)
Spiros Focas
1
Birthdate: August 17, 1937
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Patras, Greece
Died: November 10, 2023
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 39 
Christos Vasilopoulos
(Actor)
Christos Vasilopoulos
1
Birthdate: April 16, 1978
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Greece
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 40 
Katy Garbi
(Singer)
Katy Garbi
1
Birthdate: June 8, 1961
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Korydallos, Greece

Katy Garbi is a singer who is credited with recording two of the best-selling Greek albums of the 1990s: Arhizo Polemo and Evaisthisies. In 2010, Garbi was included in Alpha TV's list of top-certified female Greek artists since 1960. Garbi is also known for her philanthropic efforts; she has participated in several fund-raising events to benefit homeless and sick children.

 41 
Zeta Makripoulia
(Model)
Zeta Makripoulia
1
Birthdate: July 31, 1978
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 42 
Christos Stergioglou
(Actor)
Christos Stergioglou
1
Birthdate: 1952 AD
Birthplace: Didymoteicho, Greece
 43 
Yorgo Voyagis
(Actor)
Yorgo Voyagis
1
Birthdate: December 6, 1945
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 44 
Eleni Karaindrou
(Composer)
Eleni Karaindrou
1
Birthdate: November 25, 1941
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Teichio, Fokida, Greece

Eleni Karaindrou is a Greek composer best known for her work with Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos; Karaindrou has scored many of Angelopoulos' films. A prolific composer, Eleni Karaindrou has also composed music for theatrical productions, TV series, and TV movies. In 2021, she was honored at the Ghent Festival's World Soundtrack Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

 45 
Athina Rachel Tsangari
(Greek Filmmaker Who Has Directed Short Films, Feature Films, and Series)
Athina Rachel Tsangari
1
Birthdate: 1966 AD
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari is best known for films such as Attenberg and Chevalier. She has also co-produced pathbreaking films such as Dogtooth and Alps and has directed the series Trigonometry and a number of shorts. In 2014-2015, she was invited by Harvard to be a visiting lecturer on film and art.
 46 
Jacques Damala
(Actor)
Jacques Damala
1
Birthdate: January 15, 1855
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Piraeus, Greece
Died: August 18, 1889
 47 
Vicky Kaya
(Model)
Vicky Kaya
1
Birthdate: July 4, 1978
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Vicky Kaya is a Greek television presenter, fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur. Kaya has graced the covers of several international fashion magazines like Elle, Marie Claire, Vogue, Madame Figaro, and Esquire. As an entrepreneur, Vicky Kaya is credited with founding a couple of brands, namely Great for Women and The Fashion Workshop, with the former focusing on women's well-being.

 48 
Titos Vandis
(Actor)
Titos Vandis
1
Birthdate: November 7, 1917
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Salonika, Greece
Died: February 23, 2003
 49 
Agnes Baltsa
(Singer, Actress)
Agnes Baltsa
0
Birthdate: November 19, 1944
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lefkada, Greece

Agnes Baltsa is a Greek mezzo-soprano singer, often counted among the best in the genre. Musically gifted from childhood, she started playing the piano at six. She later trained at the Greek National Conservatoire and made her professional debut in the opera The Marriage of Figaro at Frankfurt Opera. She has collaborated many times with noted tenor José Carreras.  

 50 
Yvonne Sanson
(Former actress)
Yvonne Sanson
0
Birthdate: August 29, 1925
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Thessaloniki, Greece
Died: July 23, 2003
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)