Manos Katrakis, one of the leading Greek actors of the 20th century, left an indelible imprint on the Greek theatre and film scene. With his commanding presence and deep, expressive voice, he embodied roles that remain alive in our memory. His career, full of important performances and artistic conquests, transcends the narrow boundaries of acting, leaving a legacy that inspires to this day. In this text, we will explore the life and work of Manos Katrakis, honouring this great creator who contributed decisively to the evolution of Greek theatre and cinema.
He was born in August 1908 in Kastelli Kissamos and passed away today, September 2, 1984.

He was the youngest of five children of the merchant Haralambos Katrakis and Irini. Before he was 10 years old, his family moved to Athens as his father’s business was not doing so well and they felt that the capital would offer more professional opportunities than Crete. At a young age he was forced to become the protector of the family as his father was constantly away and his older brother Yannis was living in America.

In 1919 his family moved to Athens, where Manos, who had shown his acting talent from an early age, appeared for the first time on a theatrical stage. He made his debut at the age of just 18, with the company The Youth in the play For Her Love. His brio and dynamism delighted the director Kostas Leloudas and a year later, in 1928, he appeared in the first silent film The Banner of 21.

During the same period, he joined the troupe of the Elefthera Stage of Marika Kotopouli, Spyros Melas and Mitsos Myrat, performing in plays such as The Lyre of old Nikolas, The Wretches and Stella Violanti. In 1930 he collaborated with V. Rota’s Popular Theatre and in 1932 he joined the newly founded National Theatre, where he performed, among other roles, the Coryphaeus in Agamemnon and the Cretan in Babylonia.

In 1943, Manos Katrakis became President of the Greek Actors’ Association and from this position he contributed decisively to the establishment of the State Theatre of Northern Greece, where he worked until 1946, before returning to the National Theatre. However, in 1947, due to his leftist beliefs, he was removed from the National Theatre. Refusing to sign a declaration of repentance, he was exiled to Ikaria, Makronissos and Agios Efstratios.

In 1952, he returned to Athens and began organizing “poetry afternoons” at the Mousouri Theatre. He returned to the stage with the company of Katerina Andreadi and collaborated with the company of Adamantios Lemos and the Thymelic Company of Linos Karzi, performing “Prometheus Bound”. From 1953 to 1955, he appeared with Kyveli and then created his own company with Aspasia Papathanasiou, staging performances such as “Eugenia Grande” and “The Girl with the Ribbon”.

In 1955 he founded the Hellenic People’s Theatre, which settled in the open-air area of the Areos Field, where he inaugurated the performances with “The Shepherd’s Agape”. In this theatre, he managed to attract a wide audience and succeed artistically, promoting Greek plays such as “Monosandalus” and “Antigone of the Occupation”, as well as adaptations of Kazantzakis’ works such as “Christ is Re-Crucified”.

In 1972 he returned to the National Theatre, where he starred in major productions such as “Othello” and “Don Quixote”, while at Epidaurus he participated in “Oedipus Tyrannus” and “Prometheus Bound”.

He went on to collaborate with leading artists such as Aliki Vougiouklaki and the State Theatre of Northern Greece. In 1977 he re-founded the Hellenic People’s Theatre, staging works by great writers such as Arbuzov and Brecht. His last performance took place in 1984 at the Herodesion, with the play “Commission” by Theo Antoniou.

Manos Katrakis was one of the greatest actors of his time, collaborating with prominent personalities of art and leaving an indelible mark on cinema, with performances in films such as “Marinos Kontaras” and “The Dream Quarter”. He was awarded for his performances in various festivals, confirming his enormous contribution to Greek art.
He married at the age of 25 Anna Lori, also an actress, but they soon divorced.

During the Occupation he married Nena Vrakotsolis, with whom he had an affair before the war. His wife became pregnant, but after eight months she miscarried and lost her twins.
In 1954, after a theatrical premiere, he met his third wife, Linda Alma.

The constant strain on his body caused him problems over time and his health deteriorated. He refused to follow a strict treatment program, being a smoker. Thus, shortly after completing the shooting of the last film in which he starred, entitled Journey to Kythera, he passed away on September 2, 1984, at the age of 76, due to lung cancer.