Top 40 Most Popular Greek Actors Of All Time

 

There is no denying that Greece is acknowledged for being the Birthplace of Democracy and the Cradle of Western Civilization. Indeed, history has it that Greeks have made significant contributions to philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.

 

However, it is a bit underrated when it comes to its cinema. Not many people are aware of the fact that a number of skilled Greek performers have gone on to wow the audience with their undeniable presence in movies and television shows over the years.

 

Matter of fact, some of them have even won international acclaim for their acclaimed performances. It is not surprising given that theatre has always been an important aspect of Greek culture and has influenced modern drama in more ways than one.

 

While there are many Greek Americans in the film industry who work behind the camera, our focus today is going to be on some of the most prominent Greek entertainers of all time who have gone on to charm the viewers with their on-screen heroics.

 

We all know that the hilarious ‘Hangover’ star Zack Galifianakis is half Greek, but how many of us are aware of the fact that the magnificent Hugh Jackman has Greek roots as well?

 

Not only them but even the legendary Tom Hanks has now officially been granted Greek citizenship along with his family.

 

Needless to mention, this small nation situated in the southern part of Europe is not only famous for its ancient civilization, medicine and philosophies but also for its supremely talented and likeable artists.

 

Therefore, we have decided to come up with a list of some of the most popular Greek actors (male) to have ever been in the spotlight. Thanks to them, people today now know that Greece is much more than just the ultimate holiday destination.

 

 

 

1. Tom Hanks

 

 

 

Tom Hanks is one name we’re certain most of you were not expecting to discover on our list. However, it would be wise on our part to inform you that Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson, and their children were granted honorary Greek citizenship for their role in bringing attention to a devastating wildfire near Athens in the July of 2018.

 

A renowned global movie star in the true sense of the word, the Forrest Gump actor is known for his portrayal of comedic and dramatic roles in some of the finest movies to have ever been bankrolled in Hollywood.

 

Regarded as an American cultural icon, the acclaimed screen performer has won two Academy Awards for his performances and six Primetime Emmy Awards for his work as a producer.

 

Of late, Hanks has been seen putting his incredible talent and knack for performing on display in critically acclaimed titles such as A Man Called Otto and Elvis.

 

 

 

2. Hugh Jackman

 

 

 

The ever-so-charming Hugh Jackman made his acting debut in the television show Law of the Land in 1994. We realize that a lot many of you do not know this but the man has Greek roots as well.

 

One of Jackman’s paternal great-grandfathers was Greek, which is perhaps why he has gone on record to confess that he’s open to playing a part in a Greek movie if he’s ever given an opportunity to.

 

Best known for portraying James “Logan” Howlett/Wolverine in the X-Men series of feature films, the star has been the recipient of two Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, respectively.

 

The superstar has made his presence felt in feature films pertaining to different genres. However, it is imperative to mention that the popular actor is also known for his early theatre roles in Beauty and the Beast, Sunset Boulevard, Oklahoma!, and The Boy from OZ, to mention a few.

 

Some of the finest credits of his career so far are Logan, The Greatest Showman, Eddie the Eagle, The Prestige, and Prisoners.

 

 

 

3. Zach Galifianakis

 

 

 

Zachary Knight Galifianakis, known popularly as Zach Galifianakis, is often seen playing characters that are not only bizarre and socially awkward but also unabashedly comical.

 

Don’t believe us? Watch his stupendous performances in films such as Due Date, The Hangover, and Dinner for Schmucks.

 

While his paternal grandparents, Emmanuel “Mike” Galifianakis and Sophia Kastrinakis were Greek immigrants from the island of Crete, his mother’s ancestry is Scottish, English, Welsh, French Huguenot, and Irish.

 

Not a lot of people are aware of the fact that Zach was baptized in the Greek Orthodox church as a child. He shot to fame after partaking in the very successful and popular The Hangover trilogy of motion pictures.

 

That being said, the talented actor has also made his presence felt in the FX series Baskets. For his performance in the same, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2017.

