Nineteen years have passed today since the death of Alekos Alexandrakis. The thread of his life was cut in 2005, when after a long battle with cancer, on November 8, he left for the neighborhood of angels.
Irresistible charmer, the definition of zen premiere, but also with stage education, versatile, as he could play light comedies, farces or classic dramas with equal ease, high sense of good taste, but above all a protagonist. These are some of the characteristics that accompany Alekos Alexandrakis, the actor who was one of the most desirable men for his colleagues and for the female population in general.
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Miss director with Jenny Karezi
The son of a lawyer from Mani, Alekos Alexandrakis was born on November 27, 1928 in Athens. He attended the best schools of the time and grew up in a house full of books. His favorite sport was fencing and at 15 he became a member of the national team.
A year later he entered the Cadet School, wanting to become a Naval officer. However, a performance by Karolos Koon, starring Elli Lampeti, changed his life. He decided to take an exam at the Royal Theater and passed first. Dimitris Horn was so sure of Alekos’ talent that he had bet on his success.
After some time, Mrs. Katerina (Andreadis), who was looking for a “zen premiere”, chooses him for the role in the play “Autumn Tide”. He took his first steps on the stage on July 9, 1949 leaving a very good impression. In fact, the strict critic and theater person Emilios Hourmouzios wrote about the young “zen premiere” the unexpected: “Present weapons. At last, a lover in the Greek theater”.
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With his first film appearance in 1951, at the age of 23, in the film “Those Who Shouldn’t Love”, Finos believed in his abilities and gave him the next role alongside the great Eleni Hatziaargyris in “Agni tou Limanio” by Giorgos Tzavellas . His interpretation caused a sensation and the road to recognition began. One film followed another, and Alexandrakis was now the undisputed heartthrob of the big screen, since each of his appearances ensured success.
In the same year, he made his debut on the big screen, with the film “Two Worlds”, directed by Grigoris Grigoriou. Countless others followed, and all agreed that he was a great actor and the greatest charmer of the time. Its appeal to the female population was unprecedented.
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Elli Lampeti was the first to succumb to his charm. However, their bond did not last long, as Alexandrakis preferred to follow Katerina on a tour. In Sudan he met his first wife, Marge Valvi, whom he married a little later in Athens. Their marriage lasted three years, as long as he married Claude Champadou, a beautiful French woman.
Aliki Georgoulis – Alekos Alexandrakis
In 1956, he married actress Aliki Georgoulis. Together they staged “Picnic” at the “Gloria” theater in America Square, while participating in peace marches and democratic rallies. But after four years they broke up.
His fourth marriage was to the Swiss Verena Gower. In the five years that their marriage lasted, they had two children. In 1969 he met Nonika Galinea and fell deeply in love with her. Although this relationship lasted a full 21 years, they never married.
Nonika Galinea – Alekos Alexandrakis
In addition to his role as troupe leader, which began in 1956 and lasted for at least 35 years, Alekos Alexandrakis directed plays as well as films, such as “Triumph” (1960) with Karydis-Fuchs and “The Dream Apartment” (1961 ), which won an award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, but was banned by the censorship of the time.
“District the dream”
He collaborated with glamorous actresses, such as Melina Merkouri, Aliki Vougiouklakis, Jeni Karezi, Maro Kontou and Zoe Laskari.
In total, he starred in more than 75 films, among which stand out: “The Baptist”, “Stella”, “The Island of the Brave”, “Date in Corfu”, “Miss Manager”, “Tears for Electra”, ” Beautiful days”, “The Countess of Corfu”, “Maria of Silence”, “The Man with the Carnation”, “The Children of Helidona” and many more.
“Stella” with Melina Merkouri
In the theater he performed the most important roles. Among the performances in which he starred and left an era, are: “Strange Intermezzo”, “Day’s Journey into Night”, “They Were All My Children”, “Madame Butterfly”, “The Woman in Black”, “Four Rooms” with a garden”, “Crime and punishment”, “The long years”, “The seagull”.
On TV he starred in The Stranger Things, Juggerman and Secret Engagements.
In 1994 he performed with Mimi Denisis, “Uncle Vania” and two years later he returned to the National, where he had started. In the last years of his life he taught acting at the Diamantopoulos Workshop, while in 2001 the then President of the Republic, Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, awarded him the Golden Cross of the Order of Honor for his contribution to art.
He died on November 8, 2005after a long battle with cancer.
Source: www.zougla.gr
