Maro Kontou, one of the most recognizable actresses of Greek cinema’s golden age, passed away Wednesday, July 15, in Athens. She was 92.
Kontou had been receiving treatment at Agios Savvas Hospital after facing serious health problems in recent weeks.
Born Marianthi Kontou in Athens on June 21, 1934, she trained at Koula Pratsika’s dance school and received a scholarship to the Hladek school in Germany. After beginning her professional career as a dancer, she moved into acting and went on to appear in 61 feature films, more than 90 stage productions, and numerous television roles.
Her early screen roles included The Yellow Gloves in 1960 and Woe to the Young in 1961. That same year, she played Ismene opposite Irene Papas in the film adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone.
Kontou became a familiar presence in Greek comedy, appearing alongside actors including Lambros Konstantaras, Dimitris Horn and Giorgos Konstantinou. Her films also included The Lady Driver, My Friend Lefterakis and An Italian Girl from Kypseli.
Her best-known role came in Giorgos Tzavellas’ 1965 comedy And the Wife Shall Revere Her Husband. Kontou played Elenitsa Kokovikou opposite Konstantinou’s Antonakis in a story about marriage, authority and changing expectations between husbands and wives.
The film’s courtyard setting and the Kokovikou couple remained familiar through decades of television broadcasts, reaching later generations of Greek viewers in Greece and abroad. Kontou and Konstantinou returned as Elenitsa and Antonakis in Christopher Papakaliatis’ 2012 film What If…
Kontou’s public life extended beyond the arts. She served on the Athens City Council and served three brief terms in Parliament with New Democracy, representing the Athens A constituency.
Her funeral will be held Friday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at the First Cemetery of Athens. Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis, a longtime friend, will deliver the eulogy.