Ellie Lambeti facts for kids
Ellie Loukou (Greek: Έλλη Λούκου; born April 13, 1926 – died September 3, 1983), known professionally as Ellie Lambeti (Greek: Έλλη Λαμπέτη), was a famous Greek actress. She was known for her powerful performances in both theatre and film.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Ellie Lambeti was born in 1926 in a village called Vilia, in Attiki, Greece. Her parents were Kostas Loukos and Anastasia Stamati. She had six brothers and sisters. Her family moved to Athens in 1928.
During World War II, in 1940, Ellie's family moved to a large house in Athens. In December 1944, during a time of conflict known as the Dekemvriana, her mother sadly passed away in the house. This event deeply affected Ellie for many years.
Starting Her Acting Career
Ellie dreamed of becoming an actress. She tried to join two theatre schools in 1941 but was not accepted at first. However, a famous Greek actress named Marika Kotopouli saw Ellie's talent. Kotopouli decided to hire her for her own drama school.
Ellie then chose the professional name Lambeti. She quickly became a lead actress, starring in plays like Hanneles Himmelfahrt. In 1945, she met Marios Ploritis while filming Adoulotoi sklavoi (1946), which was one of her first movies. He later became her husband.
Working with Karolos Koun
In 1946, Ellie Lambeti began working with the well-known modern theatre director Karolos Koun. She played the main female roles in several important Greek plays, including:
- The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (1946)
- Antigone by Anouilh (1947)
- Bodas de sangre by Lorca (1948)
Success in the 1950s and 1960s
In August 1950, Ellie married Marios Ploritis. Their marriage ended in 1952. After that, she formed a strong acting partnership with Dimitris Horn. Together, they starred in and produced many theatre plays.
Famous Theatre Roles with Dimitris Horn
From 1953 to 1959, Ellie and Dimitris performed in popular plays such as:
- Libelei (1953)
- La Cuisine des Anges (1953)
- L'Invitation au Château (1955)
- Quality Street (1956)
- The Rainmaker (1956)
- Gigi (1957)
- The Fourposter (1957)
- Two for the Seesaw (1958)
- Dans sa Candeur Naive (1959)
Ellie faced some personal challenges during these years. Her sister Koula passed away in 1955. Her other sister, Eirini, died in a car accident in 1958. In 1959, she met Frederic Wakeman, Sr., an American novelist, who became her second husband.
Starring in Greek Films
Ellie Lambeti also became a big star in Greek films. She worked with famous director Michael Cacoyannis in movies like:
- Kyriakatiko xypnima (1954)
- To Koritsi me ta mavra (1956)
- To Telefteo psema (1957)
She also starred in Kalpiki lira (1955) by George Tzavellas. Ellie continued to shine on stage, playing important roles such as in The Heiress (1962) and as Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire (1965).
Later Career and Final Years
In the 1970s, Ellie Lambeti continued to have great success in theatre. She starred in plays like The Little Foxes (1973), Irma La Douce (1972), Miss Margarita (1975), and Filoumena Martourano (1978).
Ellie faced health challenges in her later years, battling breast cancer. Despite her illness, she continued to perform. She starred in popular theatre productions such as Thornton Wilder's Hello, Dolly! (1980) and as Sarah in Mark Medoff's Children of a Lesser God (1981).
Ellie Lambeti passed away on September 3, 1983, in New York City, at the age of 57. She is remembered as one of Greece's most talented and beloved actresses.