 

 

 

4. Vasilis Logothetidis

 

 

 

One of the most prominent Greek actors of all time, Vasilis Logothetidis shot to fame for his work as a comedian.

 

Just a year after having graduated from school, he started to participate as an amateur actor in local shows; an endeavour that helped him sharpen his skills for his future projects.

 

Logothetidis, who was among the first Greek actors to ever appear in a film as a protagonist, featured in more than 110 Greek comedies and over 200 international plays throughout his career.

 

Some of the plays that he was a part of were As You Like It, Arsenic and Old Lace, Knock, and Volpone. The man is also said to have performed with his own theatre company from 1947 onwards.

 

 

5. Ralph Macchio

 

 

 

Ralph George Macchio Jr., who is better known as Ralph Macchio, made his feature film debut with Up the Academy in 1980.

 

Famous for his role in the hit classic film The Karate Kid, the actor is one-quarter Greek. We say so because his beloved father is half Greek and half Italian while his mother is Italian.

 

Macchio is also known for playing a substantial part in motion pictures such as My Cousin Vinny, Hitchcock, and The Outsiders. In addition, he can be seen reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso in the action comedy-drama Netflix series Cobra Kai.

 

The actor used to take tap dancing lessons as a teenager. Sooner than later, he was discovered by a talent agent; thus, kick-starting his journey in the entertainment industry. 

 

While he was seen portraying a role in a season of the TV series Eight Is Enough, he gained attention for his character projection of Johnny Cade in the 1983 flick The Outsiders.

 

His work in the movie ended up providing him with the opportunity to star in the 1984 hit, The Karate Kid.

 

 

6. Hank Azaria

 

 

 

This actor, comedian, producer, and voice actor has a Greek-Jewish background. Both his maternal and paternal grandparents reportedly came from the city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece.

 

After having made his acting debut in the second half of the 1980s, Hank Azaria gained recognition for his live-action roles in mainstream projects such as Along Came Polly, Godzilla, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, and The Birdcage, among others.

 

Be that as it may, the actor is best recognized for voicing many characters in the globally popular animated sitcom, The Simpsons. He went on to receive six Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance in the show.

 

 

7. Anastasios “Sakis” Rouvas

 

 

 

Popularly known as Sakis, this multi-talented personality made his full-length feature film debut with 2007’s Alter Ego. However, he is known to have lent his voice to characters in the Greek-dubbed versions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Cars.

 

His popularity in his home country can be gauged from the fact that he is the only Greek singer to have ever been offered to be the face of soft drinks giant Pepsi. Aside from being a singer and actor, Rouvas is also a businessman and former pole vaulter and model.

 

 

8. Alexis Georgoulis

 

 

 

Alexis Georgoulis made his feature film debut with 1999’s Original Sin. He has also served as a Member of the European Parliament for Greece; a position that most certainly added to his popularity.

 

The actor, who began acting with local drama schools in 1996, was accepted to the Vasilis Diamantopoulos’ Jasmine drama school the following year.

 

Often referred to as the “George Clooney of Greece”, he was elected to the European Parliament in 2019. Thankfully for fans of the rather obscure Greek cinema, he used his term and position for the promotion of the same.

 

 

9. Andreas Voutsinas

 

 

 

Andreas Voutsinas was a Sudanese-Greek actor and theatre director who commenced his journey in the film industry at the onset of the 1960s.

 

To the viewers in the English-speaking world, he was known for his character projection in three Mel Brooks films, namely The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, and History of the World, Part I.

 

The actor, who has participated in features helmed by Jules Dassin and Luc Besson, is also credited with directing more than 130 performances of classical and contemporary repertoire in London, Paris, New York, Canada, and Greece.

 

He is also known to have trained actors such as Jane Fonda, Faye Dunaway, and Warren Beatty.

 

 

10. Kostas Sommer

 

 

 

This Greek-German lobbyist, entrepreneur, actor, and television host started his acting career by appearing in an episode of the television series Aliki in 2001.

