Melina Mercuri - Birthdate and Death date:
She was born Maria Amalia Mercouris. Her name is sometimes spelled Mercuri rather than Mercouri.
Birthday: October 18th, 1925 (some sources give 1920) in Athens, Greece
Died: March 6th, 1994, from lung cancer.
Melina Mercouri's Major Roles:
She scandalized some when she played a happy prostitute in "Never on Sunday" (Pote tin Kyriaki), still one of the best-known movies shot in Greece. The retelling of the "Phaedra" myth was another well-known role for her. She was also an accomplished popular singer and sang in some of her movies. Melina Mercouri was nominated for the Academy Award in 1960 but did not win.
Melina Mercouri was married to director Jules Dassin, who directed several of her films.
Madame Minister Melina Mercouri:
Melina Mercouri was appointed the Greek Minister of Culture, a role which she played with all of her heart. Melina was instrumental in raising awareness of the plight of the Parthenon Marbles and actively lobbied for their return to Greece long before such "repatriation" of objects from any foreign museum was considered achievable.
Melina Mercouri also founded the European intercultural exchange program called "The Cultural Capital of Europe" where different cities throughout Europe are given this designation annually.
The Hellenic Ministry of Culture has a page dedicated to Melina.
Melina Mercouri Day:
In honor of Melina Mercouri's work, both on film and as an activist Minister of Culture, Greece declared March 6th Melina Mercuri Day. Each year, all museums in Greece have free admission in her honor on that day.
Melina Mercouri - A Speech:
Melina Mercouri gave a moving speech to launch the first voyage of the recreated ancient Greek ship the Kyrenia.
