The film Cloudburst (2011), in which she shared a co-lead with Brenda Fricker, became a critical and audience darling, winning a multitude of "Best Film" awards and several "Best Actress" honors (Seattle, San Diego) at various film festivals.An ardent liberal and Democrat, she was the cousin of 1988 presidential nominee Michael Dukakis. Winning the Oscar led inevitably to more recognition, though not necessarily bigger parts. In addition to decades in the theater and an award-winning film career, Dukakis also taught drama classes at New York University. [28], In 2011, Dukakis guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In this June 26, 2011 file photo, Actress Olympia Dukakis, a celebrity Grand Marshall for the 41st annual Gay Pride parade, waves to the crowd in San Francisco. She has been successful placing clients in the media such as, THE TALK (CBS), Home & Family (Hallmark Channel), KTLA 5 Morning News, Good Day LA, Daily Variety, Los Angeles Times, OC Register, LA Weekly, LA Magazine, amongst others. Previously she worked with outdoorsman and conservationist Steven Rinella on MeatEater (Sportsman, Netflix) and The Wild Within (Travel), and with Phil Rosenthal on I'll Have What Phil's Having (PBS). Dukakis made her film debut as a patient in a mental hospital in Robert Rossens Lilith (1964). She performed in over 130 productions on and off-Broadway and regionally at theatres including the Public Theater, A.C.T., Shakespeare in the Park, Shakespeare & Co., and the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where she also served as Associate Director. Brooke Lefferts. She and her late husband shared three children - Christina, Peter, and Stefan. After more than two decades of distinguished work in the US theatre as an actor, director and teacher, and appearances in a dozen or so films, Olympia Dukakis, who has died aged 89, became hugely famous overnight by winning the best supporting actress Oscar in 1988 for her performance as Chers mother in the romantic film Moonstruck (1987). MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (AP) Olympia Dukakis, the veteran stage and screen actress whose flair for maternal roles helped her win an Oscar as Cher's mother in the romantic comedy "Moonstruck," has died. Olympia herself was a delegate from New Jersey at the 1988 Democratic national convention. The Oscar-winning actressOlympia Dukakis has died at the age of 89, according to the Hollywood Reporter. ", It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. Dukakis was born to Greek immigrant parents in Massachusetts in 1931. There were no gates, no fences, no security. by her passion for theatre work. 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Dukakis was married to actor Louis Zorich from 1962 until his death in 2018. Olympia Dukakis, the veteran stage and screen actor whose flair for maternal roles helped her win an Oscar as Cher's mother in the romantic comedy Moonstruck, has died. One afternoon I was caught by a horde of kids, tied to a tree, and had my socks stuffed down my throat," she said. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. She was additionally seen in episodes of Bored to Death (2009), and TV movies The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000) (Judi Dench), Sinatra (1992) (Golden Globe Nominee), and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999) (Emmy Nominee). In 1962 she married the actor Louis Zorich, and they were the artistic inspiration behind the Whole Theatre in Monclair, New Jersey (1973-1990), adapting plays for the company and directing dinner theatre there and at summer festivals elsewhere in the US. [16], Moonstruck (1987) was directed by Norman Jewison who predicted Dukakis would receive honors for the role. In the post-production realm, she workedwith Company 3 in films such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) and 20th Century Fox in the films Epic (2013), Rio 2 (2014) and Ferdinand (2017). Soon enough, I found myself in front of a small bungalow in a nondescript part ofWest Hollywood. Moonstruck is a 1987 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and co-produced by Norman Jewison, written by John Patrick Shanley, and starring Cher, Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello, Olympia Dukakis, and Vincent Gardenia.The film follows Loretta Castorini, a widowed Italian-American woman who falls in love with her fianc's hot-tempered, estranged younger brother. My ambition wasnt to win the Oscar, she said after her Moonstruck win. [9], Prior to her film career, Dukakis began a decades-long stage life working in 1961 in productions at the Williamstown Summer Theater, in the northwestern corner of Massachusetts. Olympia published her best-selling autobiography "Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress" in 2003, an introspective chronicle full of her trademark candor and wry humor. Harrys directing and producing credits include Olympia; the award-winning, critically-acclaimed feature documentary on Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis and Yankee Restraint; a character driven piece that examines the intricacies of a gay relationship