Photo of Irene Papas
Acting

Irene Papas

Profession
Acting
Born
September 3, 1929 · Chiliomodi, Corinth, Greece
Died
September 14, 2022

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.

Known for

The Guns of Navarone poster
The Guns of Navarone
Film · 1961 · ★ 7.3
The Odyssey poster
The Odyssey
Series · 1997 · ★ 7.3
Z poster
Z
Film · 1969 · ★ 7.8
Captain Corelli's Mandolin poster
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Film · 2001 · ★ 5.9
Don't Torture a Duckling poster
Don't Torture a Duckling
Film · 1972 · ★ 7.3
The Message poster
The Message
Film · 1976 · ★ 7.1
Zorba the Greek poster
Zorba the Greek
Film · 1964 · ★ 7.5
Into the Night poster
Into the Night
Film · 1985 · ★ 6.5
Lion of the Desert poster
Lion of the Desert
Film · 1981 · ★ 7.3
Anne of the Thousand Days poster
Anne of the Thousand Days
Film · 1969 · ★ 7.2
We Still Kill the Old Way poster
We Still Kill the Old Way
Film · 1967 · ★ 6.7
Christ Stopped at Eboli poster
Christ Stopped at Eboli
Film · 1979 · ★ 7.2

Filmography