Greek cinema legend Nikos Xanthopoulos passes away aged 89

·

Nikos Xanthopoulos, a renowned actor of Greek classical cinema, passed away on Sunday at the age of 89 due to chronic heart disease, AMNA has reported.

Xanthopoulos has been hospitalised and remained in intensive care at a hospital in Athens, Greece for over a month before his death.

Greece’s Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, paid tribute to Xanthopoulos in a statement and said he was a “familiar face at a time when Greece was changing at a rapid and dramatic rate.”

“Nikos Xanthopoulos was a deeply cultivated artist, a sensitive citizen towards the social messages of the times, a noble man, who expressed popular sentiment, the pain of refugees and internal migration in an authentic way,” Mendoni added.

The life of Xanthopoulos:

Born in Athens in 1934, Xanthopoulos began his career as a stage actor before transitioning to film.

Throughout his career, which lasted from 1958 to 1971, Xanthopoulos starred in 48 films and became known as a star of Greek melodrama, often portraying everyday people from lower working classes.

Xanthopoulos worked closely with director-producer Apostolos Tegopoulos and the film company KLAK Film, which helped make him a star in Greece during the dictatorship of the Junta.

Nikos Xanthopoulos.

His nickname was “to paidi tou laou” (the child of the people).

Xanthopoulos also recorded nine albums and sang and played the bouzouki.

He was married twice and had four children. His autobiography was published in 2005.

Source: AMNA.gr.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Sydney’s Lemnian community marks 113 years since the liberation of Lemnos

The Lemnian Association of Sydney and New South Wales “Maroula” marked the 113th anniversary of the liberation of Lemnos.

Pan-Macedonian Association marks 42 years of Dimitria Festival in Sydney

With full formality, the Macedonian celebrations “Dimitria” began on Sunday, October 5, 2025. This year marks the 42nd consecutive year.

Australian Embassy in Athens hosts book launch on Australia’s first Greek female settler

The Australian Embassy in Athens hosted the launch of Η Πρώτη Έποικος (The First Settler) on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

‘Our People, Their Stories’ celebrates first anniversary at Sydney’s Maritime Museum

'Our People, Their Stories' celebrated its first anniversary at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Saturday, 4 October.

Faith and tradition converge at Cappadokia Dance Workshop in Sydney

The Cappadokia Workshop brought faith and tradition together as part of the 3rd Zeibekiko Festival Australia.

You May Also Like

Parish of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos in Sydney celebrates 10th anniversary

The Parish of Saint Savvas the New of Kalymnos in Banksia, Sydney, marked its 10th anniversary on Saturday, with a joyful celebration.

Chanel Contos receives prestigious Diana Award

24-year-old activist, Chanel Contos, has joined 180 young changemakers in receiving the prestigious Diana Award earlier this week.

Greece’s Alternate Interior Minister to meet with Greek Community of Melbourne

The Greek Community of Melbourne will welcome Greece's Alternate Interior Minister, Theodoros Livanios at the Greek Centre.