Olympia Dukakis was a celebrated first-generation Greek American actress, known for her extensive work on stage and screen. While she gained national recognition later in life, she spent decades cultivating a successful theatrical career. In her personal social media bios, Dukakis described herself as an actress, director, producer, teacher, activist, and author. Though she had a thriving stage career, mainstream Hollywood fame came at age 56 with her memorable role in the film Moonstruck.
Olympia Dukakis was born on June 20, 1931, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Greek immigrant parents, Alexandra (Christos) and Constantine S. Dukakis. She had one younger brother, Apollo. Olympia was also a cousin of Michael Dukakis, the former governor of Massachusetts and 1988 Democratic Presidential nominee who ran against George H. W. Bush.
Dukakis attended Arlington High School in Arlington, Massachusetts, and later studied at Boston University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical therapy and worked as a physical therapist during the polio epidemic. Later, she returned to Boston University to obtain a Master of Fine Arts, which launched her professional acting career.
In 1962, Dukakis married Yugoslav-American actor Louis Zorich. The couple remained married until Zorich's death in January 2018 and had three children: Christina, Peter, and Stefan.
Known for her liberal views, Dukakis was a lifelong Democrat and a committed activist. She consistently supported causes such as women’s rights, environmental protection, and LGBTQ+ equality, making her a visible ally to the gay and transgender communities.
Dukakis began her acting career in regional and Off-Broadway productions, gaining a reputation as a versatile performer capable of portraying a wide range of ethnicities and genres—from comedy to tragedy. She made her Broadway debut at age 30 in The Aspern Papers. Additional Broadway roles included Abraham Cochrane (1964), Who's Who in Hell (1974), and a well-received performance in Social Security (1986), which caught the attention of director Norman Jewison.
In 1971, along with husband Louis Zorich, Dukakis co-founded the acclaimed Whole Theatre Company in Montclair, New Jersey. She served as its artistic director for 19 years, promoting experimental and underrepresented works within the theater community.
| Birth Date: | 20 Jun, 1931 |
| Age: | 88 yrs |
| Occupations: | Television actor Film actor Stage actor |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Lowell |
| Education: | Boston University College of Fine Arts |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American actress |
| Spouse: | Louis Zorich [M. 1962] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 6 million |
