Greek Actor Alkis Yannakas Passes Away at 80

The news in Greek

1. αγαπημένος
   Που έχει την αγάπη των άλλων, που οι άλλοι συμπαθούν πολύ. ↩︎
2. ηθοποιός  (m.)
   Άτομο που ενσαρκώνει ρόλους σε θεατρικές παραστάσεις ή σε κινηματογράφο. ↩︎
3. διάσημος
   Γνωστός σε πολύ κόσμο, με φήμη. ↩︎
4. ξεχωριστός
   Που διακρίνεται για την πρωτοτυπία ή τη μοναδικότητά του. ↩︎
5. γοητεία  (f.)
   Η ικανότητα να προσελκύει κανείς ή να εντυπωσιάζει τους άλλους με την προσωπικότητά του. ↩︎
6. απόσυρση  (f.)
   Η πράξη του να σταματάς να είσαι ενεργός σε μια καριέρα ή δραστηριότητα. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What was one of the movies Alkis Yannakas was famous for?

Question 2: Where will Alkis Yannakas’ funeral be held?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
αγαπημένος	beloved
ηθοποιός  (m.)	actor
διάσημος	famous
ξεχωριστός	distinctive
γοητεία  (f.)	charm
απόσυρση  (f.)	retirement

Read the full story

The Greek film industry mourns the loss of Alkis Yannakas, a beloved actor and a notable figure from the golden age of Greek cinema, who passed away at the age of 80. Yannakas, best remembered for his captivating roles in films like “O Remali tis Fokionos Negri” (1965) and “Enas Delikanis” (1963), was celebrated for his portrayal of intricate and charismatic characters.

Born in Athens on 28 March 1945, Yannakas entered the cinematic world at the tender age of 18. With his distinct charm and impressive talent, he quickly became a favourite among directors, while his “dangerous allure” made him an icon for audiences. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, Yannakas not only gained recognition as a heartthrob but also as the quintessential “beautiful villain” of Greek cinema.

Despite his fame, Yannakas chose to live away from the spotlight after retiring from theatre in the late 1980s. His partner of 25 years, Katerina, shared heartfelt tributes, describing him as “a wonderful person with boundless humour and zest for life.” She expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting their shared dreams and plans that will remain unfulfilled.

The departure of Yannakas marks the end of an era for many in Greece, reminiscent of the passing of his contemporaries, which has left a void in the theatrical and cinematic landscape. His roles, often depicting societal antiheroes, resonated with a public that embraced his artistry and unconventional charisma.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, 16 October, in Elliniko, Athens, as fans and loved ones bid farewell to a man whose legacy will continue to influence and inspire the future generations of Greek cinema. As the narrative of his extraordinary life concludes, the impact of Alkis Yannakas on Greek culture remains indelible.

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