spanning decades and tackles issues of love and resentment. Not so for Dukakis. Pamela Spyrs is a publicist, producer and activist based in Southern California who has accumulated a vast network of artists, filmmakers, designers, environmental game changers, and humanitarian leaders. At the same time as she had picked up the Oscar for Moonstruck, her first cousin Michael Dukakis began his unsuccessful quest for the presidency against George HW Bush. I was competitive and rebellious, something my mother was ill-equipped to handle., From there, the familywould move to Somerville, living amongst the French, Irish and Armenian working class. Previously Sam spent many years managing and co-producing feature/short films, and trailers for Stunning Cuts Films a Brooklyn based production company. MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (AP) Olympia Dukakis, the veteran stage and screen actor whose flair for maternal roles helped her win an Oscar as Cher's mother in the romantic comedy "Moonstruck," has died.. The burglar left only her nameplate. "After many months of failing health she is finally at peace and. "I love this chaotic, contradictory, loving mess that has been my life.". Olympia practiced as a physical therapist during the polio epidemic. Bush. Film Festival and the short Suit Yourself showcased at 2012 My Hero Film Festival. Once out of that corner of New England and hitting the pavement of the Great White Way, it didn't take long for her to be recognized for her talent and skill. [3], Dukakis appeared in a number of films, including Steel Magnolias, Mr. Holland's Opus, Jane Austen's Mafia!, The Thing About My Folks and Moonstruck, for which she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. I never told my parents, but by the time I turned 11, I carried a knife with me everywhere I went. Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis passed away on Saturday, May 1 at the age of 89 in New York City. "[6], Dukakis was an alumna of Arlington High School in Arlington, Massachusetts,[7] and was educated at Boston University where she majored in physical therapy, earning a BA, which she made use of when treating patients with polio during the height of the epidemic. She was 89. Television: Big Driver, Sex & Violence, Forgive Me, Bored to Death, Last of the Blond Bombshells, Sinatra (Golden Globe Nominee), Joan of Arc (Emmy Nominee), Tales of the City, More Tales of the City (Emmy Nominee), Further Tales of the City among more than 40 others. She leaned across the table, looked me dead in the eye and said, Loretta, do you love him? I squeaked out the prescribed response, Ma, I love him awful. She gently shook her head and said, Aw God, thats too bad. And with that she smiled, grabbed my hand and gave it a quick squeeze, demurely signaling the end of our time together. November 30, 1962 - January 30, 2018 (his death, 3 children), The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999). Angie Dix is an Emmy Award-winning American editor and producer working in the film and television world for more than 10 years. All Rights Reserved. I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours with Olympia one lazy Saturday morning,more than a decade ago. MAPLEWOOD, N.J. Olympia Dukakis, the veteran stage and screen actress whose flair for maternal roles helped her win an Oscar as Cher's mother in the romantic comedy Moonstruck, has died. Olympia Dukakis, who died on May 1 at 89, had a face like no one else's. Stern but perpetually amused, with a warm leer of a grin that could light up a scene, she looked like the comedy and . Her Best Supporting Actress Oscar statuette was stolen from her home Her agent, Allison Levy, also confirmed her death to CNN. [13], Dukakis' prolific stage directing credits include many of the classics: Orpheus Descending, The House of Bernarda Alba, Uncle Vanya, and A Touch of the Poet, as well as the more contemporary; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Kennedy's Children. She spoke in the past about "stepping up" for students that she found particularly talented because, "people have stepped out for me.". Most recently alongsideOlympia,Sam editedParkland Risinganaward-winning documentary feature film about the Stoneman Douglas shootings which has been touring the festival circuit around the country. Memorial and Museum, and founded the Johnny and Mikey Katsimatides Foundation for Lifein memory of her two brothers. The course of her career suggests that her ambitions never lay in the direction of Hollywood. The rough-and-tumble atmosphereof her earliest years acted as a crucible for Dukakis. Olympia Dukakis, Oscar Winner for 'Moonstruck,' Dies at 89 A veteran of the stage who also had a long list of film and TV credits, she was best known for playing characters who were worldly . Across that span, productions included the works of Euripides, Eugene O'Neill, Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, and Lanford Wilson. Gail Fisher - Mannix. She gained a BA in physical therapy at Boston University, later returning to study performing arts for a master of fine arts degree. 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