Today is the birthday of Tzeni Karezi

Tzeni Karezi—the stage name of Eugenia Karpouzi—was one of the most important Greek actresses, distinguished in a wide range of roles in theater and cinema.

She was born on January 12, 1934, in Athens, but spent her childhood in various cities, as her parents were teachers. She showed an early love for the theater, participating in children's performances.

In 1951, after graduating from the Greek-French School "Agios Iosif," she played the role of Antigone in Sophocles' play of the same name, which was staged by the school's graduating class at the Rex Theater. That same year, she began her studies at the drama school of the National Theater. In 1954, she made her theatrical debut alongside Melina Merkouri and Vasilis Diamantopoulos in André Roussin's play "Helen of Troy".

In 1955, she appeared for the first time in cinema in Alekos Sakellarios' film "Latern, Poverty, and Honor," followed by more than 30 films, mainly comedies, which established her as a star.

She remained at the National Theater until 1959, performing important classical roles. From 1960 onwards, she formed her own theater companies, staging Greek and foreign plays with great success. A milestone in her career came in 1973, when, together with her second husband, actor Konstantinos Kazakos, she presented Iakovos Kampanellis' "Our Big Circus," with clear anti-dictatorial symbolism.

Shortly before the events at the Polytechnic, the junta, alarmed by the large audience turnout, interrupted the performances and imprisoned Karezi and Kazakos. In 1974, after their release, the play was staged again, with even greater impact.

During the Metapolitefsi, he collaborated exclusively with Kostas Kazakos, playing in iconic plays that were hugely successful. In 1985, she performed in an ancient drama for the first time, "Medea" at the Herodeion and Epidaurus, directed by Minos Volanakis.

Her last performance was in "Diamonds and Blues" in 1990-1991. On July 27, 1992, after battling cancer, the most beautiful eyes of Greek theater were extinguished forever.

Photos from left:

1. Tzeni Karezi with Lambros Konstantaras, with whom she co-starred in three films and a theatrical performance. Early 1960s. (Telecommunications Museum, Floros Brothers Archive – Nikos L. Floros)
2. With Lambros Konstantaras, reading pages from a script, most likely for the comedy "State Affairs", which premiered in 1962 at the Dionysia Theater. (Telecommunications Museum, Floros Brothers Archive – Nikos L. Floros)
3.  With Alekos Sakellarios in the early 1960s. (Telecommunications Museum, Floros Brothers Archive – Nikos L. Floros)