Olympia Dukakis
Biography
Olympia Dukakis was an American actress born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on June 20, 1931, and she passed away on May 1, 2021, at the age of 89. Throughout her career, she performed in more than 130 stage productions, more than 60 films, and in 50 television series, accumulating 122 known acting credits. Although best known as a screen actress, she began her career in theater. Shortly after arriving in New York City, she won an Obie Award for Best Actress in 1963 for her off-Broadway performance in Bertolt Brecht's play Man Equals Man. She later transitioned to film acting, earning an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance in the 1987 film Moonstruck, alongside subsequent Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations for various television and film projects.
Career overview
Olympia Dukakis was an American actress born on June 20, 1931, in Lowell, Massachusetts, and she passed away on May 1, 2021, at the age of 89. Over the course of her extensive career, she performed in more than 130 stage productions, more than 60 films, and in 50 television series. Known primarily as a screen actress, she actually began her career in theater. Not long after her arrival in New York City, she won an Obie Award for Best Actress in 1963 for her off-Broadway performance in Bertolt Brecht's play Man Equals Man.
Transitioning later to film acting, Dukakis achieved significant recognition. She won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, among other accolades, for her performance in the 1987 film Moonstruck. In addition to these victories, she received further industry recognition, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Sinatra in 1992. Her television work also brought her critical attention, resulting in Emmy Award nominations for Lucky Day in 1991, More Tales of the City in 1998, and Joan of Arc.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
126 titles- Not to Forget (2021) as Judge
- The New Greek Americans (2020) as Narrator
- The New Abolitionists (2020) as Self
- The New Abolitionists (2020) Producer
- Tales of the City (2019) as Anna Madrigal
- Olympia (2018) as Self
- Change in the Air (2018) as Margaret Lemke
- The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin (2017) as Self
- The Infiltrator (2016) as Aunt Vicky
- Her Secret Sessions (2016) as Arlene
- Starring Austin Pendleton (2016) as Self
- Emily & Tim (2015) as Emily (Segment 6)
- Irene & Marie (2015) as Marie
- 7 Chinese Brothers (2015) as Grandma
- Beneath the Olive Tree (2015)
- Big Driver (2014) as Doreen
- A Little Game (2014) as Yaya
- Sex & Violence (2013) as Alex Mandalakis
- Sex & Violence (2013) Executive Producer
- Montana Amazon (2013) as Ira
- The Christmas Spirit (2013) as Gwen Hollander
- The Last Keepers (2013) as Rosmarie Carver
- Joe Papp in Five Acts (2012) as Self
- Cloudburst (2011) as Stella
- Birds of a Feather (2011) as Olympia
- Bored to Death (2009) as Belinda
- I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (2009) as Self
- Away from Her (2007) as Marian
- In the Land of Women (2007) as Phyllis
- The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines (2006) as Margie Carsen
- Day On Fire (2006) as Dr. Mary Wade
- Moonstruck: At the Heart of an Italian Family (2006) as Self
- Jesus, Mary and Joey (2006) as Sophia Vitello
- Numb3rs (2005) as Charlotte Yates
- Whiskey School (2005) as Ellen Haywood
- The Great New Wonderful (2005) as Judy Hillerman
- The Thing About My Folks (2005) as Muriel Kleinman
- 3 Needles (2005) as Hilde
- The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004) as Margie Carsen
- Center of the Universe (2004) as Marge Barnett
- Signs Out of Time: The Life of Archaeologist Marija Gimbutas (2004) as Narrator
- Mafia Doctor (2003) as Rose Dellarusso
- Charlie's War (2003) as Charlie
- The Event (2003) as Lila Shapiro
- The Intended (2002) as Erina
- Guilty Hearts (2002) as Amanda Patterson
- And Never Let Her Go (2001) as Marguerite Capano
- A Better Tomorrow (2001) as Maria Caruso
- And Never Let Her Go (2001) as Marguerite Capano
- Strange Relations (2001) as Esther Lipman
- Ladies and The Champ (2001) as Sara Stevens
- Further Tales of the City (2001) as Anna Madrigal
- The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000) as Dinah
- Borough of Kings (2000) as Helen Manners
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Debby Marsh
