Irene Papas, the Greek actress who enchanted American audiences with roles in such blockbusters as “Z,” “Zorba the Greek” and “The Guns of Navarone,” died Wednesday at the age of 96.
A spokesman for the Greek Culture Ministry confirmed Papas’ death to The New York Times. Although a cause of death was not immediately provided, the actress’ five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease was first reported in 2018, according to the newspaper.
“She balanced expertly between theatrical tradition and the cinema closeup, her strong, expressive face being especially eloquent in moments of silent suffering,” The Guardian wrote.
Alongside her Hollywood fame, however, Papas also emerged as the iconic embodiment of classical Greek plays adapted for the screen, appearing in 1961′s “Antigone,” 1962′s “Electra” and 1977′s “Iphigenia.”
Papas, born Eirini Lelekou in a village near Corinth, attended the royal drama school in Athens. Her career began as a teenage singer and dancer in variety shows before landing her first film role in 1948, “by which time she had married the director Alkis Papas,” according to The Guardian.
Her American film debut came in 1956, opposite James Cagney in “Tribute to a Bad Man,” and she appeared on Broadway twice: in the title role of 1973′s “Medea” and as Agave in 1980′s “The Bacchae,” the outlet reported.
According to the Times, Papas’ first marriage ended in a 1951 divorce, and her second marriage, to producer José Kohn in 1957, was annulled. The Greek Culture Ministry spokesman confirmed that she is survived by nephews.
Irene Papas In Athens, Greece on Aug. 1,1996. (Photo by Laurent PETERS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Full-length image of Greek actor Irene Papas in 1955 with bull terrier Wildfire, who appeared in director Herman Hoffman’s film, ‘The Bar Sinister,’ also known as, ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Greek actress, Irene Papas, In London on June 24, 1954. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
ndated photo of Irene Papas (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Jackie Onassis and Irene Papas during Jackie Onassis And Caroline Kennedy At "The Bacchae" in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage)
GREECE – AUGUST 01: Athenes: Irene Papas In Athens, Greece In August 1996-Irene Papas. (Photo by Laurent PETERS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
GREECE – AUGUST 01: Athenes: Irene Papas In Athens, Greece In August 1996-Irene Papas. (Photo by Laurent PETERS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Greek Actress Irene Papas (Photo by Nancy Moran/Sygma via Getty Images)
Irene Papas holding large hanging ring on location for the film ‘Tribute To A Bad Man’, 1956. (Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images)
Actress Irene Papas in a scene from the film ‘The Trojan Women’, 1971. (Photo by Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images)
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY: Anthony Quinn and Irene Papas at Cannes Film Festival in 1976 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Gilbert TOURTE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Greek actress Irene Papas recites an ancient Greek poem to the Olympic flame in front of the Acropolis on June 7, 1992, in Athens, Greece. Papas died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at the age of 96. (Photo by Dimitri MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by DIMITRI MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)