Harry curated the first LGBTQ Film Festival and was one of the key organizers of the 1st Pride Parade in Cyprus. She received three Emmy nominations for her editing work on the non-fiction series The Mind of a Chef (PBS, Netflix). [29] In 2013, she starred in and executive-produced the 2013 film Montana Amazon, co-starring Haley Joel Osment. Its been just over a year since the death of Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis. A finalist for New Director of the Year at the 2016 shots Awards in London and winner of Best Test Commercial in North America at the 2015 Young Director Award in Cannes, Ryan's commercial direction has also received international acclaim from Porsche, Ciclope, and W3. This gritty formermill town served as the backdrop for the first nine years of Dukakis life. Her producing, credit for documentary includes the feature "The Case of Josephine H." by the renowned, Polish artist Izabella Gustowska which was released in the 2014 New Horizons International. I've always been ready to go first! Sid Ganis co-founded OUT OF THE BLUE ENTERTAINMENT with partner (and wife) Nancy Hult Ganis, in 1996 following a distinguished career as an executive at major studios including Sony Pictures, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros., Paramount, and Columbia Pictures. You could easily have envisioned her as the shrink on The Sopranos but then, with a nudge, it wouldnt be hard to imagine her as Tony Sopranos mother, since even in the quaintest settings Olympia Dukakis had a stealth power and an old-world comfortableness with the dark side. The actress made her Broadway debut in The Aspern Papers in 1962, and the stage had been her first love. She also adapted such plays as "Mother Courage" and "The Trojan Women" for the theater company. Winning the Oscar led inevitably to more recognition, though not necessarily bigger parts. She was nominated for the Canadian Academy Award for The Event (2003) and in the middle of the first decade of the 21st century, her roles included 3 Needles, The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines, In the Land of Women, and Away From Her, the 2006 film which cast her alongside Gordon Pinsent as the spouses of two Alzheimer's patients. The family has not disclosed an official cause of death. In 1999, she premiered a one-woman play "Rose," at the National Theatre in London and subsequently on Broadway in 2000. The actress referred to her 1988 win as the year of the Dukakii because it was also the year Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, her cousin, was the Democratic Partys presidential nominee. [2], Olympia Dukakis (Greek: ) was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on June 20, 1931, the daughter of Alexandra "Alec" (ne Christos) and Constantine "Costa" S. But then, that's really the fate of many women today. "My ambition wasn't to win the Oscar. She was 89. Olympia Dukakis won an Oscar for her performance in Moonstruck Credit: Getty Seven best Olympia Dukakis quotes "The year of the Dukakii." (Dukakis was referring to 1988, when she won an Oscar and when cousin Michael Dukakis earned the Democratic nomination for president). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I-I just wanna *hit* somebody 'til they feel as bad as I do! Dukakis died at her home with her daughter Christina Zorich by her side, the family said in a statement. Olympia Dukakis, a character actress best known for her Oscar-winning supporting turn in Norman Jewison's " Moonstruck " and for her role as the wealthy widow in " Steel Magnolias ," has died.. At the same time as she had picked up the Oscar for Moonstruck, her first cousin Michael Dukakis began his unsuccessful quest for the presidency against George HW Bush. The company's first play was Our Town, in 1973. In role after role, she spoke mom: imperious, testy, kind, haughty and, in the end, always looking out for you. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. Long a vital, respected thespian of the classic and contemporary stage, this grand lady did not become a household name and sought-after film actress until age 56 when she turned in a glorious, Oscar-winning performance as Cher 's sardonic mother in the romantic comedy Moonstruck (1987). She was seen again at Shakespeare & Co. in the summer of 2013 as the title role in "Mother Courage and Her Children. Olympia Dukakis, the veteran stage and screen actor whose flair for maternal roles helped her win an Oscar as Cher's mother in the romantic comedy Moonstruck, has died. Id like to take a photograph of your hands. She was bestowed the National Arts Club Medal of Honor and her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was placed in 2013. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pair met while auditioning for an off-Broadway play. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much in a career that spanned more than six decades, actor olympia dukakis appeared in classic stage plays like ibsen's peer gynt, sophocles' electra, and eugene o'neill's long day's journey into night, but it was her performance as cher's sardonic mother, rose castorini, in the 1987 romantic comedy moonstruck that brought her fameand an academy Not so for Dukakis. Having long established herself as a respected stage actress and veteran performer in dozens of film and television projects, Olympia Dukakis achieved overnight stardom at the tender age of 56 with her Oscar-winning portrayal in "Moonstruck" (1987). Harry has dual citizenship from the United States and Cyprus. [33][34], In 2018, Olympia, an American documentary film about her life and career, had its festival premiere at DOC NYC. Commercial clients have included McDonalds, Bombas, Skagen, American Express, and Storyhunter. Her no-nonsense demeanor, her candor, her feistiness, her political bent, her sexual mores, and her strident disapproval of the sins of patriarchy, all took root during her formative years. Dukakis's autobiography, Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress, was published in 2003. Olympia Dukakis and Cher hold the Golden Globes they won in January 1988 for their performances in "Moonstruck." Paul composed music for Liev Schreibers Everything Is, Illuminated. A fourth version, Armistead Maupins Tales of the City, was streamed on Netflix in 2019. She held her Oscar high over her head at the ceremony and called out: OK, Michael, lets go!. Playing characters like the flinty principal of Mr. All rights reserved. From rebelling against her overbearing Greek mother to starting her own theatre company, Mavromichalis reveals both the public and private aspects of a woman who faced obstacle after obstacle as she learned how to be comfortable in her own skin and live life with blazing courage. In 2017, she worked in the production of 'Okja' and 'Sense 8'. Sam has been working in Brooklyn for the last 10 years as an editor, assistant editor, and writer on many documentary feature films and television shows. There were no gates, no fences, no security. Bonnie Low-Kramen was the personal assistant to the actor Olympia Dukakis for 25 years. She starred in a documentary about her life, "Olympia" (2019) the same year that she returned to one of her most famous roles in a reboot of "Tales of the . The family has not disclosed an official cause of death. She gained a BA in physical therapy at Boston University, later returning to study performing arts for a master of fine arts degree. Over the duration of their marriage, she and her husband have experienced shared successes, appearing together in "Long Day's Journey Into Night," "Camino Real, "The Three Sisters" and "The Seagull," among many others. She played mom to such leads as Dustin Hoffman in John and Mary (1969), Joseph Bologna in the cult comedy Made for Each Other (1971) and Ray Sharkey in The Idolmaker (1980). Hollands Opus or the trans landlord Anna Madrigal over four installments of Tales of the City, she had the mien of a psychiatrist: a debonair empath with X-ray vision and pouffy white-custard hair, articulating the stubborn truths other characters were bound to resist. Olympia herself was a delegate from New Jersey at the 1988 Democratic national convention. In Dad (1989), as a woman laid up with a heart attack watching her husband (Jack Lemmon) enjoying a certain freedom, she is wickedly funny, putting a tincture of venom into almost every line. In crafting his revealing bio-documentary Olympia, Greek American filmmaker Harry Mavromichalis had unprecedented access to Olympia, her family, and the story of her life. Across that span, productions included the works of Euripides, Eugene O'Neill, Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, and Lanford Wilson. [13], Dukakis' prolific stage directing credits include many of the classics: Orpheus Descending, The House of Bernarda Alba, Uncle Vanya, and A Touch of the Poet, as well as the more contemporary; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Kennedy's Children. Olympia Dukakis, the Oscar-winning actress who brought beloved roles like Rose Castorini in Moonstruck and Clairee in Steel Magnolias to life, has died at the age of 89. Efforts at assimilation continued to evade her. Olympia Dukakis, theater veteran and Oscar-winning 'Moonstruck' actress, dies at 89. After more than two decades of distinguished work in the US theatre as an actor, director and teacher, and appearances in a dozen or so films, Olympia Dukakis, who has died aged 89, became. They had four grandchildren. Pamela Spyrs is a publicist, producer and activist based in Southern California who has accumulated a vast network of artists, filmmakers, designers, environmental game changers, and humanitarian leaders. As Director of Photography,Ryan has shot three feature documentaries as well as numerous commercialsand branded content. She taught acting at NYU and gave master classes for professional theatre companies, colleges, and universities across the country. Discovery Company. 1972: Ruth Buzzi - Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Among her many roles were starring turns in "Steel Magnolias," "Mr. Holland's Opus," and "Look Who's Talking.". See what he found. She was additionally seen in episodes of Bored to Death (2009), and TV movies The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000) (Judi Dench), Sinatra (1992) (Golden Globe Nominee), and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999) (Emmy Nominee). With a career spanning thirty years, and 45recorded albumin the United States, Europeand Greece,Alexia changed Greek record sales history with her series of gold and platinum albums for CBS-Columbia, Air Music, Polygram, Universal Music, BMG, and Sony Music Internationalin the genres of Pop, Jazz, Improvisation/ Experimental, Worldand Film Music. In addition to decades in the theater and an award-winning film career, Dukakis also taught drama classes at New York University. And then just as quickly, threaded her fingers together as if in prayer. Walter Mitty (2013) and 20th Century Fox in the films Epic (2013), Rio 2 (2014) and Ferdinand (2017). CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The play earned her an Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award nomination and she continues to tour the country with it.Olympia was seen on the New York stage in the Roundabout Theatre's production of "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore" (2011), in San Francisco in A.C.T. 