- Joan of Arc (1999) as Mother Babette
- Crimes of Honour (1999) as Narrator (voice)
- So Graham Norton (1998) as Self - Guest
- More Tales of the City (1998) as Anna Madrigal
- Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998) as Sophia
- The Pentagon Wars (1998) as Madam Chairwoman
- A Life for a Life (1998) as Charlotte Kiszko
- Better Living (1998) as Nora
- Scattering Dad (1998) as Dotty
- The View (1997) as Self
- Picture Perfect (1997) as Rita
- Balkan Island: The Last Story of the Century (1997) as Mother
- A Match Made in Heaven (1997) as Helen Rosner
- Never Too Late (1996) as Rose
- Jerusalem (1996) as Mother (Mrs. Gordon)
- Milk & Money (1996) as Goneril Plogg
- Mighty Aphrodite (1995) as Jocasta
- Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) as Principal Jacobs
- Dead Badge (1995) as Dr. Doris Rice
- Young at Heart (1995) as Rose Garaventi
- Jeffrey (1995) as Mrs. Marcangelo
- Mother (1995) as Mrs. Jay
- Dream Journey (1995) as Self
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Clara
- Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) as Olympia Dukakis (uncredited)
- I Love Trouble (1994) as Jeannie
- Inside the Actors Studio (1994) as Self
- Frasier (1993) as Caller #3 (voice)
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- Tales of the City (1993) as Anna Madrigal
- Look Who's Talking Now! (1993) as Rosie
- The Cemetery Club (1993) as Doris Silverman
- Digger (1993) as Bea
- Over the Hill (1992) as Alma Harris
- Sinatra (1992) as Dolly Sinatra
- The General Motors Playwrights Theater (1991) as Laura Cunningham
- Lucky Day (1991) as Katherine Campbell
- Fire in the Dark (1991) as Emily Miller
- Look Who's Talking Too (1990) as Rosie
- In the Spirit (1990) as Sue
- The Simpsons (1989) as Zelda (voice)
- Look Who's Talking (1989) as Rosie
- Steel Magnolias (1989) as Clairee Belcher
- Dad (1989) as Bette Tremont
- Working Girl (1988) as Personnel Director
- Moonstruck (1987) as Rose Castorini
- The Equalizer (1985) as Judge Paula G. Walsh
- Flanagan (1985) as Mary
- American Playhouse (1982) as Mama Nicola
- American Playhouse (1982) as Anna Madrigal
- The Neighborhood (1982) as Mrs. St Paul
- National Lampoon's Movie Madness (1982) as Helena Naxos ("Success Wanters")
- King of America (1982) as Mama Nicola
- The Idolmaker (1980) as Mrs. Vacarri
- F.D.R.: The Last Year (1980)
- The Wanderers (1979) as Joey's Mother (uncredited)
- Rich Kids (1979) as Lawyer
- The Andros Targets (1977) as Marina Angelis
- The Seagull (1975) as Pauline
- Death Wish (1974) as Cop at the Precinct (uncredited)
- The Rehearsal (1974)
- Nicky's World (1974) as Irene Kaminios
- Sisters (1973) as Louise Wilanski
- Great Performances (1971) as Pauline
- Made For Each Other (1971) as Gig's Mother
- John and Mary (1969) as John's Mother
- Stiletto (1969) as Mrs. Amato (uncredited)
- Lilith (1964) as Patient (uncredited)
- Twice a Man (1963) as Young Mother
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Anna Nieves
- Search for Tomorrow (1951)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Olympia Dukakis best known for?
Olympia Dukakis is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Infiltrator (2016), Bored to Death (2009), Getter Robo (1974), In the Land of Women (2007).
When and where was Olympia Dukakis born?
Olympia Dukakis was born on June 20, 1931 in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA. They passed away on May 1, 2021.
How many credits does Olympia Dukakis have?
Olympia Dukakis has accumulated over 126 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2021.
What is Olympia Dukakis's background in cinema and television?
Olympia Dukakis was an American actress born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on June 20, 1931, and she passed away on May 1, 2021, at the age of 89. Throughout her career, she performed in more than 130 stage productions, more than 60 films, and in 50 television series, accumulating 122 known acting credits. Although best kn...
Olympia Dukakis by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Debby Marsh — aged about 68
- The Simpsons (1989) as Zelda (voice) — aged about 58
- Frasier (1993) as Caller #3 (voice) — aged about 62
- Tales of the City (1993) as Anna Madrigal — aged about 62
- Search for Tomorrow (1951) — aged about 20
- So Graham Norton (1998) as Self - Guest — aged about 67
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