Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis has passed away on Saturday morning after months of health complications.
The popular Greek-American actress, director, producer, and activist died at her New York City home after “many months of failing health,” her brother Apollo confirmed.
Throughout her career, which kicked off in the theater, Olympia starred in more than 60 movies and 50 TV series while performing in over 130 stage productions. She appeared in several hits such as Steel Magnolias, Moonstruck, and Tales of the City.
In 1988, the actress received an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress thanks to her outstanding performance in Moonstruck in which she played the mother of Loretta Castorini, a character played by singer and actress Cher.
Leading tributes to the talented Hollywood Walk of Famer, Cher wrote:
“Olympia Dukakis was an amazing, Academy Award-winning actress.
“Olympia played my mom In Moonstruck, & even though her part was that of a suffering wife, we (laughing emoji) ALL the time. She would tell me how much she loved Louis, her ‘handsome talented, husband’. I talked to her 2 wks ago.”
Paying a tribute was also The Academy who applauded Dukakis for bringing “warmth, humor and wit to the stage and screen for almost 60 years.”
“Olympia Dukakis brought warmth, humor and wit to the stage and screen for almost 60 years, including a stellar run of unforgettable roles in ‘Steel Magnolias’ ‘Tales of the City’ and ‘Moonstruck,’ for which she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She will be missed,” their tweet read.
Meanwhile, dozens of prominent entertainment figures spoke out to pay their respects to the deceased star who managed to influence the entertainment scene with her incredible acting.
“Olympia Dukakis has departed our company. We were Moonstruck by her, as she told us great Tales of the City. A true Steel Magnolia within a more common forest. Ah, what a life force, her later years her best. Rest now among the heavens, Olympia,” George Takei penned.
“Olympia Dukakis was a great actress who loved the work and loved the theatre.point 200 | She was the acting teacher who spoke to me (and many, many others) with clarity and humor and NO censor,” Michael McKean added.point 307 |
“She would tell us: don’t forget that the reason you wanted to do this was that it looked like fun.point 84 | And it is.point 92 | Amid the sweat and the angst, don’t forget the fun.point 136 | Rest in peace, Olympia.point 156 | ”point 159 | 1
Paul Rudnick expressed: “RIP Olympia Dukakis, a wonderful actress, a delightful person and a legend in the theater community. She won an Oscar for Moonstruck, and audiences cherished her take-no-prisoners turn in Steel Magnolias. I worked with her on the movie of my play Jeffrey and she was bliss.”