 

Kostas Sommer got the opportunity to play his first Hollywood role when he appeared as a Greek gigolo in the film Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.

 

He is a well-known Greek celebrity who has made a name for himself by featuring in numerous magazines and commercials as a model.

 

 

11. Petros Filippidis

 

 

 

Petros Filippidis commenced his acting career in 1991. He is known to have participated in quite a few ancient Greek comedies, such as Thesmophoriazusae and The Birds.

 

He found fame and acknowledgment after having featured in the comedy television series High Rock in 1993. After his stint on the aforementioned show, he was seen in a few other film and television productions as well.

 

Among his other well-known projects is another television show, titled 50-50.

 

 

12. Tolis Voskopoulos

 

 

 

One of the true-blue legends of modern Greek music, Tolis Voskopoulos was also known to have featured in many films.

 

Additionally, the actor and composer played in the theatre in Athens. Even though the popular Greek entertainer is primarily remembered for his contributions to music, one simply cannot ignore the fact that he made his amiable presence felt in numerous motion pictures as well, starting from the 1960 flick Three Dolls and I.

 

 

13. Spiros Focás

 

 

 

Spiros Focás, born Spyridon Androutsopoulos, made his professional acting debut during the late 1950s. One of Greece’s most respected and better-known screen actors, he was luckily discovered by legendary Italian director Luchino Visconti.

 

Not long after that, he got the opportunity to play the main lead in the classic feature Rocco and His Brothers.

 

Focás went on to partake in quite a few Italian and Greek projects during the 1960s and 1970s after having made his screen debut at the fag end of the 1950s.

 

Not only was he able to collaborate with famous directors such as Vincente Minnelli and Ferdinando Baldi but he also soon started making his presence felt in Hollywood productions.

 

 

14. John Phillip Stamos

 

 

 

This American actor and musician, who made his small screen debut by featuring in the soap opera General Hospital, was born to a Greek father.

 

For his performance in General Hospital, he was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

 

The actor continued to shine by playing significant roles in well-known television shows such as Full House, ER, and You.

 

The national spokesperson for Project Cuddle, he not only executive produced the Netflix series Fuller House but also reprised the role of Jesse Katsopolis in the same.

 

 

15. Billy Zane

 

 

 

William George Zane Jr., who is known within the cinematic universe as Billy Zane, made his acting debut in the iconic science fiction feature, Back to the Future.

 

Born to parents of Greek descent, the actor shot to fame after portraying the dismissive Caledon Hockley in James Cameron’s mammoth global blockbuster, Titanic.

 

He had previously managed to grab eyeballs after delivering a splendid performance in the 1989 film Dead Calm. In fact, his performance earned him a nomination for the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actor.

 

Zane can also be seen in television and film projects such as Twin Peaks, The Phantom, and The Believer, to mention a few.

 

 

16. Nico Minardos

 

 

 

Nico Minardos is a Greek-American screen performer who made his feature film debut by playing a number of uncredited roles in popular mainstream features. He is best recognized for his work on television.

 

Courtesy of his dusky look and accent, he was often seen being cast as a Mexican. However, the actor decided to call it a day and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida during the 1990s and 2000s.

 

A documentary trying to cover his personal and professional life, titled Finding Nico, was produced and directed by his godson Owen Prell.

 

 

17. Elias Koteas

 

 

 

Elias Koteas is a well-recognized Canadian screen performer who has made his presence felt in several Hollywood credits as well.

 

However, not a lot many people are aware of the fact that he was born to Greek parents. The actor was first seen playing an uncredited role in 1980’s Atlantic City. Today, he is known to have appeared in three films that have been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: Atlantic City, The Thin Red Line, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

 

Best known for portraying the character of Alvin “Al” Olinsky in the Chicago franchise, Koteas received the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor for his superb performance in the feature film Ararat.

