Olympia Dukakis in the 1987 movie “Moonstruck.” She won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a sardonic Italian-American mother. Credit: MGM, via Photofest
Olympia Dukakis, legendary screen actress and long-time New Yorker, passed away on May 1, 2021 at the age of 89. Her career in front of the camera spanned nearly six decades and left an indelible impression in the film, TV and theater world. Source: Deadline.
Olympia is best known for playing Rose Castorini, the mother of Cher in 1987’s Moonstruck, for which she took home the Academy Award for Support Actress at the age of 56. She also appeared in many other iconic films, including Steel Magnolias. In 2020, Olympia, a feature-length documentary about her life, was released theatrically in the United States.
Dukakis’ brother, Apollo Dukakis announced her death in a Facebook post, writing: “My beloved sister, Olympia Dukakis, passed away this morning in New York City. After many months of failing health she is finally at peace and with her Louis.” Dukakis is predeceased by her husband, actor Louis Zorich, who died in 2018. She is survived by their three children and four grandchildren. Take a look at Deadline’s photo gallery celebrating Olympia Dukakis’ career.
