Irene Papas
Irene Papas or Irene Pappas (Greek: Ειρήνη Παππά, romanized: Eiríni Pappá, IPA: [iˈrini paˈpa]; born Eirini Lelekou (Greek: Ειρήνη Λελέκου, romanized: Eiríni Lelékou); 3 September 1929 – 14 September 2022) was a Greek actress and singer who starred in over 70 films in a career spanning more than 50 years. She gained international recognition through such popular award-winning films as The Guns of Navarone (1961), Zorba the Greek (1964) and Z (1969). She was a powerful protagonist in films including The Trojan Women (1971) and Iphigenia (1977). She played the title roles in Antigone (1961) and Electra (1962). She had a fine singing voice, on display in the 1968 recording Songs of Theodorakis.
Irene Papas | |
|---|---|
Papas in 1956 | |
| Born | Irene Lelekou 3 September 1929 Chiliomodi, Corinthia, Second Hellenic Republic |
| Died | 14 September 2022 (aged 93) |
| Resting place | Chiliomodi Cemetery, Corinthia, Greece |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Occupation(s) | Film and theatre actress, singer |
| Years active | 1948–2003 |
| Known for | Heroines of Greek tragedy; powerful stage presence |
| Notable work | Antigone Electra The Guns of Navarone Iphigenia The Message The Trojan Women Z Zorba the Greek |
| Spouses | |
| Relatives | Manousos Manousakis (nephew) |
Papas won Best Actress awards at the Berlin International Film Festival for Antigone and from the National Board of Review for The Trojan Women. Her career awards include the Golden Arrow Award in 1993 at Hamptons International Film Festival, and the Golden Lion Award in 2009 at the Venice Biennale.