Olympia Dukakis

Date of Birth: June 20, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: May 1, 2021

Biography

Olympia Dukakis was a highly respected American actress, director, producer, and author. She was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, into a Greek-American family and raised in a culturally rich environment. Dukakis earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from Boston University, which she initially pursued to help soldiers returning from World War II. However, her passion for the performing arts led her to return to Boston University, where she obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree in Performing Arts. Dukakis began her career in theater, where she achieved significant success both on and off Broadway. Her breakthrough in film came with her role as Rose Castorini in “Moonstruck” (1987), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also received a Golden Globe and a BAFTA nomination for the same role. Over her career, Dukakis appeared in more than 130 stage productions, over 60 films, and in numerous television series. In addition to her acting career, Dukakis was a dedicated advocate for the arts and women’s rights. She co-founded the Whole Theatre Company in Montclair, New Jersey, where she served as an artistic director for 19 years. Her autobiography, “Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress,” was published in 2003 and provides an in-depth look at her life and career.

5 Interesting Facts about Olympia Dukakis

1. Olympia Dukakis was the cousin of Michael Dukakis, the Democratic nominee for President in 1988.

2. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 56 for her role in “Moonstruck.”

3. Dukakis had a long and fruitful career in theater and film, spanning over six decades.

4. She was known for her roles in films such as “Steel Magnolias” (1989) and “Mr. Holland’s Opus” (1995).

5. In addition to her acting career, Dukakis was a professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Olympia Dukakis

1. “The only way to learn is to keep doing something new, all the time.”

2. “Sometimes I get it right, and sometimes I get it wrong, but I keep on doing it.”

3. “Winning is everything. The only ones who remember you when you come second are your wife and your dog.”

4. “I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride in being recognized for my work, particularly because I did it my way.”

5. “I think you have to have a deep sense of humor to be able to deal with the world and deal with yourself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Olympia Dukakis was estimated to be around $6 million.

Children

Olympia Dukakis had three children: Christina Zorich, Peter Zorich, and Stefan Zorich. All of her children pursued careers in the arts, following in their mother’s footsteps.