From Irene Papas to Vangelis Papathanassiou, 2022 has been characterised by the loss of a number of great Greek personalities.
As the year comes to an end, The Greek Herald remembers six Greek celebrities who have passed away this year.
#6 — Greek composer, Vangelis Papathanassiou
Oscar-winning Greek composer, Vangelis Papathanassiou, known globally as Vangelis, died in Paris at the age of 79 on May 17.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and other government officials expressed their condolences when the news of Vangelis’ death emerged.
“Vangelis Papathanassiou is no longer among us,” Mitsotakis tweeted and later added in a statement that Vangelis “has set off on his great voyage” from where he will always “send us his music.”
#5 — Greek pop singer, Dakis
Iconic Greek pop singer, Dakis, died at the age of 79 on May 29 following a long battle with cancer.
Dakis, who’s full name is Vrassidas Haralambidis, was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1943. He came to Greece in 1963 and a year later, he started singing in clubs.
Among his most popular songs were ‘Monsieur Cannibal,’ ‘Tu veux out tu veus pas’ and other songs in Greek.
#4 — Greek actor, director and politician, Kostas Kazakos
Prominent Greek actor, director and politician Kostas Kazakos passed away in Athens at the age of 87 on September 13.
Throughout his early career, he worked with several theatre companies and booked supporting roles in films before his big break in 1967 when he earned the lead role in the movie ‘Kontserto gia Polyvola’, starring Tzeni Karezi.
He had been suffering from a chronic respiratory condition and had been a patient at Evangelismos Hospital in the Greek capital from July this year. His passing was attributed to multi-organ failure.
#3 — Greek actress, Irene Papas
Legendary Greek actress Irene Papas passed away at the age of 96 on September 14.
The actress starred in over 70 films in a career spanning more than 50 years. In 1961, Pappas starred in The Guns of Navarone and in 1964 in Cacoyannis’ Zorba the Greek, which catapulted her into international stardom. One of her last film appearances was in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin in 2001.
In 2018, it was announced that she had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for five years.
#2 — Greek actress, Martha Karagianni
One of the most iconic actresses of Greek cinema and theatre, Martha Karagianni, passed away at the age of 82 September 18.
In a statement following her death, Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said her death “marks the end of the ‘golden age’ of Greek cinema.”
“She was a woman characterised by spontaneity and directness. Her presence gave us and will continue to give us joy, beauty, laughter,” Mendoni said.
#1 — Jennifer Anniston’s dad, John Aniston
Emmy-winning star of the daytime soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’ and father of Jennifer Aniston, John Aniston, died at age 89 on 11th November.
In a tribute posted to Instagram, Jennifer announced that he had passed on Veteran’s Day.
“Sweet papa… John Anthony Aniston. You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace – and without pain,” she wrote.
