Michael Constantine
Michael Constantine | |
|---|---|
 Constantine in Room 222 in 1969 | |
| Born | Gus Efstratiou May 22, 1927 Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 2021 (aged 94) Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Charles Evans Cemetery |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1953–2016 |
| Known for | Seymour Kaufman in Room 222 (1969-1974) Gus Portakalos in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise (2002-2016) |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 2 |
Michael Constantine (born Gus Efstratiou (Ευστρατίου); May 22, 1927 – August 31, 2021) was an American actor. He is most widely recognized for his portrayal Kostas "Gus" Portokalos, the stubborn Greek father of Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos), in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002).[1] For his performance, Constantine won the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy.
Early in his career, Constantine earned acclaim for his television work, especially as the long-suffering high school principal, Seymour Kaufman, on
Early life
Constantine was born Gus Efstratiou in
Career
He began his career on the New York stage in the mid-1950s as understudy to Paul Muni in Inherit the Wind.[3]
He studied acting with such prominent mentors as
He played Santa Claus in Prancer (1989). In 1993, Constantine appeared in the independent drama Question of Faith, starring Anne Archer and Sam Neill. He played Tadzu Lempke in Stephen King's Thinner (1996). In 2002, he enjoyed an unexpected comeback as the Windex-toting Gus Portokalos in the hit movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a role he reprised on the short-lived television series My Big Fat Greek Life, and a sequel film with the original cast, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which was released on March 25, 2016.[6]
Personal life
On October 5, 1953, Constantine married actress Julianna McCarthy, whom he met while in the cast of Inherit the Wind. They had two children, Thea Eileen and Brendan Neil. The marriage ended in divorce in 1969, the same year that Constantine began his role on Room 222. He later married Kathleen Christopher in 1974, though they also later divorced in 1980.[3]
Death
Constantine died at his home in Reading, Pennsylvania, on August 31, 2021, at age 94, from natural causes.[7][8] My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, which was released two years after his death, was dedicated to his memory.[9]
Filmography
Film
Television
- Brenner (1 episode, 1959)
- Target: The Corruptors! (1 episode), 1961
- The Untouchables (5 episodes, 1961–1963)
- The Lloyd Bridges Show (2 episodes, 1962–1963)
- The Eleventh Hour as Dr. Jamison in episode "And God Created Vanity" (1963)
- The Dakotas as Marshak in "Trouble at French Creek" (1963)
- Channing (1 episode, 1963) as Nick in "No Wild Games for Sophie" (1963)
- Gunsmoke (2 episodes, 1963–1968)
- I Am the Night Color Me Black"
- Slattery's People (1964) one episode as Hungerford in "Remember The Dark Sins of Youth?"
- Perry Mason (2 episodes, 1964–1965)
- The Outer Limits (episode 46 "Counterweight", 1964)
- My Favorite Martian (TV series) (2 episodes, 1965–1966)
- Profiles in Courage (2 episodes, 1964)
- The Virginian (1 episode, 1965)
- Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea – The Indestructible Man (1 episode 1965)
- The Fugitive (3 episodes, 1965–1967) (Ernie Svoboda, Ben Wyckoff, Arthur Art Howe)
- I Spy (2 episodes, 1966)
- 12 O'Clock High (1 episode, 1966)
- The Road West in episode "To Light a Candle" (series, 1966)
- The Dick Van Dyke Show (1 episode, 1966)
- The Jean Arthur Show (2 episodes as Carnella, 1966)
- Hogan's Heroes (1 episode, 1966) as Heinrich -episode- "It Takes a Thief...Sometimes"
- Hey Landlord(series, 1966–1967)
- Combat! (as Jacques Patron, episode "Entombed", 1967)
- Dundee and the Culhane (1 episode, 1967 series)
- The Invaders (1 episode, 1968)
- The Flying Nun (as Juan, episode "Sister Lucky", 1968)
- Mission: Impossible (1 episode, 1969) (Nikor Janos)
- Room 222 Series – Seymour Kaufman (1969–1974)
- Bonanza (as a new settler whose greedy neighbor refuses him piped water for irrigation)
- The Odd Couple (series, 1970–1975)
- Mary Tyler Moore (1 episode, 1971)
- Night Gallery (1970-1973) 1 episode "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes".
- The Streets of San Francisco – Al Davies – in episode "A Wrongful Death" (series, 1973)
- ‘’Kojak’’ (1 episode, 1974)
- The Krofft Supershow: Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (4 episodes, 1976) as The Sorcerer
- Sirota's Court (13 episodes, 1976–1977 series)
- 79 Park Avenue (miniseries, 1977)
- Roots: The Next Generations (miniseries, 1979)
- Quincy, M.E. (4 episodes) (1979 Season 4 Episodes 14 & 15 "Walk Softly Through the Night" Parts 1 and 2) (1981 Dr Arthur Clotti – in season 6, episode 14 "Seldom Silent, Never Heard") ( 1983 Season 8 Episode 3 "Give Me Your Weak")
- Fantasy Island (1 episode, 1980)
- Benson 1982 season 4 episodes 1 & 2 as Marvin Musker
- The Love Boat (2 episodes, 1983)
- Amanda's (1 episode, 1983)
- Mama's Family (1 episode, 1983)
- The Fall Guy (1 episode, 1983)
- Remington Steele (3 episodes, 1984–1986)
- Simon & Simon (3 episodes, 1984–1988)
- Highway to Heaven (1 episode, 1985)
- Airwolf (1 episode, 1985)
- MacGyver (2 episodes, 1985–1987) – Inspector Jan Messic
- Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes, 1985–1988)
- Magnum, P.I. (1 episode, 1986)
- Friday the 13th: The Series ("Pipe Dream" 1988)
- Probe ("Plan 10 From Outer Space", 1988)
- Law & Order (2 episodes, 1992–1994)
- Cosby (1 episode, 1997)
- My Big Fat Greek Life (7 episodes, 2003)
- Cold Case (1 episode, 2007)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Production | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy | Room 222 | Won |
| 1971 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Nominated | ||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actor - Television | |||
| 2003 | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical | My Big Fat Greek Wedding | Won |
References
- ^ Kehr, Dave (April 19, 2002). "FILM IN REVIEW; 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ Hatza, George (December 20, 2014). "George Hatza: Michael Constantine prepares for 'Greek' sequel". Reading Eagle. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ a b c Fox, Margalit (September 8, 2021). "Michael Constantine, Dad in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' Dies at 94". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ ""Death Valley Days" Paid in Full (TV Episode 1965)". IMDb. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ ""Death Valley Days" The Great Turkey War (TV Episode 1965)". IMDb. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2". My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movie. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
- ^ Botch, Don (September 8, 2021). "Reading native and Emmy-winning actor Michael Constantine dies at 94 [Video]". Reading Eagle. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Calvario, Liz (September 8, 2021). "Michael Constantine, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' Actor, Dead at 94". ET Online. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ Weiss, Benjamin (June 27, 2022). "Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
External links
- Michael Constantine at IMDb
- Michael Constantine at the TCM Movie Database
- Michael Constantine at AllMovie
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