Irene Papas - Actor Profile

Irene Papas

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
7.8 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 3, 1926
Birth Place: Chiliomodi, Corinth, Greece

About Irene Papas

Irene Papas (Greek: Ειρήνη Παππά, born Eirini Lelekou (Greek: Ειρήνη Λελέκου) 3 September 1929 – 14 September 2022)was a Greek actress and singer who starred in over 70 films in a career spanning more than 50 years. She gained international recognition through such popular award-winning films as The Guns of Navarone (1961), Zorba the Greek (1964) and Z (1969). She was a powerful protagonist in films including The Trojan Women (1971) and Iphigenia (1977). She played the title roles in Antigone (1961) and Electra (1962). She had a fine singing voice, on display in the 1968 recording Songs of Theodorakis. Papas won Best Actress awards at the Berlin International Film Festival for Antigone and from the National Board of Review for The Trojan Women. Her career awards include the Golden Arrow Award in 1993 at Hamptons International Film Festival, and the Golden Lion Award in 2009 at the Venice Biennale. Description above from the Wikipedia article Irene Papas, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Irene Papas reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Irene Papas's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 48% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Irene Papas remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Z, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Irene Papas Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Irene Papas's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Irene Papas.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2003 A Talking Picture Helena Hit Similar →
2001 ...και το τρένο πάει στον ουρανό Elena Michailovna Flop Similar →
2001 Captain Corelli's Mandolin Drosoula Average Similar →
1998 Inquietude Mother Average Similar →
1996 Party Irene Average Similar →
1994 Jacob Rebekka Hit Similar →
1989 Island Marquise Flop Similar →
1987 High Season Penelope Flop Similar →
1987 Chronicle of a Death Foretold Madre de Angela Hit Similar →
1987 A Child Called Jesus Old Maria Hit Similar →
1985 The Assisi Underground Mother Giuseppina Flop Similar →
1985 Into the Night Shaheen Parvici Hit Similar →
1983 Erendira Grandmother Amadis Average Similar →
1981 Lion of the Desert Mabrouka Hit Similar →
1979 Bloodline Simonetta Palazzi Flop Similar →
1979 Christ Stopped at Eboli Giulia Venere Hit Similar →
1977 Iphigenia Klytaimnistra Hit Similar →
1977 Blood Wedding La mère Flop Similar →
1976 Moses the Lawgiver Zippora Average Similar →
1976 The Message Hind Hit Similar →
1974 Bambina Raimonda Spina Flop Similar →
1973 The Battle of Sutjeska Borina majka Average Similar →
1972 Don't Torture a Duckling Dona Aurelia Avallone Hit Similar →
1972 N.P. - The Secret Casalinga Hit Similar →
1971 Roma bene Elena Teopoulos Average Similar →
1971 Oasis of Fear Barbara Slater Average Similar →
1971 The Trojan Women Helen Average Similar →
1969 Anne of the Thousand Days Queen Catherine Hit Similar →
1969 A Dream of Kings Caliope Flop Similar →
1969 Z Hélène Super Hit Similar →
1968 The Brotherhood Ida Ginetta Average Similar →
1968 Odissea Penelope Super Hit Similar →
1967 Witness Out of Hell Lea Weiss Hit Similar →
1967 We Still Kill the Old Way Luisa Roscio Hit Similar →
1966 Trap for the Assassin Julia de Noirville Flop Similar →
1964 Zorba the Greek Widow Hit Similar →
1964 The Moon-Spinners Sophia Average Similar →
1962 Electra Elektra Hit Similar →
1961 Antigone Antigone Super Hit Similar →
1961 The Guns of Navarone Maria Pappadimos Hit Similar →
1959 Bouboulina Laskarina Bouboulina Hit Similar →
1959 Pssst ... girls! Eleni Hit Similar →
1956 Tribute to a Bad Man Jocasta Constantine Hit Similar →
1954 Attila Grune Flop Similar →
1954 Theodora, Slave Empress Faidia Average Similar →
1953 Vortice Clara Hit Similar →
1953 The Man From Cairo Yvonne Lebeau Flop Similar →
1953 The Unfaithfuls Luisa Azzali Flop Similar →
1951 Dead City Lena Average Similar →
1948 Fallen Angels Liana Average Similar →

Irene Papas - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Irene Papas?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Irene Papas is "Z" with a rating of 7.8/10.

How many movies has Irene Papas acted in?

Irene Papas has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Irene Papas?

Other notable films include "Odissea", "Antigone", and "Zorba the Greek".