Eleni Prokopiou, star of old Greek cinema, dies at 87

Grief has gripped the world of Greek cinema: Eleni Prokopiou (Ελένη Προκοπίου), the actress, dancer and distinguished choreographer of old Greek cinema, died on September 27, 2026 in Athens, at the age of 87, as Protothema reports. The sad news was first announced by actress Melpo Kosti, according to the Greek newspaper’s report.

Born on July 7, 1939, Prokopiou began dancing at the age of 6 and quickly became known by forming, with Vangelis Seilinos, the famous dance duet of the Athens revue theatres, before making her film debut in 1960.

Her film career lasted until 1972, with appearances in 23 films — many of them by the legendary Finos Film studio — among them ‘Randevu në ajër’ (1965), ‘O emiris kai o kakomiris’ (1964), ‘To prosopo tis imeras’ (1965) and ‘Oi kyries tis avlis’ (1966). She also formed an inseparable cinematic pair with Giorgos Pantzas, with whom she shared the screen in five films, Protothema writes.

In the early 1970s, the actress married businessman Antonis Syrigos and retired definitively from the stage, devoting herself to private life; from this marriage her daughter, Eirini, was born.

Eleni Prokopiou remains one of the most beloved figures of the golden age of Greek cinema, remembered both for her talent in dance and choreography and for the roles she left behind in the classic films of the 1960s.