 

 

18. Orestis Makris

 

 

 

Decorated with the Order of the Phoenix, this Greek actor and tenor graduated from the Athens Conservatoire. Soon after completing his graduation, he burst onto the scene as a tenor in the troupe of Rozalia Nika in 1925.

 

Later, he decided to join the Papaioannou troupe and, eventually, started taking up roles that were even more humorous in nature.

 

Makris made a mark by playing folk characters. Those who have been fortunate enough to see him perform would remember that he was seen embodying the quintessential “drunkard” more often than not.

 

However, when it came to his film projects, the entertainer was mainly seen portraying an authoritarian father.

 

 

19. Lakis Lazopoulos

 

 

 

Lakis Lazopoulos, who is a playwright, actor, and songwriter, was ranked 83rd by the public in Skai TV’s list of the Great Greeks in 2009.

 

Best known for Deka mikroi Mitsoi, R20, and My Best Friend, he received his Master’s degree in Law from the University of Thessaloniki. However, he decided not to pursue law anymore, and, instead, stepped into the enticing world of glitz and glamour.

 

Not only has Lazopoulos appeared in stage plays but he has also been a part of numerous television shows and mainstream movies. In fact, the man was called the most powerful Greek celebrity by Forbes in 2010.

 

 

20. Romain Gavras

 

 

 

Son of French journalist and film producer, Michèle Ray-Gavras, and Greek-French film director, Costa-Gavras, Romain Gavras is better known for his work as a director than as an actor.

 

His second film, The World Is Yours (Le Monde est à toi), was screened at the Directors’ Fortnight during the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

 

Gavras is also known to have co-founded the film collective Kourtrajmé with his childhood friend Kim Chapiron in the mid-1990s.

 

 

21. Théo Sarapo

 

 

 

Theophanis Lamboukas, who was professionally known as Théo Sarapo, failed to have an extended screen career due to his untimely demise just a few years after having begun his cinematic journey.

 

Born in Paris to Greek parents, the actor and singer shot to fame after scoring a hit with Piaf in 1962 with the song “À quoi ça sert l’amour?” (What Good Is Love?).

 

Soon after, his solo hits such as “La maison qui ne chante plus” (The House Which No Longer Sings) and “Ce jour viendra” (That Day Will Come) fetched him further recognition.

 

That said, his best-known feature film as a screen performer was Judex, which was also his debut project.

 

 

22. Adonis Kapsalis

 

 

 

This Greek-American actor, writer, producer, and voice-over artist graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

 

He made his professional acting debut by featuring in the popular television series Sex and the City. However, he is known for participating in film and television shows such as The Sky is Blue, Homeland, As The World Turns, and Meteora as well.

 

Kapsalis is also reported to have voiced several characters in a few episodes of the docu-drama, titled The Space Race.

 

 

23. Panos Mouzourakis

 

 

 

Panos Mouzourakis, who made his professional acting debut in 2007, is a Greek artist, singer, songwriter, and actor, who is perhaps best known for his appearance on television shows such as S1ngles and 4.

 

The entertainer had been attracted to music ever since he was a kid. When he turned 17, he started appearing as a performer in small music shows in his vicinity.

 

He started getting noticed for his singing after having arrived in Greece during the first of the 2000s. Soon after, Mouzourakis began his acting lessons and readied himself for his screen debut just a couple of years later.

 

 

24. Yorgo Voyagis

 

 

 

Yorgo Voyagis made his feature film debut by playing a part in 1964’s Zorba the Greek. Best known for features such as Frantic, The City of Lost Children, and Delicatessen, he has been a part of Greek, French, and Italian productions throughout his career.

 

Voyagis, who has been married to Diana Scorits since 2005, tried to keep a balance between his film and television appearances. The Killer Kid actor continues to remain active in Greece and Italy.

 

 

25. Dinos Iliopoulos

 

 

 

One of the most prevalent film and theater actors in the history of Greek cinema, Dinos Iliopoulos made his motion picture debut with the release of Madame Sousou in 1948.

