Kostas Karras

Kostas Karras Athens 21 June 1936 6 May 2012 was a Greek actor and politician He studied Political Science in London and acting at the National Theatres Drama School He was a graduate of the Royal Academy of Arts in London In 1963 he graduated from the Pelos Katselis Drama School and the same year made his debut in Agatha Christies The Mousetrap At that time he began his successful collaboration with Ellie Lampeti with whom he was in a relationship and appeared among others in works such as Neil Simons Barefoot in the Park in the role of Paul Parker and Tennessee Williamss Bus Stop in the role of Kowalski Since then he has created his own theatrical groups and achieved personal success in Nikolai Gogols Diary of a Madman and Noel Cowards The Evil Spirit as Charles His contribution as an actor to Greek cinema is significant where he first appeared in 1961 However his best film appearance is considered to be the role of Menelaus in Michael Cacoyannis Iphigenia 1977 On Greek television he starred with great success in many series From 2000 to 2007 he was a member of the Greek Parliament with the New Democracy party He was honorary president of Smile of the Child since 1994 He organized the first international fundraiser for the victims of the Bosnian War He repeatedly gave performances to support vulnerable social groups He was awarded by many organizations and associations for his social and humanitarian action Lions Smile of the Child Municipalities and Communities Since July 2000 he was responsible for the Cultural Movement branch of the New Democratic Party of Greece cultural associations and the finances of Culture In the 19941996 season he participated in the series Our Father in the role of Kostas Stergiou on ANT1 He died of cancer on May 6 2012 at the age of 75 and was buried in the First Cemetery of Athens He left behind his wife Angeliki Baroutsou with whom he had been married since 1965 and they had a son Vasilis His wife died of a heart attack on December 27 2023