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Alexis Minotis
Alexis Minotis in The Chase.jpg
Alexis Minotis in The Chase
Born
Alexandros Minotakis

(1900-08-08)8 August 1900
Chania, Cretan State
Died 11 November 1990(1990-11-11) (aged 90)
Athens, Greece
Resting place First Cemetery of Athens
Other names Alexis Minotis
Occupation Actor and stage director
Spouse(s)
(m. 1940; died 1973)

Alexis Minotis was a famous Greek actor and director. He was born on August 8, 1900, as Alexandros Minotakis. He passed away on November 11, 1990. Minotis became well-known for his amazing acting skills and for directing many plays, especially ancient Greek tragedies.

Early Life and Stage Career

Alexis Minotis started his acting journey in his home, Crete. His first roles were in ancient Greek plays. He played the Chorus Leader and a Messenger in Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles.

From 1925 to 1930, he worked closely with Marika Kotopouli, another famous Greek actress. During this time, he took on big roles in plays by William Shakespeare. He starred in The Merchant of Venice, King Lear, and Macbeth. He also played the main character in Hamlet, which was the first time this play was performed in Greece.

Minotis also acted in other classic plays. These included Ghosts and Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen. He also started directing plays. He directed ancient Greek tragedies like Hecuba and Antigone. He also directed modern plays such as Juno and the Paycock and Mother Courage.

Working with Katina Paxinou

In 1940, Alexis Minotis married the talented actress Katina Paxinou. They worked together on many plays. They performed at the National Theatre of Greece in Athens. This theatre was started in 1930 by the Minister of Education, Georgios Papandreou.

Hollywood Films

In 1946, Minotis traveled to Hollywood in the United States. He appeared in the movie Notorious, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He acted alongside famous stars like Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman.

In the same year, he was also in the film The Chase. He later appeared in other movies:

Directing and International Tours

In 1955, Minotis directed Katina Paxinou in Hecuba at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. He also starred in and directed Oedipus Rex. In 1956, he performed in Oedipus at Colonus. This play was very successful. Minotis and his theatre company went on a long tour around the world.

He also performed on Broadway in New York City. He was in Electra in 1930-31. Later, in 1952, he performed in Oedipus Tyrannus with the National Theatre of Greece.

In 1958, Minotis directed the famous opera singer Maria Callas. He directed her in an opera called Medea in Dallas. This production was also shown in London, Milan, and Epidaurus. He also directed Callas in the opera Norma in Epidaurus in 1960.

Filmography

Alexis Minotis acted in several films throughout his career. Here are some of them:

Year Title Role Notes
1930 Gia tin agapi tis
1946 Notorious Joseph, Sebastian's butler
1946 The Chase Lt. Acosta
1949 Siren of Atlantis Cortot
1950 Panic in the Streets John Mefaris - Restaurant Owner Uncredited
1955 Land of the Pharaohs Hamar, the High Priest
1957 Boy on a Dolphin Milidias Nadapoulos

See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Alexis Minotís para niños

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