Greece’s Erin Pappas, who earned Hollywood fame, dies at 93

Irene Papas, the Greek actress whose performance and beauty earned her top roles in Hollywood films as well as French and Italian films, has died.

The Greek Ministry of Culture confirmed her death on Wednesday.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement: “Magnificent, majestic and dynamic, Eileen Pappas is the embodiment of Greek beauty on the film screen and on the theatre stage, a woman who exudes Greek beauty. A temperamental international heroine.”

Pappas became known internationally after starring alongside Hollywood stars Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn in 1961’s Guns of Navarone and 1964’s Zorba the Greek.

In all, she starred in more than 50 films.

Pappas was born in a mountain village near the southern Greek city of Corinth, the daughter of two teachers.

Her father was also a drama teacher.

Despite his family’s disapproval, Pappas left home at the age of 18 to marry the Greek film director Alkis Pappas.

They divorced four years later.

Following the death of American actor Marlon Brando in 2004, Pappas revealed in an Italian newspaper interview that the two had been in a relationship.

A supporter of the KKE, Pappas was an outspoken opponent of the military dictatorship that ruled the country from 1967 to 1974, and lived outside Greece, including Rome and New York.

Pappas is also known for his appearance in ancient Greek tragedies.

Many of her international film roles were earned by playing Greek characters.

But she also starred alongside Kirk Douglas in the 1968 crime drama “The Brotherhood,” and with James Cagney in 1956’s “Western’s Tribute to the Bad Guys.”

Greek arts agency thanks Dad for his support of young actors.

The Athens-based Greek Film Center described her as “the greatest Greek international film star”, adding: “Her image is an eternal imprint of Greek female beauty.”