Nikos Galanis: The Zen Prime of Greek Cinema Who Left a Legacy Through His Roles

Born on December 20, 1945, Nikos Galanis wrote his golden chapter in Greek cinema, theater, and television before passing away on May 19, 2023, at the age of 80. Originally named Nikos Soupionas, he began his career in the 1960s and became widely recognized in the early 1970s with leading roles in Greek films. According to FinosFilm, he was characterized as ‘a ram of talent, charm, and intense expressiveness.’ He built a timeless profile that continues to remind us of the great peak era of Greek cinema. Galanis made his cinematic debut in 1962 with a small role in the film ‘Anger’ and studied acting at Kostas Michailidis’ Dramatic School. In the late 1960s, he appeared in films such as ‘Cry,’ ‘My Tears Are Hot,’ ‘The Skydiver,’ ‘The Street of Hate,’ ‘Panic,’ and ‘I Die Every Day.’ In the early 1970s, he starred alongside Aliki Vougiouklaki in ‘A Funny Girl,’ gaining widespread recognition. Other notable films include ‘Zero Visibility,’ ‘The Lightning John,’ and ‘The Sin of Beauty.’ On television, he debuted in 1974 with the series ‘The Just’ and went on to star in numerous series like ‘Marina Augeri,’ ‘Immortal Love Stories,’ ‘Forbidden Love,’ and more. Despite personal relationships that didn’t last long, including engagements and marriages, Galanis remained close friends with many colleagues. In recent years, he was in a relationship with businesswoman Eleni Saganá. Until the end of his life, Galanis continued acting, most recently in the TV series ‘The Land of Elias.’