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. The news of the Oscar winner's passing was shared by her brother, Apollo Dukakis, on Facebook.. "My beloved sister . Sally Struthers - All in the Family. Andrew Fords recent feature length producing and editing credits include 'The Seventh Fire' (Berlin International Film Festival), 'Down the Shore (Anchor Bay, Starz, starring James Gandolfini and Famke Janssen), 'Killing Kasztner' (Toronto International Film Festival), 'A Walk to Beautiful' (Emmy winner, IDA best documentary feature winner, 5 audience awards), released theatrically and broadcast on Nova, and 'Until the Light Takes Us' (Golden Athena award winner for Best Documentary), focusing on Norwegian black metal music and enjoyed a worldwide theatrical release. She also became a master instructor at New York University for fourteen years. At the 1988 Academy Awards, Dukakis won best supporting actress while Cher took home the best actress award for their performances in the film. November 30, 1962 - January 30, 2018 (his death, 3 children), The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999). After working professionally as a modern dancer and choreographer he went back to school and received his Masters in Film Directing from New York University. I-I don't think I can take this! Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Olympia was the daughter of Constantine Dukakis and Alexandra (nee Christos), both Greek immigrants. Stern but perpetually amused, with a warm leer of a grin that could light up a scene, she looked like the comedy and tragedy masks fused together. And yet, this ethnic commonality did little to ease her entry into the social circles of the neighborhood. She earned two degrees from Boston University, one in Physical Therapy and one in Acting. I have a willingness to engage that is rooted in being Greek, a willingness to take on a fight. Voiced with her signature gravelly timbre, Olympia told her truth, loudly and often. Has To Travel (2011), Woody Allen: A Documentary (2012), and most recently Jane Fonda in Five Acts (2018). Alicia Vikander [a l i s a v k a n d r] [1] couter, est une actrice sudoise, ne le 3 octobre 1988 Gteborg ().. Elle a acquis, depuis le film sudois Pure (Till det som r vackert, 2010), une stature internationale.Elle est considre comme une des toiles montantes du cinma europen, comme en tmoignent les nombreux prix qui lui ont t dcerns [2]. She performed in more than 130 stage productions, more than 60 films and in 50 television series. Dukakis, with that noodgy droll gleam, let you know the answer was both. 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Paul Cantelon is an American composer of film scores and contemporary classical music. Biography. Michael Dukakis began his unsuccessful quest for the presidency. Dukakis was born to Greek immigrant parents in Massachusetts in 1931. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the role. [18] The role of a no-nonsense matriarch, Rose Castorini, plays off Cher's Best Actress Award-winning role as daughter Loretta. Movie (and TV) fans then discovered what East coast theater-going audiences had uncovered decades before -- Olympia Dukakis was an acting treasure. [37], In 1962, Dukakis married fellow Manhattan stage actor Louis Zorich. In the early 90s, Paul formed the eclectic band, Wild Colonials, with the singer, Angela McCluskey, recording two albums for Geffen Records and performing with such artists as Joe Cocker, The Kinks, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Clinton, Rickie Lee Jones, King Crimson and Ry Cooder. Amanda Blake - Gunsmoke. Feed one more bite of my food to your dogs, old man, and Ill kick you to death, she tells her father-in-law at the dinner table. Featuring interviews with Laura Linney, Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Ladd, Lainie Kazan and Armistead Maupin, Olympiaseamlessly blends past and present culminating on the steps of the Dukakis' humble ancestral home in Lesbos, Greece where we see Olympia's life come full circle. Thats a fitting reference, since Dukakis was of Greek heritage and, in a stage career that stretched back to 1961, appeared in classics from Electra to Titus Andronicus to Long Days Journey Into Night. Yet even when she was carving out her place in movies and TV, often cast as the Grande Dame Whos Smarter Than Anyone in the Room (its telling that she took on that role as far back as the 1969 Dustin Hoffman/Mia Farrow trifle John and Mary, when she was just 38), the Dukakis face, part cherub and part statue, made it seem that whatever reality she was confronting, she saw the absurdity of it, and the heartbreak as well. High over her head at the 1988 Democratic National convention NYU and gave classes! Dies at 89 50 television series the death of Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis for years. She taught acting at NYU and gave master classes for professional Theatre companies, colleges, and Storyhunter,,! Worked in the Aspern Papers in 1962, Dukakis also taught drama classes New. There were no gates, no fences, no fences, no fences, no fences, no fences no! Liev Schreibers Everything is, Illuminated documentaries as well as numerous commercialsand branded content droll,. 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