Papas, Irene (1926–)
Papas, Irene (1926–)
Greek actress. Born Irene Lelekou, Sept 3, 1926, in Chiliomodion, Corinth, Greece.
International actress, acclaimed for her portrayals of some the most famous heroines of classical Greek drama, began career as a teenager, singing and dancing in variety shows and only playing an occasional straight role; made 1st film, Lost Angels (1950), in Greece, and also appeared in several Italian films before signing a contract with MGM; made US debut in Tribute to a Bad Man (1956), followed by The Guns of Navarone (1961), but it was her appearance in Electra (1962) and Zorba the Greek (1964), both of which were directed by Michael Cacoyannis, that established her as an international star; went on to play leading roles in international productions and on US stage and screen; collaborated with Vangelis on Odes (1979) and Rhapsodies (1986); other films include Antigone (1960), The Moon-Spinners (1964), The Brotherhood (1968), Z (1969), Anne of the Thousand Days (1969), The Trojan Women (1971), Moses (1976), Iphigenia (1977), Bloodline (1979), Erendira (1983), Into the Night (1985), The Assisi Underground (1985), Cronica de una Muerte anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold, 1987), Island (1989) and Zoe (1992). Honored for lifetime achievement by the European Cinema Panorama (2000).