Giorgos Mihalakopoulos

Giorgos Mihalakopoulos (28 February 1938 – 16 December 2023) was a distinguished Greek actor and director whose contributions to the arts spanned decades. Born in Athens, he honed his craft at the Drama School of the Art Theatre, where he laid the foundation for a prolific career. Mihalakopoulos made a significant impact in theatre, starring in notable productions such as "Crime and Punishment," "Death of a Salesman," "Every Thursday Mr. Green," and "The Price."

His cinematic journey included memorable performances in films like "Wake Up Santa Claus," "The Barber's Beauty," "A Knight for Vassula," and "The Gaze of Ulysses." On television, he became a household name in the 1970s with the critically acclaimed series "Him and Him," alongside Vasilis Diamantopoulos, and reprised his role in a 1990s remake.

Mihalakopoulos's talent earned him the prestigious Karolos Koun First Prize for Best Actor, along with the "Emilios Veakis" award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the performing arts. Beyond his artistic endeavors, he served as a municipal councilor in Athens from 1974 to 1986 and was the vice-president of KETHEA.

His personal life was intertwined with his profession, as he was married to actress Athina Michalakopoulou, with whom he had two daughters: Ioanna, a director, and Eleni, a painter. A self-identified leftist, Mihalakopoulos remained politically independent. He passed away at the age of 85 following a prolonged illness and was laid to rest at the First Cemetery of Athens on 20 December 2023.