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Oscar winning actress Olivia Dukakis has passed away at age 89.
The sad news was shared by her brother, Apollo Dukakis, in a Facebook post.
“My beloved sister, Olympia Dukakis, passed away his morning in New York City,” he wrote. “After many months of failing health she is finally at peace and with her Louis,” referring to her late husband, actor Louis Zorich, who passed away in 2018.
Dukakis, who was the first cousin of former presidential candidate and Massachusetts governor Mike Dukakis, didn’t experience fame until quite late in life.
Primarily a stage actress, Dukakis spent 15 years teaching drama at NYU while logging minor parts in film and television until a single role changed everything.
Dukakis was in her mid-50s when she was appearing on Broadway in director Mike Nichols’ comedy “Social Security”. After seeing a performance, director Norman Jewison cast her as the sharp-tongued mother of Cher’s character in his 1987 classic “Moonstruck”, for which Dukakis won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
More memorable movie roles followed in such films as “Steel Magnolias”, “Working Girl”, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, “Look Who’s Talking” and many more.
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On the small screen, she won accolades (and one of her three Emmy nominations) for her performance as transgender landlady Anna Madrigal in “Tales of the City”, a role she recently reprised for the 2019 Netflix revival.
Dukakis opened up about her life story in her 2003 memoir, Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress, and was also the subject of the 2013 documentary “Olympia Dukakis: Undefined”.
In a 2001 interview with The Guardian, Dukakis maintained a matter-of-fact philosophy about finding success so late in life.
“Maybe good fortune comes to you for the same reason as bad,” she said. “It’s all about understanding more. You learn a lot of things when you’re struggling, and other things when you’re what the world calls successful. Or perhaps it’s just something that happens. Some days it’s cold, and some days it’s hot.”
Celebrities including Viola Davis, Rosie O’Donnell and more have been paying tribute to Dukakis on social media.
It was 33 years ago that we gave her and @cher the Golden Globe for “Moonstruck” but I’ll never forget how gracious she was. Olympia Dukakis was pure class and tons of talent. RIP. pic.twitter.com/jiUpQLTZpQ
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) May 1, 2021
May Olympia Dukakis rest in peace. Her talent and depth represented the gift of studying, evolving and working hard. I admired her so much and her kindness to me filled my heart.
— Nia Vardalos (@NiaVardalos) May 1, 2021
So. so sad to hear of #OlympiaDukakis’s passing. I had the great joy of playing her son – twice. Such a radiant, powerful and supremely talented woman. I feel blessed to have known her. RIP “Ma.” I will always smile at the thought of you and sweet Louis together.
— Paul Reiser (@PaulReiser) May 1, 2021
Olympia Dukakis Was an Amazing,Academy Award Winning Actress.Olympia Played My Mom In Moonstruck,& Even Though Her Part was
That Of a Suffering Wife, We?ALL The Time.She Would Tell Me How MUCH She Loved Louis,Her”Handsome Talented,Husband”.I Talked To Her 3Wks Ago. Rip Dear One pic.twitter.com/RcCZaeKFmz— Cher (@cher) May 1, 2021
so sad to hear – Theater veteran Olympia Dukakis, the Oscar-winning ‘Moonstruck’ actress, has died https://t.co/bKMOH9nR5U
— ROSIE (@Rosie) May 1, 2021
RIP Olympia Dukakis…the consummate actor. You made all around you step up their game. A joy to work with. Rest well. “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”.???https://t.co/9uC2Ld4rTU
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) May 1, 2021
Olympia Dukakis was a great actress who loved the work and loved the theatre. She was the acting teacher who spoke to me (and many, many others) with clarity and humor and NO censor. 1/2
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 1, 2021
Olympia Dukakis has departed our company. We were Moonstruck by her, as she told us great Tales of the City. A true Steel Magnolia within a more common forest. Ah, what a life force, her later years her best. Rest now among the heavens, Olympia.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 1, 2021
Brilliant, strong, hilarious soul. An actor’s actor. Rest In Peace Olympia Dukakis. https://t.co/4ZAwcBBd2O
— (((Bradley Whitford))) (@BradleyWhitford) May 1, 2021
RIP to my old Montclair neighbor, beautiful artist and co-founder of the Whole Theater company, Olympia Dukakis. pic.twitter.com/YQOLCz4hj4
— Alex Winter (@Winter) May 1, 2021
So very sad to hear this. Olympia Dukakis, such a wonderful actress & beautiful person. #RIP https://t.co/wr0uy38oFe
— Betty Buckley (@BettyBuckley) May 1, 2021
Everyone on #TalesoftheCity set had a wild story about Olympia Dukakis. In prep to play Anna Madrigal, I watched everything she’d done on screen, and read her books. Sensitive, sassy, in love with her craft, full of wry humor and sharp intelligence. A broad for the ages. ? pic.twitter.com/lTlxgAWL8P
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) May 1, 2021
Thank U for so many timeless movie moments Olympia Dukakis??
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) May 1, 2021
RIP Olympia Dukakis you wonderful woman, Oscar Winner for ‘Moonstruck,’ Dies at 89 – The Hollywood Reporter https://t.co/tqqc9exYjm
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) May 1, 2021
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