Peter Patrikios is a first-generation Greek American, born and raised in the Overbrook Park section of West Philadelphia and is the second child of Christos and Christina Patrikios. His parents were the owners of Alpha Pizza. He and his two brothers grew up in a traditional first-generation Greek family, where their parents instilled in them a good work ethic, love for learning, family values, and a strong focus on their Greek heritage.
At an early age, Peter showed an affinity for scholastics, especially the sciences, but secretly had a passion for the performing arts. He entered Franklin and Marshall College with a pre-med curriculum. He thought he would simply become a doctor and take up acting as a hobby. Peter received early acceptance to Temple University’s School of Medicine. While at Temple, he signed up for a class in modern dance and performed in a nationwide competition sponsored by MTV called “S.A.M.S. Rock-A-Like (Students Against Multiple Sclerosis).” He took the routine to Daytona Beach with some college friends, where they performed live on stage. Afterward, he auditioned for the college musical “Fiddler on the Roof” and received the role of Lazar Wolf, the butcher. He was hooked on acting.
Realizing that his path in life was acting, he dropped out at Temple, not telling his parents for six months, and began taking acting workshops with top casting directors. He started auditioning for plays and independent films and soon was on his way to becoming the typical struggling actor.
For the next ten years, Peter labored to make ends meet, but through perseverance, dedication to his craft, and the love of his family, Peter began landing better parts. Twenty-five years later, his resume has grown, and today he’s appeared in over forty plays and sixty film and television productions. Some of his more notable appearances include Law & Order Criminal Intent, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, The Blacklist, and Gotham. He can also be seen in the Last Call with Jeremy Piven, 21 Bridges, Zeroes, directed by Charles Smith, Recipes For Love, a TV series shot locally, and Not For Nothing written and directed by Frank Tartaglia and Tom Dolin.
The twenty-five-year “overnight” success of Peter continues as he becomes well-known in the industry. Yet, he always comes back to his Philadelphia roots and Greek family values, which have been the foundation of his life.