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Michael Constantine, known for his role as Gus in тАЬMy Big Fat Greek WeddingтАЭ, has died. He was 94.
The beloved actor died on August 31 of natural causes, ConstantineтАЩs agent confirmed the news to multiple┬аoutlets on Wednesday. The Nia Vardalos-written romantic comedy тАФ which is the highest-grossing rom-com of all time тАФ was released in 2002, with Constantine making audiences laugh and smile as the Portokalos patriarch. He reprised his role as the Windex-toting father in the sequel, тАЬMy Big Fat Greek Wedding 2тА│, as well as the short-lived CBS series, тАЬMy Big Fat Greek LifeтАЭ.
With over 180 credits to his name, Constantine began his acting career in New York stages in the mid-1950s. He starred as Seymour Kaufman in тАЬRoom 22тАЭ┬аfrom 1969 until 1974. The role earned him a Best Supporting Actor Emmy win in 1970.
His other TV credits include, the original тАЬPerry MasonтАЭ, тАЬMacGyverтАЭ, тАЬThe Twilight ZoneтАЭ, тАЬSirotaтАЩs CourtтАЭ, тАЬThe Outer LimitsтАЭ, тАЬThe Dick Van Dyke ShowтАЭ, тАЬMurder, She WroteтАЭ, тАЬLaw & OrderтАЭ, тАЬGunsmokeтАЭ┬аand many more.
He also starred in films such as тАЬThinnerтАЭ, тАЬThe HustlerтАЭ, тАЬIsland of LoveтАЭ, тАЬIn the MoodтАЭ, тАЬThe JurorтАЭ and more, with тАЬMy Big Fat Greek Wedding 2тАЭ┬аbeing his final project in 2016.
Vardalos, who played his daughter in тАЬMy Big Fat Greek WeddingтАЭ, took to social media to express her condolences.
тАЬMichael Constantine, the dad to our cast-family, a gift to the written word, and always a friend. Acting with him came with a rush of love and fun,тАЭ she wrote alongside a cast photo. тАЬI will treasure this man who brought Gus to life. He gave us so much laughter and deserves a rest now. We love you Michael.тАЭ
Michael Constantine, the dad to our cast-family, a gift to the written word, and always a friend. Acting with him came with a rush of love and fun. I will treasure this man who brought Gus to life. He gave us so much laughter and deserves a rest now. We love you Michael. ?? pic.twitter.com/PV0sIBtaUX
тАФ Nia Vardalos (@NiaVardalos) September 9, 2021
She also shared a photo of Constantine and her real father, Gus Vardalos, together.
Michael Constantine as тАЬGusтАЭ and my real dad Constantine тАЬGusтАЭ Vardalos, onset #MyBigFatGreekWedding2. May both dads Rest In Peace тЩея╕ПтЩея╕П pic.twitter.com/PZn6oF2auT
тАФ Nia Vardalos (@NiaVardalos) September 9, 2021
Actor Bradley Whitford also wrote how Constantine was a тАЬterrific actor and a wonderfully kind man.тАЭ
Michael Constantine was a terrific actor and a wonderfully kind man. Well done, sir. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/7c5C8I8Xos
тАФ Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) September 9, 2021
Many other fans also took to social media to honour the late actor.
my big fat greek wedding was a big part of my upbringing (even though iтАЩm italian lol). the film brought me joy, happiness, and lots of laughter. the actor michael constantine, who played gus, passed away today. he had a lot of iconic lines, but i particularly love this scene ? pic.twitter.com/aCylioo87c
тАФ isabel ? (@evanxbrie) September 9, 2021
SAD FAREWELL
Michael Constantine was in many movies and TV shows. It would take several tweets to cover them. I first knew him for Room 222 and later caught up with his many movies from The Hustler to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Michael was 94 years old. RIP pic.twitter.com/gJUHPMpr9mтАФ James L Neibaur (@JimLNeibaur) September 9, 2021
So sorry to hear of the passing of Michael Constantine tonight. A fan since Room 222, he looked like a real sweetheart. pic.twitter.com/hcbDnMOF0D
тАФ Mark Hanson has no computer sound w/o headphones (@MHanson62) September 9, 2021
I love this movie. I love this character and I loved Michael Constantine. He passed at the age of 94. I will spritz some windex in your honor ?? pic.twitter.com/6wOvDew9WZ
тАФ Maria Stephanos (@mariastephanos) September 9, 2021
Thank you for taking the quintessential Baba and portraying him so brilliantly тАУ the first time many of us saw the havoc and joy of our own homes that’s often intertwined with immigrant identities comfortingly staring back at us on the screen. https://t.co/K7n3P1LAlz
тАФ Liana Aghajanian (@LianaAgh) September 9, 2021
Aw, farewell to #MichaelConstantine a terrific actor I loved growing up (here with costar gone too soon Lloyd Haynes) in Room 222. 94 is a good long life, sweet dreams. pic.twitter.com/E0uH8ylvgb
тАФ Donna Hill (@rudyfan) September 9, 2021
RIP Michael Constantine pic.twitter.com/vq2U0OmcXf
тАФ J.R. McGrail ? (@JRMcGrail) September 9, 2021
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