Who Is Olympia Dukakis? Age, Biography and Wiki
Olympia Dukakis, born on June 20, 1931, was a celebrated American actress known for her impactful roles in both film and theater. With an extensive career that spanned several decades, Dukakis made a significant mark in Hollywood and won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Moonstruck" (1987). As of 2025, Olympia would have celebrated her 94th birthday, yet her legacy continues to inspire many in the field of acting and arts.
Occupation | Autobiographer |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 20, 1931 |
Age | 89 Years |
Birth Place | Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Horoscope | Gemini |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 1 May, 2021 |
Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Olympia Dukakis's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Olympia Dukakis was known for her commanding presence on screen. Throughout her life, she stood at a height of approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). While specific weight details from her later years are not publicly documented, Dukakis always embraced her body with confidence, showcasing that talent and authenticity matter far more than physical attributes.
Dukakis was an alumna of Arlington High School, and was educated at Boston University where she majored in physical therapy, earning a BA, of which she made use when treating patients with polio during the height of the epidemic. She later returned to BU and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in performing arts.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Olympia Dukakis was married to actor Louis Zorich from 1962 until his passing in 2018. The couple shared three children together, highlighting a strong family bond as Dukakis often expressed the importance of family in her life. As of 2025, she is remembered for her long-lasting relationship with Zorich, and her legacy lives on through her children and grandchildren. Olympian Dukakis's personal life has remained relatively private, focusing more on professional milestones than on dating rumors or public relationships.
Dukakis. Her parents were Greek immigrants; her father a refugee from Anatolia, and her mother an immigrant from the Peloponnese. She had a brother, Apollo, six years her junior. Her cousin was former Massachusetts governor and 1988 U.S. presidential nominee Michael Dukakis.
As a girl, she was significantly involved in sports and was a three-time New England fencing champion. She contended with pressures within her patriarchal Greek family and around her, "in a neighborhood where ethnic discrimination, particularly against Greeks, was routine."
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing in 2021, Olympia Dukakis had an estimated net worth of around $6 million. Known for her roles in theater, movies, and television, her earnings comprised of diverse projects across several platforms. Throughout her career, she also participated in speaking engagements and workshops, contributing further to her financial standing.
Career, Business and Investments
Dukakis's career began in the 1960s, and she became renowned for her versatility as an actress. From Broadway performances to iconic film roles, she displayed a wide range of talent. In addition to acting, she ventured into directing and producing, enhancing her creative portfolio. Dukakis actively supported various charities and causes throughout her life, embodying her passion beyond the screen.
Her business acumen was not only evident through her performances but also through her profound contributions to the arts, making her one of the most respected figures in the industry.
Olympia Dukakis (June 20, 1931 – May 1, 2021) was an American actress. She performed in more than 130 stage productions, in some 60 films, and in approximately 50 television series. Best known as a screen actress, she started 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 Man Equals Man.
Social Network
Though Olympia Dukakis embraced her privacy, she was part of the larger arts community and had connections with various influential figures in Hollywood and beyond. While she may not have been as active on social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter, her legacy is celebrated through fan pages and tributes that honor her work and impact on the cinematic world.
She took on significant work on the small screen as well. In 1998, she starred as Charlotte Kiszko in the British TV drama A Life for a Life: The True Story of Stefan Kiszko (ITV), based on the actual story of a man wrongfully imprisoned for seventeen years for the murder of a child, Lesley Molseed, after police suppressed evidence of his innocence.
Education
Dukakis received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University, later following her passion for acting at the prestigious Actor’s Studio in New York City. Her education laid the groundwork for her illustrious career, allowing her to cultivate her craft and connect with various mentors and contemporaries that influenced her growth as an actress.
She led an off-screen and off-stage active life. She taught acting for fifteen years at NYU and gave master classes for professional theatre universities, colleges, and companies across the country. She received the National Arts Club Medal of Honor.