Melpo Zarokosta, Iconic Greek Actress, Dies at 92

The veteran Greek stage and film actress Melpo Zarokosta (also known as Melpomeni Zarokosta) has passed away at the age of 92 (some sources report 93, likely due to rounding or birthday timing).

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni expressed her condolences, describing Zarokosta as a "discreet and modest presence" in the acting world who shunned unnecessary self-promotion.

Born in Piraeus in 1933 (on May 7, according to biographical records), she was the daughter of Ilias Zarokostas, one of Greece's early actuaries, and Despina Spyropoulou. At age 14, she relocated with her family to Alexandria, Egypt, and later moved to Australia. There, she studied theater, acting, directing, and radio production, and participated in several stage productions in Sydney.

She returned to Greece at around age 25 and built a prolific career in theater, cinema, and screenwriting. Zarokosta became especially well-known for her roles in popular Greek films during the 1960s and 1970s golden era of Greek cinema. Notable appearances include:

• Η βίλα των οργίων (The Villa of Orgies, 1964)
• Διαζύγιο α λα ελληνικά (Divorce Greek Style, 1964)
• Υπάρχει και φιλότιμο (A Matter of Earnestness, 1965)
• Η γυναίκα μου τρελάθηκε (My Wife Went Mad, 1966)
• Κάτι κουρασμένα παλικάρια (Some Tired Boys, 1966)
• Όταν η πόλις πεθαίνει (When the City Dies, 1969)
• Μια τρελή τρελή σαραντάρα (A Crazy Crazy 40-Year-Old, 1970)
• Her last film with Finos Film: Αλίκη δικτάτωρ (Alice Dictator, 1972)

She also appeared in classics like To xylo vgike apo ton paradeiso (Maiden's Cheek series) and others. Her final Greek screen role was in the 2006 film Πέντε λεπτά ακόμα (Five More Minutes), directed by Yiannis Xanthopoulos. Internationally, her last known appearance was in the 2012 Turkish production Strangers in the House, where she played a Greek woman forced to leave Smyrna in 1922.

In her later years, Zarokosta chose to reside in the Athens Nursing Home (Γηροκομείο Αθηνών). The news of her passing on January 16, 2026, was shared via social media by family members, including her niece Daisy Galiatsatou.

Her legacy endures through her contributions to Greek theater, film, and culture.