Maro Kontou, one of the most recognizable faces of Greek cinema and theater, passed away on July 15 at Agios Savvas Hosp...

Maro Kontou, one of the most recognizable faces of Greek cinema and theater, passed away on July 15 at Agios Savvas Hospital in Athens. She was 92 years old. Her health had been declining for weeks after she was admitted to Attikon Hospital on June 15 with a serious pulmonary condition. Born Marianthi Kontou in 1934 in the Koukaki neighborhood of Athens, she trained at the dance school of Koula Pratsika and joined the National Theater's ancient drama chorus from 1953 to 1958, where she quickly stood out. Her talent was obvious enough that she was granted an acting license and launched a stage career that would span five decades. She appeared in roughly 60 films and 90 theatrical productions. Her screen debut came in the 1954 Finos Film production "Haroumeno Xekinima," where she and fellow newcomer Mairy Chronopoulou appeared together in what one source described as a scene resembling an early music video. Her film career hit its peak with the 1965 comedy "I Gyni na Fovitai ton Andra," directed by Giorgos Tzavellas, in which she played the unforgettable Ismini Kokovikous alongside Giorgos Konstantinou. Many critics consider it the defining role of her career. She was also regarded as the ideal on-screen partner of Lambros Konstantaras, with the 1970 film "Blofatzis" often cited as the high point of their collaboration. The two were so convincing together that many viewers assumed they were a couple in real life, which they never were. Kontou was married twice, first to cinematographer Aristeidis Karydis-Fouks and later to advertiser Giorgos Doxas. Beyond acting, she had a notable singing voice, contributing to Manos Hatzidakis's 1962 musical production "Odos Oneiron" in Athens. From the 1990s onward she moved into politics as a member of New Democracy, serving as a city councilor in Athens from 1994 to 2002 and as a member of parliament for the A' Athens constituency from 1999 to 2004 and again in 2006 to 2007. #Greece #GreekCinema #MaroKontou