The Greek Film Center bids farewell to Mary Chronopoulou

«The Greek Film Centre bids farewell to an eminent star with timeless stature, as she has proved over the decades», in a message of condolence. Mary Chronopoulou «crossed almost the entire thematic spectrum of fiction, from melodrama and the actor-drama of the open horizons to the musical and left her strong imprint on the new Greek cinema», the Greek Film Centre's message stresses.

«Mary Chronopoulou was a great lady of classical Greek cinema, a prominent star with timeless stature, as has been proven over the decades. She crossed almost the entire thematic spectrum of fiction, from melodrama and open-horizons drama to the musical. Vassilis Georgiadis“ ”Greek Western“ ”The soil was painted red“, in which he starred in 1966, was nominated for an Oscar for Foreign Language Film. Mary Chronopoulou stood, sometimes airy and sometimes doric, alongside almost all the male protagonists of those years, alongside Nikos Kourkoulos, Alekos Alexandrakis, Phaedon Georgitsis, George Fountas. Her presence filled the cinematic frame of directors associated with the best moments of Finos Film, Vassilis Georgiadis, Dinos Dimopoulos, Yannis Dalianidis, Nikos Foskolos. Mary Chronopoulou left a strong imprint on the new Greek cinema. Among her great collaborations were those with Theo Angelopoulos (”The Hunters“, ”Journey to Kythera“) and Kostas Vrettakos (”The Children of Swallow“). Her last leading role was in 1996 in the film ”Towards Freedom" by Haris Papadopoulos.

The Greek Film Centre expresses its deepest condolences to her relatives», concludes the message of condolence of the Greek Film Centre.

Mary Chronopoulou was one of the most famous actresses, a historical female figure of the theatre and Greek cinema.

Apart from television and theatre, he has acted in television series but has also made a career in singing.

In 1957 he began to collaborate with the independent theatre, making appearances at the Acropolis in the plays «The Lady» and «Romance of a Chambermaid» by Alekos Sakellariou-Christos Giannakopoulos.

She first appeared in the cinema in Dinos Dimopoulos« »Happy Beginnings« in 1954, produced by Finos Film when she was still a student. In 1958 she got a small role in Michael Cacoyannis» "The Last Lie", again at Finos Film.

From 1963 onwards she starred in many dramatic series of Finos Film, and not only, in the roles of a dame and a femme fatale, alongside all the leading actors of the era, such as Nikos Kourokoulos, Fayon Georgitsis, Dimitris Papamichael, George Fountas and Alekos Alexandrakis.

Great career in theatre and cinema

Many of her performances stood out, such as in the film «The Red Lanterns» (1963) by Vassilis Georgiadis, nominated for the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film at the 36th Academy Awards in 1964, produced by Damaskinos-Michaelides, «No Identity» (1963, Finos Film), «The soil was painted red», a 1966 drama film directed by Vassilis Georgiadis and written by Nikos Foskolos, nominated for the Oscar for foreign language film at the 38th Academy Awards in 1966, «Too late for tears» by Yannis Dalianides (1968, Finos Film), «When the city dies», written by Nikos Foskolos and directed by Yannis Dalianides (1969, Finos Film), «The Unscrupulous» by Dinos Katsouridis (1965, Savas Film), «Society at Zero Hour» by Dinos Dimopoulos (1966, Finos Film), «The Avenue of Hate» (1968, Finos Film) and «Visibility Zero» by Nikos Foskolos (1970, Finos Film).

Among these social and dramatic films she appeared in three musicals by Yannis Dalianides, produced by Finos Film, in which she made a splash: «The Sea Beads», «A Lady in the Bouzoukia» and «Mermaids and Dudes».

In 1967-68 she was the best actress in cinema and won the Critics' Association Award.

In August 1975 she married the former mayor of Spata and former MP Dimos Botsaris and they divorced after a short time. She was engaged for 3 years to Andreas Barkoulis.

The serious accident 24 years ago

In August 1999 she suffered a serious car accident, which has forced her to stay out of the limelight, as she had said in an interview about her health: «Six times I tried to take my own life. After the car accident I stopped acting, I had a failed spinal surgery.

