Kostas Kazakos

Kostas Kazakos, born on May 29, 1935, in Pyrgos, Ilia, was a prominent Greek actor and director whose career spanned several decades and included significant contributions to both the arts and politics. He passed away on September 13, 2022.

Kazakos honed his craft at the Lykourgos Stavrakos Film School and the Karolos Koun Drama School of Theatre Arts, where he developed a strong foundation in acting and directing. His notable works include a celebrated adaptation of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata," for which he received the prestigious First Gold Award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in 1973, recognizing it as the most outstanding production of the event.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Kazakos was actively involved in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in both 2007 and 2009. His commitment to the arts was evident through his role as vice-president of the Greek Center of the International Theatre Institute. He was also a co-founder of the Free Theatre alongside Leon Trivizas and established the "Jenny Karezi" Foundation. Furthermore, Kazakos played a crucial role in cultural diplomacy as a founding member of the Hellenic-Arab Association and served on the Actor's Licensing Committee, leaving a lasting legacy in both the theatrical and political spheres of Greece.