 

Even though he was born in Alexandria, Egypt, he moved to Marseille with his family later and ended up finishing his high school studies there.

 

After having taken lessons in acting at the Drama School of Giannoulis Sarantidis, he made his awaited stage debut in 1944.

 

Iliopoulos soon established himself as a reliable screen actor and was, therefore, seen in over 100 films and television shows throughout his career.

 

He also played a significant role in O Drakos; a film that is considered to be one of the finest to have ever been produced in Greece.

 

 

26. Christos Vasilopoulos

 

 

 

Best known for portraying Lefteri on Erotas, this very talented Greek theatre, television and film actor made his maiden screen appearance in 1999’s The Mating Game.

 

The performer, who appeared as Olek in the first season of the Cinemax series Banshee, was married to Antonia Ventouras from 2011 until 2014.

 

He is also known to have featured in projects such as The Last Ship, Blindspot, Whiskey Cavalier, and Warrior, to mention a few.

 

 

27. Nicholas Pettas

 

 

 

Nicholas Pettas is a former heavyweight kickboxer and actor who is of Danish and Greek descent. He made his motion picture debut by starring in 1995’s Winds of God.

 

Known for his potent low kicks, he was the winner of the K-1 Japan Grand Prix in 2001. He currently resides in Japan and can be seen making appearances in Japanese cinema and television.

 

One of his best-known roles came in the television drama Change, in which he starred alongside Kimura Takuya. He has also been seen co-presenting the NHK World television show Imagine-nation.

 

 

28. Christos Stergioglou

 

 

 

Christos Stergioglou has recently been seen participating in the Channel 4 sitcom Stath Lets Flats. He made his acting debut in the 1981 motion picture To ergostasio.

 

A recipient of the award for Best Actor at the 2002 Thessaloniki International Film Festival, he has been a part of more than 30 film and television projects in his career so far.

 

Some of his better-known credits are Dogtooth, The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas, Interruption, and A Dog’s Dream.

 

 

29. Titos Vandis

 

 

 

Titos Vandis made his feature film debut in 1953’s The Key of Happiness. He is known to have performed on stage and in the movies in his home country before taking a call to settle down for good in Hollywood.

 

Not only was he usually seen portraying a Greek Orthodox bishop but he could also be glimpsed stepping into the shoes of a principled and resilient father from time to time.

 

The actor won the Best Actor award for the film Poliorkia at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 1962. Vandis appeared in over 250 plays and more than 100 mainstream projects throughout the course of his acting journey.

 

 

30. Jacques Damala

 

 

 

Jacques Damala, who was also known as Aristides Damalas, was in the military before he turned to the movies later in his career. The fact that he was the husband of actor Sarah Bernhardt for a few years kept him in the spotlight as well.

 

However, he did not really have a personality one would aspire to emulate. Not only was he known to have been addicted to drugs and women but he also enjoyed his alcohol.

 

That said, Damala was often referred to as the “most handsome man in Europe at the time.” Therefore, it was only about time before he turned his attention to acting.

 

 

31. Vasilis Avlonitis

 

 

 

One of the most renowned old-school Greek comedians, Vasilis Avlonitis was seen making his remarkable presence felt in numerous feature films and stage productions during the mid to late 20th century.

 

The actor made his screen debut in 1927 and was perhaps best known for collaborating with Georgia Vasiliadou in his many cinematic endeavors.

 

As good as he was at comedy, Avlonitis also played characters that had the eventual tendency of delving into drama.

 

 

32. Charis Romas

 

 

 

Charis Romas, who is also known as Haris Romas, decided to step into the complex world of entertainment during the first half of the 1980s.

 

Born Haralambos Rassias, he is best known for co-writing and starring in popular television shows such as Konstantinou kai Elenis and To kafe tis Charas.

 

Romas is also a politician who participated in the Greek local elections in 2019. That said, it has to be mentioned that his decision to take up acting did not really go down well with his parents.

