Olympia Dukakis

Olympia Dukakis was an American movie actress known for her versatile roles and exceptional acting skills. She won the Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose in the 1987 film Moonstruck, and she also appeared in In the Land of Women. She was born on June 20, 1931, in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, and was of Greek descent.

Olympia Dukakis was born to Alexandra and Constantine Dukakis, both of whom were Greek immigrants. Her cousin, Michael Dukakis, is a well-known politician who once held the office of Governor of Massachusetts and also ran for the Presidency of the United States. Olympia grew up in an environment that valued education and hard work. She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts and later received a Master's degree in Theater from Tufts University.

Olympia Dukakis began her acting career in the 1960s, performing in regional theater productions. She made her film debut in 1964's Lilith and appeared in a number of small roles in films and television shows throughout the 1970s. However, it was her role as Rose in Moonstruck that propelled her to Hollywood stardom and earned her numerous accolades and awards, including the Oscar Award. In addition to her film work, Olympia Dukakis also worked extensively in theater, both acting and directing plays.

Known for her strong will and outspoken nature, Olympia Dukakis was a fierce advocate for causes such as women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and AIDS awareness. She believed in using her platform to speak out about causes she felt passionate about and was known for being an intelligent and articulate speaker.

Before becoming famous, Olympia Dukakis faced many challenges and difficulties, including discrimination due to her Greek heritage and a struggle to establish herself in the male-dominated world of theater and film. However, she persevered through these challenges, and with her talent and determination, she became a successful actress and a respected leader in her industry.

In 1962, Olympia Dukakis married actor Louis Zorich, and the couple remained together until his death in 2018. They had three children together, daughter Christina Zorich and sons Stefan and Peter Zorich. Olympia Dukakis was a devoted mother and grandmother and was widely beloved by her family and friends.

Olympia Dukakis was admired and respected by many in the industry, including her colleagues and fans. She had a close friendship with Cher, her co-star in Moonstruck, and was also known to be a mentor to young actresses, providing them with guidance and support as they navigated their careers. She will be remembered as an icon in the world of film and theater, a trailblazer for women in the industry, and a passionate advocate for social justice causes.