Mihalis Giannatos

Mihalis Giannatos (Greek: Μιχάλης Γιαννάτος; 11 July 1941 – 17 September 2013), also known as Michael Yannatos, was a notable Greek actor born in Istanbul, Turkey. In 1964, he relocated to Greece amid the mass expulsion of Greeks from Istanbul.

Giannatos honed his craft at Konstantinos Demopoulos' drama school and made his professional debut in 1966 with Georgios Zervoulakos' film, *Oi stigmatismenoi* (Οι στιγματισμένοι). While still a student, he showcased his talent in the theatrical production *Capetan Michalis* (Καπετάν Μιχάλης), sharing the stage with renowned actor Manos Katrakis.

Throughout his extensive career, Giannatos featured in nearly 100 films, television series, and theatrical performances. He frequently collaborated with acclaimed director Theodoros Angelopoulos, becoming one of his favored actors. Following his performance in *Megalexandros* (Μεγαλέξανδρος) in 1981, Giannatos was a consistent presence in Angelopoulos' projects.

Fluent in five languages—Greek, Turkish, French, Italian, and Spanish—Giannatos was able to engage in various international productions. His impressive filmography includes notable titles such as *Midnight Express*, *Captain Corelli's Mandolin*, and *Munich*, showcasing his versatility and talent on a global stage.