Greek actor Kostas Voutsas, one of the last greats from the Golden Age of cinema, passed away, aged 88, on 26 February.
The popular comedian was rushed to Attikon hospital on Friday, 7 February, and had been admitted to the Cardiology Unit with symptoms of lung infection and heart and breathing difficulties. He was immediately put on a ventilator so that respiratory issues could be addressed.
Unfortunately, these proved serious and the actor passed away. His funeral is to be held at the Metropolis of Athens on Friday at 11am, with a public showing at the adjacent chapel from 9am to 7.30pm on Thursday where fans and members of the public will be able to pay their last respects to the great star.
The Athens Municipality has donated a plot at the First Cemetery of Athens to his family in honour of the great star’s contribution to the nation’s art and culture.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Hellenic Transplant Organization (EOM) or the “Merimna” non-profit organisation, said his family in a message social media.
An amazing life
Born in Athens on 31 December, 1931, the comic actor’s family moved to Thessaloniki in 1932 where he grew up. He studied acting at the Drama School of the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki and made his stage and screen debut in 1953.
His breakthrough in acting came in 1961 when director Giannis Dalianidis gave him a leading role in the melodrama O Katiforos (The Decline). He went on to become one of the most acclaimed comic actors of his generation, performing in classics like Aristophanes’ The Wasps (as Philokleon), Molière’s Le bourgeois gentilhomme (title role), etc.
READ MORE: Voutsas in Australia
A major actor in Finos Fims, he starred in dozens of movies, mainly comedies as well as musicals.
He has received many lifetime achievement awards for his work, including one from the Thessaloniki Film Festival in 1988.
Married three times, he is the father of actress Theodora Voutsa.
READ MORE: Actress Erika Broyer dies, aged 77