Well-known actor, George Kotanidis passed away on Tuesday.
According to reports, the 74-year-old had undergone surgery recently, and died in intensive care.
The late talent was born in Thessaloniki in 1945, and raised between his birth city and Drama.
Despite having his heart set on pursuing an acting career, Kotanidis enrolled as a student at the Veterinary School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for two years, before going on study at the Drama School of Greece’s National Theatre, graduating in 1970.
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He established himself over the years as one of Greece’s most renowned actors, appearing in a number of films, television series, and in theatre productions, known for The Girl from Mani (1986), Pretty Smart (1987) and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001).
He was also a talented writer and director, collaborating with legends the likes of Cypriot filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis and Greek actress Xenia Kalogeropoulou.
Kotanidis took part in the anti-dictatorship struggle against the military Junta from 1967-1974. He joined the Revolutionary Communist Movement of Greece and the European Youth Movement, for which he was arrested, imprisoned and tortured on numerous occasions.
He is survived by his daughters, Antigone and Eva Kotanidou.