Who is Irene Papas, the Greek star of the films The Message and Zorba?
Irene Papas was born on September 3, 1926 in Greece. She started theater school when she was 12 years old. She worked as a singer, belly dancer and radio voice artist in the early years of her career.
Continuing her stage education in Ancient Greek theater in Athens, Irene played all major classical roles, including Medea and Electra. Not content with this, she also took part in contemporary Greek theater works in the late 1950s.
After shooting a few movies in Greece, she started to act in international films, especially Italian and French films. Meeting with the famous Greek-American director Elia Kazan opened the doors of world cinemas to him. But her real international fame came in 1961 with her role as daredevil resister Maria Pappadimos in J. Lee Thompson's superb production The Guns of Navarone.
After a few movies she shot in Greece, she started to act in international films, especially Italian and French films. Meeting with the famous Greek-American director Elia Kazan opened the doors of world cinemas to him. But her real international fame came in 1961 with her role as daredevil insurgent Maria Pappadimos in J. Lee Thompson's super-production The Guns of Navarone.
Papas has acted in more than 70 films in her art life of more than 50 years. Papas made a name for herself in the 1964 movie Zorba, in which she starred with Anthony Quinn.
Papas also played the role of "Hind bint Utbe", Abu Sufya's wife, in the 1976 film "The Message" about the spread of Islam.
Other notable film credits include “Anne of a Thousand Days,” “Vortice,” “Tribute to a Bad Man,” “The Missing Scientists,” “Brotherhood,” “Electra,” and “Z,” the 1969 Oscar-winning political thriller in which Papas played the widow of a murdered politician (Yves Montand).
Private life of Irene Papas
Irene Papas was married to Alkis Papas from 1943-1947. In an interview after the death of actor Marlon Brando, Irene Papas admitted to having an affair with Brando.
Death of Irene Papas
Having struggled with Alzheimer's disease for 5 years, Papas died on September 14, 2022 in her birthplace, Corinth. Papas was 96 years old.
Irene Papas, celebrated Greek actress from 'Zorba' to 'Iphegenia,' has died
https://www.npr.org/2022/09/14/1122908972/irene-papas-died