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Olympia Dukakis

Birth Place: Lowell, MA, USA

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BIO

New York appearances: Rose (Outer Critics Circle Award), Social Security directed by Mike Nichols, Who's Who in Hell, The Aspern Papers, Night of the Iguana, Christopher Durang's The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Obie Award), Sam Shepard's Curse of the Starving Class, Peer Gynt, Titus Andronicus, Electra, Vaclav Havel's Memorandum, Brecht's A Man's a Man (Obie Award), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and A View From the Bridge (Theatre World Award). Regional theatre: over 120 productions including founding member and Producing Artistic Director of the Whole Theatre in Montclair, NJ for 19 years, where she directed and appeared in many productions; Timberlake Wertenbaker's Hecuba and Leslie Ayvazian's Singer's Boy (A.C.T.); Lear and her Daughters (Shakespeare & Co.); Trinity Rep's The Glass Menagerie and The Hope Zone; and Williamstown Theatre Festival for 13 seasons where she also served as Associate Director, most recently Hecuba and The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore. London: Rose (world premiere at the Royal National Theatre). Films: Moonstruck (Academy Award, Best Supporting Actress; NY Film Critics, L.A. Film Critics and Golden Globe awards); Better Living; Picture Perfect with Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Bacon; Mafia!; Mr. Holland's Opus with Richard Dreyfus; Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite; I Love Trouble with Nick Nolte and Julia Roberts; Look Who's Talking 1, Too and Now! with John Travolta and Kirstie Alley; The Cemetery Club; Steel Magnolias directed by Herbert Ross; and Dad co-starring Jack Lemmon. Television: the two mini-series based on Armistead Maupin's novels, "Tales of the City" and "More Tales of the City" (Emmy, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA nominations); "Young at Heart" co-starring Frank Sinatra and Louis Zorich (Emmy nomination); "Lucky Day" co-starring Amy Madigan (Emmy nomination); "A Match Made in Heaven," with John Stamos and Della Reese; "The Last Act Is Solo" (ACE Award); the mini-series "Sinatra," as Frank Sinatra's mother (Emmy nomination); and for British TV "A Life for a Life" (BAFTA nomination). Other: NJ Governor's Walt Whitman Creative Arts Award; was active in Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign; and founding member of The National Museum of Women in the Arts. She is married to actor Louis Zorich, and they have three children, Christina, Peter and Stefan.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2011
Flora Goforth

[Off-Broadway]
2009
Loë Rieman

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2006
Ida Dodd

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Beatrice

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Rose

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Countess

[Broadway]
1986
Sophie Greengrass

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Soot Hudlocke

[Off-Broadway]
1978
Ella

[Broadway]
1974
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1973
Goya

[Off-Broadway]
1973
Goya

[Off-Broadway]
1969
Ingrid/ Greenclad Lady/ Anitra

[Off-Broadway]
1968
Helena

[Off-Broadway]
1967
Mrs. Bethnal-Green/ The Mother/ Stepney Green/ Debden

[Off-Broadway]
1964
Chrysothemis

[Broadway]
1964
Anne Dowling

Helen Balcon (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
1963
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Widow Leocadia Begbick

[Broadway]
1962
Miss Tina (Understudy)

Miss Bordereau (Understudy)

Assunta (Understudy)