After the accident I was taken to the hospital with cardiac arrest. For nine months they kept me on machines. Then I burned up. And last year I was in a severe coma. I can't believe I've recovered. I went to death several times and came back. A friend of mine told me that the creator let me live for a reason. I don't know who it is I'm still looking into it.».

Total Offer Award

On 16 June 2021 Mary Chronopoulou was honoured with the Overall Contribution Award at the IRIS Awards Ceremony by the Hellenic Film Academy. The award was presented by the president of the Greek Actors« Association, Spyros Bibilas, together with the president of the Academy, George Tseberopoulos, to the actress who, with her »presence, sealed a number of cinematic genres", as he said.

Her last on-screen appearance was a few minutes« guest appearance in the third series of »Another Me: Nemesis" by Sotiris Tsafoulias.

Message of condolence from the leadership of the Ministry of Culture

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni made the following statement after the announcement of the death of Mary Chronopoulou:

«Mary Chronopoulou who, still a student at the National Theatre School in 1954, stood out in the orchestra of Epidaurus, in a dance of ancient tragedy and Michael Cacoyannis gave her a role in «The Last Lie», has left us today, having secured, for eternity, a leading role in the pantheon of Greek cinema.

She was a charismatic personality, cultured, multi-talented and charming, leaving behind her a long list of successes, both in the cinema and in the theatre, serving all genres of acting.

In 1963 her performance in Vassilis Georgiadis' film The Red Lanterns (1963), nominated for the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film at the 36th Academy Awards in 1964, opened the doors wide open for her at Finos Film, playing leading roles, winning the Critics' Association Award in 1967-8.

But also in the 80s, Theo Angelopoulos entrusted her in two of his masterpiece films - Hunters, Journey to Kythera - while she won the first prize for female role at the Thessaloniki Film Festival with Vrettakos« film »The Children of Swallow" in 1987.

She lived a full life, full of success and great acceptance by an audience that quickly recognized her talent and adored her. She was a model of a good colleague and a person of great service to younger actors. Spontaneous, sincere, she remained modest to the end, saying that she «wanted to go before she was too old».

The truth is that actresses the size of Mary Chronopoulou do not age. They have conquered the privilege of their image always remaining in the spring.

I extend my deepest condolences to her family and her loyal friends.»

The Deputy Minister of Culture Christos Dimas made the following statement after the announcement of the death of Mary Chronopoulou:

«The loss of Mary Chronopoulou has plunged the wider world of culture, art, theatre and cinema into grief.

She was a great actress who left an indelible imprint on the golden age of Greek cinema and theatre.

Undoubtedly, she was a «star» of the Greek cinema and combined her name with great successes and great distinctions.

I express my sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.

The Greek Film Centre bids farewell to Mary Chronopoulou

Mary Chronopoulou was a great lady of classical Greek cinema, a prominent star with timeless stature as has been proven over the decades. She crossed almost the entire thematic spectrum of fiction, from melodrama and open-horizons drama to musicals. Vassilis Georgiadis« »Greek Western« »The soil was painted red«, in which he starred in 1966, was nominated for an Academy Award for Foreign Language Film. Mary Chronopoulou stood, sometimes airy and sometimes doric, alongside almost all the male protagonists of those years, alongside Nikos Kourkoulos, Alekos Alexandrakis, Phaedon Georgitsis, George Fountas. Her presence filled the cinematic frame of directors associated with the best moments of Finos Film, Vassilis Georgiadis, Dinos Dimopoulos, Yannis Dalianidis, Nikos Foskolos. Mary Chronopoulou left a strong imprint on the new Greek cinema. Among her great collaborations were those with Theo Angelopoulos (»The Hunters«, »Journey to Kythera«) and Kostas Vrettakos (»The Children of Swallow«). Her last leading role was in 1996 in the film »Towards Freedom" by Haris Papadopoulos.

The Greek Film Centre expresses its deepest condolences to her family and friends.