Acting
Irene Papas
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.
Filmography
1821 at the Cinema
Film · 2021
Morceaux de Cannes
Film · 2021
Il falso bugiardo
Film · 2008
A Talking Picture
Film · 2003
Short Cuts
Series · 2002
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Film · 2001
...and the train leaves for the sky
Film · 2001
Yerma
Film · 1999
Inquietude
Film · 1998
The Odyssey
Series · 1997
Party
Film · 1996
Jacob
Film · 1994
Un Amore Rubato
Film · 1993
Lettera da Parigi
Film · 1993
Up, Down and Sideways
Film · 1992
Enopios Enopio
Series · 1991
Plato's Banquet
Film · 1989
Island
Film · 1989
Oceano
Series · 1989
La Valise en carton
Series · 1988
High Season
Film · 1987
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Film · 1987
A Child Called Jesus
Film · 1987
Sweet Country
Film · 1987
Ein Kind mit Namen Jesus
Series · 1987
Sacrée soirée
Series · 1987
The Assisi Underground
Film · 1985
Into the Night
Film · 1985
Afghanistan For What?
Film · 1984
Erendira
Film · 1983
The Deserter
Film · 1983
The Balad of Mamelouk
Film · 1982
Champs-Elysées
Series · 1982
Lion of the Desert
Film · 1981
L'assistente sociale tutto pepe...
Film · 1981
Bloodline
Film · 1979
Ring of Darkness
Film · 1979
Christ Stopped at Eboli
Film · 1979
Iphigenia
Film · 1977
Blood Wedding
Film · 1977
Moses the Lawgiver
Film · 1976
The Message
Film · 1976
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Series · 1975
Bambina
Film · 1974
Moses the Lawgiver
Series · 1974
The Battle of Sutjeska
Film · 1973
1931: Once Upon a Time in New York
Film · 1973
Don't Torture a Duckling
Film · 1972
N.P. - The Secret
Film · 1972
The Murder of Julius Caesar
Film · 1972
Oasis of Fear
Film · 1971
The Trojan Women
Film · 1971
Roma bene
Film · 1971
Z
Film · 1969
Anne of the Thousand Days
Film · 1969
The Odyssey
Film · 1969
Behold Man - The Survivors
Film · 1969
A Dream of Kings
Film · 1969
Le avventure di Ulisse
Film · 1969
The Brotherhood
Film · 1968
The Odyssey
Series · 1968
We Still Kill the Old Way
Film · 1967
Witness Out of Hell
Film · 1967
The Desperate Ones
Film · 1967
Trap for the Assassin
Film · 1966
The Steps
Film · 1966
Zorba the Greek
Film · 1964
The Moon-Spinners
Film · 1964
Electra
Film · 1962
The Guns of Navarone
Film · 1961
Antigone
Film · 1961
Bouboulina
Film · 1959
Pssst ... girls!
Film · 1959
The Lake of Sighs
Film · 1959
Tribute to a Bad Man
Film · 1956
MGM Parade
Series · 1955
Attila
Film · 1954
Theodora, Slave Empress
Film · 1954
The Missing Scientists
Film · 1954
Climax!
Series · 1954
Reflets de Cannes
Series · 1954
The Man From Cairo
Film · 1953
Vortice
Film · 1953
The Unfaithfuls
Film · 1953
Dead City
Film · 1951
Fallen Angels
Film · 1948