Movies

Twice a Man
[ 1963 ] Young mother
John and Mary
[ 1969 ] John's Mother
Made for Each Other
[ 1971 ] Gig's Mother
The Wanderers
[ 1979 ] Joey's Mom
Rich Kids
[ 1979 ] Lawyer
The Idolmaker
[ 1980 ] Mrs. Vacarri
Movie Madness
[ 1982 ] Helena Naxos "Success Wanters"
Walls of Glass
[ 1985 ] Mary Flanagan
Moonstruck
[ 1987 ] Rose Ctorini
Working Girl
[ 1988 ] Personnel Director
Dad
[ 1989 ] Bette Tremont
Steel Magnolias
[ 1989 ] Clairee Belcher
Look Who's Talking
[ 1989 ] Rosie
Look Who's Talking Too
[ 1990 ] Rosie
In the Spirit
[ 1990 ] Sue
Over the Hill
[ 1992 ] Alma Harris
Digger
[ 1993 ] Bea
The Cemetery Club
[ 1993 ] Doris Silverman
Look Who's Talking Now
[ 1993 ] Rosie
I Love Trouble
[ 1994 ] Jeannie
Dead Badge
[ 1995 ] Dr. Doris Rice
Mighty Aphrodite
[ 1995 ] Jocta
Jeffrey
[ 1995 ] Mrs. Marcangelo
Mr. Holland's Opus
[ 1995 ] Principal Jacobs
Milk & Money
[ 1996 ] Goneril Plogg
Jerusalem
[ 1996 ] Mother Mrs. Gordon
Never Too Late
[ 1996 ] Rose
Balkan Island: The Last Story of the Century
[ 1997 ] Mother
Picture Perfect
[ 1997 ] Rita
Better Living
[ 1998 ] Nora
Mafia!
[ 1998 ] Sophia
Brooklyn Sonnet
[ 2000 ] Helen Manners
The Intended
[ 2002 ] Erina
Charlie's War
[ 2003 ] Charlie
The Event
[ 2003 ] Lila Shapiro
Whiskey School
[ 2005 ] Ellen Haywood
3 Needles
[ 2005 ] Hilde the Missionary Nun
The Great New Wonderful
[ 2005 ] Judy Hillerman
The Thing About My Folks
[ 2005 ] Muriel Kleinman
Jesus, Mary and Joey
[ 2005 ] Sophia Vitello
Day on Fire
[ 2006 ] Dr. Mary Wade
Upside Out
[ 2006 ] Dr. Walker
Away from Her
[ 2006 ] Marian
In the Land of Women
[ 2007 ] Phyllis
Birds of a Feather
[ 2011 ] Olympia
Cloudburst
[ 2011 ] Stella
The Misadventures of the Dunderheads
[ 2012 ] Ira
The Last Keepers
[ 2013 ] Rosmarie Carver
A Little Game
[ 2014 ] YaYa
7 Chinese Brothers
[ 2015 ] Grandma
Broken Links
[ 2016 ] Arlene
The Infiltrator
[ 2016 ] Aunt Vicky
Change in the Air
[ 2018 ] Margaret Lemke
Not to Forget
[ 2021 ] Judge

TV Shows

Bored to Death
Belinda
Center of the Universe
Marge Barnett
Forgive Me
Novalea
Sex & Violence
Alex Mandalakis
TripTank
Ma, Caller

Awards and Nominations


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Olympia DukakisRose


winner
Obie Awards - 1963 - Performance

Olympia Dukakis, A Man's A Man

Videos

News


Stephen McKinley Henderson Will Be Master Teacher for 2024 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship at Ten Chimneys

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced Stephen McKinley Henderson as the 2024 Master Teacher for the nationally acclaimed Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at the Historic National Landmark, Ten Chimneys.
Stephen Mckinley Henderson Will Lead The 2024 Lunt-fontanne Fellowship Program At Ten Chimneys

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced Stephen McKinley Henderson as the 2024 Master Teacher for the nationally acclaimed Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at the Historic National Landmark, Ten Chimneys.
Heidi Blickenstaff, Alex Edelman, and More Receive Elliot Norton Awards; Full List

Awards were presented tonight in 37 categories including outstanding actors, directors, designers, choreographers, musicians, productions and 4 visiting productions by the Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) at the 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards ceremony, held at the Huntington Theatre in Boston.  
EXTREME ACTS Comes to the Marsh This Weekend

 The world premiere of Extreme Acts by award-winning playwright Lynne Kaufman, which was originally announced as a two-play production at The Marsh San Francisco has now been updated to a 60-minute standalone performance.
Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Theatre Memphis

What’s up with all these therapists’ offices masquerading as beauty parlors? Women walk into these places as broken shells of themselves and often walk out feeling on top of the world. Sure, they get their hair and/or nails done, but they get so much more than just that. They’re renewed.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS Comes to Steel Beam Theatre

Steel Beam Theatre will present the heartwarming comedy-drama, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. Directed by Pat Henderson, this production promises a delightful evening of laughter, tears, and Southern charm.
Heidi Blickenstaff, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY And More Honored At 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards

Discover the winners of the 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards, celebrating excellence in the Boston theater scene. Stay updated with BroadwayWorld's latest news.
Red Bull Theater to Honor Alfred Molina And K. Ann McDonald at Gala Benefit

Alfred Molina and K. Ann McDonald will be honored at the Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit. Learn more about the benefit and see how to purchase tickets.
Steel Beam Theatre Announces Cast For STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Discover the newly announced cast for the Steel Beam Theatre's Chicagoland production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS.
Lynne Kaufman's World Premiere of EXTREME ACTS to Play at The Marsh SF

The Marsh San Francisco will present the world premiere of Extreme Acts, the thought-provoking latest work by award-winning playwright Lynne Kaufman, directed by Molly Noble. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Director Norman Jewison Dies at 97

Fiddler on the Roof director Norman Jewison has passed away at 97. He was nominated for an Oscar for directing the 1971 film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, starring Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, and Paul Mann. Jewison also directed Moonstruck, which won Cher an Academy Award.
Raue Center School For The Arts Will Host Three Fall Classes

 Raue Center has announced the return of its School for the Arts education program (RCSA) with three new classes. 
Ethan Watermeier & Rachel Stern to Star in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Olney Theatre Center

Discover Olney Theatre Center's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' with a fresh global perspective. This timeless musical explores themes of rising anti-Semitism, Russian aggression, refugee crises, and women's struggles against patriarchal authority. Don't miss this captivating show running from November 8 to December 31 in Olney, Maryland.
The Lesbian Thespians In Association With ArtServe Announce The Upcoming Florida Premiere Of CLOUDBURST

The Lesbian Thespians in Association with ArtServe announce the upcoming Florida premiere of “Cloudburst”. Ft. Lauderdale-based theatre company brings Thom Fitzgerald's award-winning film to the stage, featuring an older lesbian couple. Don't miss this rare production celebrating women of a certain age. Tickets on sale now.
Never Before Seen OF THINGS PAST Starring Michael Moriarty, Louise Caire Clark and Tara Reid to Debut in October

Of Things Past, a truly unique production, over 37 years in the making, at last will be enjoyed by North American viewing audiences beginning October 3rd on Amazon, Vudu and major cable systems' VOD, the announcement was made today by the film's distributor Jerome Courshon, CEO of Lion Heart Distribution.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS Opens September 21 At Westwego Cultural Center

Jefferson Performing Arts Society kicks off its Westbank 46th season stage productions with Steel Magnolias this month at the Westwego Cultural Center on Sala Avenue in Westwego.
WAM Theatre Announces Cast For Summer FRESH TAKES Play Readings

Producing Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven and the WAM Theatre team has announced an exciting ensemble of actors who are performing in the upcoming 2023 Fresh Takes Play Reading Series. The roster features a diverse array of talented performers. For all but one, Fresh Takes 2023 marks their WAM debut. 
THE HOURS Starring Fleming, O'Hara & DiDonato to Screen as Part of The Met's 2023 Summer HD Festival

The Metropolitan Opera’s 2023 Summer HD Festival, an annual New York pastime, returns to Lincoln Center Plaza Saturday, August 26 through Monday, September 4.
BTG Reveals Casting For MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and PHOTOGRAPH 51

Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) and Kate Maguire (Artistic Director, CEO) have announced casting for two of its summer 2023 shows: Million Dollar Quartet, a three-time Tony Award–nominated once-in-a-lifetime musical evening back by popular demand with some of the same cast as 2017 and Photograph 51, an intriguing portrait of the race to discover the mysteries of the DNA double helix. 
Jerry Zaks Will Lead The Nation's Top Regional Theater Actors As Master Teacher For The 2023 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced prominent director Jerry Zaks will serve as Master Teacher for the 2023 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program, a national program to serve the future of American theater.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Olympia Dukakis been in?

Olympia Dukakis has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Olympia Dukakis been in?

Olympia Dukakis has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Olympia Dukakis been nominated for?

Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Rose and Performance (Obie Awards) for A Man's A Man.

What awards has Olympia Dukakis won?

Olympia Dukakis has won the following awards: Outstanding Solo Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in Rose, and a Performance award at the Obie Awards for A Man's A Man.

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