Olympia Dukakis was born June 20, 1931, in Lowell, Massachusetts. Her parents, Alexandra Christos and Constantine Dukakis, were both Greek immigrants. Not the only one in the family with ambitions to be in the spotlight, her brother is actor Apollo Dukakis, and her cousin is former Massachusetts governor and 1988 presidential candidate Michael Dukakis.
Dukakis obtained her secondary education from Boston University, getting a BA in physical therapy. As she struggled to earn stage jobs, she was able to support herself through her work as a physical therapist. She eventually returned to school for her MFA in performing arts.
Dukakis initially opted against television and film work. Instead, she explored her passion for acting through the stage. This proved, however, an exceedingly difficult way to make a living. It wasn’t until she was thirty that she earned her Broadway debut in The Aspern Papers.
In 1962, Dukakis married fellow actor Louis Zorich, who is best known for his recurring role as Burt Buchman on the wildly popular series Mad About You, starring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt. Together they founded the Whole Theatre Company in 1973. It was based out of New Jersey, and they ran and maintained the company for fifteen years.
Dukakis also made her screen debut in 1962 with a one episode appearance on the television show The Nurses. Other notable guest appearances included Martin Sheen, George Segal, Alan Alda, William Shatner, and Doris Roberts.
For the next twenty years, Dukakis juggled acting, running the Whole Theatre, and raising her three children with Zorich. While she did find steady work throughout the 70s and 80s, she focused mainly on teaching acting at New York University.
Her big break, however, came in 1987 when she was cast as Rose Castorini in the romantic comedy Moonstruck. Opposite Cher, Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello, and John Mahoney, the film walked away with three Oscars, one of which was awarded to Dukakis for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Proving her prowess as an actress, Dukakis soon found herself inundated with choice roles. In 1989, she won a role in Steel Magnolias alongside an all-star cast including Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Julia Roberts, Tom Skerritt, Sam Shepard, and Dylan McDermott. She is also noted for her work in the romantic comedy Look Who’s Talking, opposite John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, and the voice work of Bruce Willis.
In the mid-90s, Dukakis found success with the Woody Allen film Mighty Aphrodite and the inspirational film Mr. Holland’s Opus beside Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, and William H Macy.
Showing no signs of slowing down, Dukakis still proves exceedingly in demand. In 2004, she served for thirteen episodes on the television series Center of the Universe opposite John Goodman, Jean Smart, Spencer Breslin, and Edward Asner. She also acted in the recent films Away From Her and In the Land of Women. She is currently in pre-production for the comedy Poor Things with former co-star Shirley MacLaine.
In addition to acting, Dukakis is equally as noted for her strong liberal political views and advocacy for women’s rights as well as environmental issues. She currently lives in New York with husband Zorich.
YUDDY
