Kostas Karras

Kostas Karras, born on June 21, 1936, in Athens, was a prominent Greek actor and politician whose career spanned several decades. He pursued his education in Political Science in London and honed his acting skills at the National Theatre's Drama School, graduating from the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Karras made his theatrical debut in 1963 with Agatha Christie’s "The Mousetrap" and quickly established a successful partnership with actress Ellie Lampeti, featuring in productions like Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" and Tennessee Williams's "Bus Stop."

Karras not only founded his own theatrical companies but also achieved acclaim for his performances in Nikolai Gogol's "Diary of a Madman" and Noël Coward's "The Evil Spirit." His film career, which began in 1961, is highlighted by his portrayal of Menelaus in Michael Cacoyannis' acclaimed film "Iphigenia" (1977). He also enjoyed a successful television career, appearing in numerous popular series, including "Our Father" on ANT1 from 1994 to 1996.

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Karras served in the Greek Parliament for the New Democracy party from 2000 to 2007 and was an honorary president of the charity Smile of the Child. He was known for his humanitarian efforts, organizing fundraisers for war victims and supporting vulnerable communities. Karras passed away from cancer on May 6, 2012, at the age of 75, leaving behind his wife Angeliki Baroutsou and their son, Vasilis. Angeliki later passed away on December 27, 2023.