In a new documentary, Hollywood actor John Stamos embarks on a personal journey to uncover his Greek ancestry. “I look at faces, and I see my dad, I see my grandfather. It feels familiar,” he reflects while traveling through the streets of Athens.
Featured in the documentary series Who Do You Think You Are?, Stamos uncovers remarkable details about his family’s history, including a long-standing family conflict that deeply affected his grandfather’s early life. With the assistance of historian Katerina Lagos, Stamos traces his lineage back to the Arcadian village of Kakouri, where his grandfather, John (Ioannis) Stamos, was born in 1904. His grandfather, originally named Ioannis Stamatopoulos, emigrated to the United States from this village, altering his last name to Stamos upon arrival.
Determined to learn more, Stamos visits the registry office in Tripoli, where he discovers records showing that his grandfather was described as an orphan, having lost his father at an early age. His great-grandfather, Vassilios, was tragically killed in 1905 by a man named Ioannis Koliopoulos.
Stamos has previously written about his connection to Greece in his memoir, If You Would Have Told Me. He describes the profound experience of sharing Greek culture with his wife and son, noting that it has brought his family closer to their roots and strengthened their bond with relatives abroad. Through this journey, Stamos deepens his family’s connection to Greece and finds new meaning in his heritage.
