Irene Papas was a Greek actress known for movies including “Zorba the Greek,” “The Guns of Navarone,” and “Z.”
- Died: September 14, 2022 (Who else died on September 14?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 96.
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Acting career
Papas began her career on the Greek stage, and she continued acting on stage, including on Broadway, long after she launched her movie career. She began appearing in Greek and Italian films before attracting the notice of Hollywood filmmakers. Papas received early notice in 1961’s “The Guns of Navarone,” playing a World War II resistance fighter. That same year, she starred in a Greek film production of “Antigone,” for which she won Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival. She would go on to star in a number of film adaptations of classical Greek plays, including “Electra,” “Iphigenia,” and “The Trojan Women.” Papas starred as the Widow in “Zorba the Greek” and went on to a leading role in the political thriller “Z.” Her later career included a role in “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.” Also a singer, Papas released several albums, including a collaboration with Vangelis (1943–2022).
Notable quote
“The more mature you become, the less you want to teach. And acting is teaching. I claim that I act because I need to eat. I cry and I eat. But why should I eat simply because I cry well? I should eat because I am hungry. But that is so difficult in this world.” —from a 1969 interview with Roger Ebert
Tributes to Irene Papas
Full obituary: The New York Times
