Entertainment News from Athens, Tributes to Greek Artists

Ellie Loukou 13 April 1926 – 3 September 1983, known professionally as Ellie Lambeti was a Greek actress. She studied theatre at Marika Kotopouli's drama school. She worked with Karolos Koun Art Theatre. She worked and fell in love with Dimitris Horn. Her love affair lasted for many years, and they are one of the most loved theatre couples in Greece even now, that both have died.  She was a goddess on stage, one of the most respected and loved actresses in Greece.  She was nicknamed the "Greek Greta Garbo"  and preferred theatre over cinema, but played in 10 very successful big screen movies.  Her personal life was characterized as a Greek tragedy , and her life story has been made into a television series. Listen to the podcast and find out more about the most memorable, sensitive, kind, talented, strong and passionate, Elli.

Nikos Rizos 30 September 1924, in Peta – 20 April 1999, in Athens) was a Greek comedy actor. He starred in around 300 comedy films and appeared in many television series. His nickname  was the gentle "Giant", or "Shorty"  due to his short stature, yet his confidence, talent and personality made up for his height. He studied law but theatre and the big screen won his heart and became his passion. Listen to the podcast and find out more about this genius and much loved actor.

Thanasis Veggos -  29 May 1926 – 3 May 2011 was a Greek actor and director born in Neo Faliro, Piraeus. He performed in around 130 films, predominantly comedies in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, starring in more than 50 among them. He is considered one of the best Greek comedy actors of all time. His famous comedic catchphrase was "Καλέ μου άνθρωπε" ("My good man"). The phrase "τρέχει σαν το Βέγγο" ("runs like Veggos") has been adopted into common usage in the Greek language since nobody has run more or faster than Veggos in his many slapstick comedies. He won a total of 7 awards throughout his career, including two awards at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in 1971 and 1993. Listen to the podcast and find out more about this talented, sensitive and generous artist.

Artemios "Demis" Ventouris-Roussos 15 June 1946 – 25 January 2015 was a Greek vocalist and performer who had an internationally acclaimed career, as a single recording artist and bandleader. As a band member he is best remembered for his work in the progressive rock music act Aphrodite's Child, but as a vocal soloist, his repertoire included hit songs like ‘’Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye’’, ’’From Souvenirs to Souvenirs’’ and ’’Forever and Ever’’. Other hits by Roussos included "My Friend the Wind", "My Reason", "Velvet Mornings",  "Someday Somewhere" and "Lovely Lady of Arcadia". Roussos continued to record sporadically with his former bandmate Vangelis. In 1970, the two released the film score album Sex Power and later recorded the 1977 album Magic.  Their most successful collaboration was "Race to the End" a vocal adaptation of the musical theme from the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire (scored by Vangelis). Roussos also guested on Vangelis's soundtrack to Blade Runner.

Roussos sold over 60 million albums worldwide and became "an unlikely kaftan-wearing sex symbol. Asteroid 279226 Demis Roussos, discovered by Russian amateur astronomer Timur Krjačko at the Zelenchukskaya Station in 2009, was named in his honor.  President Alexander Lukashenko said: “This artist left a bright mark in the world music art and made history as one of the greatest singers, whose extremely emotional manner of singing caught the hearts of listeners all over the world. 

Aristotelis - Telly - Savalas was an American actor and singer from Greek descent whose career spanned four decades.  Noted for his bald head and deep resonant voice, he is perhaps best known for portraying Lt. Theo Kojak on the crime drama series Kojak (1973-1978) and James Bond archvillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the film "On her Majesty's Secret Service" & "Birdman of Alcatraz".  He was nominated for the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.  As a singer Savalas released a cover of the Bread song "If" which became a UK No.1 in 1975. In this episode we pay tribute to this legendary artist who coined the phrase "Who Love's You Baby". 

Ένα αφιέρωμα σε όλες τις κινηματογραφικές ταινίες που δημιουργήθηκαν με αφορμή και κύριο θέμα την Ελληνική Επανάσταη του 1821.  Συνολικά δημιουργήθηκαν 25 ταινίες εντυπωσιακό είναι το γενονός ότι πολλές απο αυτές δεν έχουν προβληθεί καθόλου εώς πολύ λίγο απο την Ελληνική τηλεόραση.  

The 1821 Greek Revolution inspired all forms of art, this tribute is made on the bicentennial anniversary of the Greek Independence and it focuses on all the movies produced and dedicated to the cause of liberation. Classical films whose theme revolve around the battle and patriotic spirit of the heroes of the Greek Revolution.  Listen to the podcast and find out more

Dimitris "Mimis" Fotopoulos 8 April 1913 – 29 October 1986 was a Greek actor, writer, poet and academic. He was born in Zatouna, Gortynia, Arcadia. He studied at the Dramatic School of National Theatre. He performed in over 100 cinema movies and hundreds of theatrical plays. He also studied at the Philosophical School at the University of Athens until his second year in 1933. He wrote 7 books, of which four where poetic collections, three autobiographical and 2 theatrical plays. He was an artist that created many works of art with the technique of collage using stamps and showcased his work in 5 art exhebitions. He was a member of the Hellenic Actors Guild, a member of the Panhellenic Union of the Free Theatricals and President of the Armed Decree. He was honored with the golden cross of King George and the golden cross of Apostle Marc of the Patriarch of Alexandria.