 

In fact, his father stopped speaking to him after he confessed his aspirations of becoming a mainstream screen performer to him. Thankfully, he was able to achieve what he wished to.

 

 

33. Dimitris Horn

 

 

 

Dimitris Horn was born to a well-known Greek playwright. He is known to have studied at the Drama School of the National Theater of Greece.

 

While he went on to collaborate with the National Theater quite a few times in his career, he also attempted to make personal stage groups with other popular screen actors.

 

Horn delivered splendid performances in classics such as The Diary of a Madman, Richard III, Don Juan, and Henry IV; each of which helped him in affirming his stature as one of the finest actors of his time.

 

Even though he didn’t feature in more than ten mainstream motion pictures, a few of them went on to gain cult status over the years.

 

 

34. Mimis Fotopoulos

 

 

 

Mimis Fotopoulos made his professional acting debut in 1948’s Madame Sousou. Throughout the course of his acting journey, he featured in over 100 projects. That said, it is imperative to mention that besides being an actor, the man was also a talented writer, poet, and artist.

 

He studied at the Dramatic School of National Theatre. Later in 1952, he attained the experience of heading a theatrical company. He passed away in Athens due to a heart attack in 1986.

 

 

35. Stathis Psaltis

 

 

 

Stathis Psaltis was an actor who was best known for appearing in Greek cinema, television, and theatre. He shot to fame in the 1980s after having featured in a number of mainstream commercial entertainers during the period.

 

Courtesy of his presence in the movies, the actor went on to become a household name over time. Psaltis, who was married to Christina with a daughter, made his acting debut by playing a role in the 1972 flick Diamonds on Her Naked Flesh.

 

 

36. Vangelis Protopapas

 

 

 

Vangelis Protopapas was a respected screen actor who will perhaps be remembered for having frequently performed with the great Greek comedian Vasilis Logothetidis.

 

The duo appeared in nine motion pictures together. Protopapas, however, made his big screen debut in 1947’s Marina. Some of his finest roles came in features such as A Hero in His Slippers, Santa Chikita, and The Counterfeit Coin.

 

Later in his career, he was also seen portraying a number of distinct characters in numerous television shows.

 

 

37. Giorgos Foundas

 

 

 

Giorgos Foundas made his professional acting debut with the release of Applause in 1944. Born in Parnassida, Greece, he was an actor and producer, who was perhaps best known for his participation in features such as The Asphalt Fever, With Glittering Eyes, and The Shepherdess’ Lover.

 

The man is remembered for having played the part of Fotis Glaros in both the movie and television adaptations of the novel “Galini” by Ilias Venezis.

 

 

38. John Anthony Aniston

 

 

 

John Aniston, who was born Yannis Anastassakis, started to make his presence felt within the entertainment industry with the onset of the 1960s.

 

This Greek-born American screen performer is best known for his character projection of Victor Kiriakis on the NBC daytime drama series Days of Our Lives.

 

The father of film star Jennifer Aniston, John is a devotee of William Shakespeare and has several first-edition copies of Romeo and Juliet in his possession.

 

 

39. Stratos Tzortzoglou

 

 

 

Stratos Tzortzoglou, who was born Efstratios Tzortzoglou, made his motion picture debut by playing part in the 1988 flick Landscape in the Mist.

 

Stage director Karolos Koun is credited with discovering him in 1987; just a year before he made his debut screen appearance.

 

Stratos made sure to take lessons at Karolos Koun’s Art Theater school before having made his professional acting debut. The actor can be seen making his presence felt in features such as The Striker with Number 9 and Pano kato ke plagios, among others.

 

 

40. Sakis Boulas

 

 

 

Besides being a singer and songwriter, Sakis Boulas was also an actor who started to appear in television series and films in the second half of the 1970s.

 

Born in Kilkis and raised in Piraeus, he recorded several studio albums and wrote songs for other musicians as well. Aside from acting, Boulas has even contributed as a narrator for the documentary film Arkadi 1866.