Irene Papas, a Greek actress who found fame in Hollywood through films such as Zorba The Greek and The Guns of Navarone, has died aged 96 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The star enjoyed a career spanning more than 50 years, finding fame in both European and American film industries. She was also known for her stage work, particularly in Greek tragedies.
Irene's death was announced on Wednesday by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports. Greek media outlets report she had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2013.
"Majestic, stately, dynamic, Irene Papas was the personification of Greek beauty on cinema screens and on the stage, an international star who radiated Greekness," Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement posted on Twitter.
The statement continued: "With the power of her talent and the charm of her personality, she conquered the world of cinema and theatre."
Tributes poured in for the actress on Twitter, with one person writing: "In addition to being a good actress, she was a woman of great character and charm. Condolences to her family and all her loved ones. May her memory be a blessing."
Another fan said: "After the queen of England the queen of Ithaca died," while a third person tweeted: "What a great artist #IrenePapas. A huge loss."
"Another goddess who returned to Olympus," penned another.
Irene was born in a village near Corinth, Greece, in 1926. She began her acting career in classical theatre and moved into film with 1948’s Fallen Angels.
Her Hollywood career saw her star in films alongside icons including Gregory Peck, James Cagney and Kirk Douglas.
Irene's first Hollywood role was in The Man From Cairo with George Raft. By 1956 she was starring opposite James Cagney in Tribute to A Bad Man.
Irene was married and divorced twice in her life. In 2004, she revealed she had been involved in a secret love affair with Marlon Brando, after they met in Rome in 1954.
After his death, she told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sere: "I have never since loved a man as I loved Marlon.
"He was the great passion of my life, absolutely the man I cared about the most and also the one I esteemed most, two things that generally are difficult to reconcile."
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