Long a vital, respected lady of the classic and contemporary stage this grand lady did not become a household name and sought-after film actress until age 56 when she turned in a glorious, Oscar-winning perf as 'Cher . Moreover, she is a strong advocate of women's rights and environmental causes. Olympia published her best-selling autobiography "Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress" in 2003, an introspective chronicle full of her trademark candor and wry humor. She is also a figure on the lecture circuit covering topics as widespread as life in the theater to feminism, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and osteoporosis. A hardcore New Yorker, she still resides there with her husband. She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greek America Foundation and the National Arts Club Medal of Honor and is set to receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame later this year.
First cousin of Michael Dukakis and sister of Apollo Dukakis.
Cousin of 1988 Democratic US presidential candidate Michael Dukakis.
She and Anita Gillette have had the same on-screen love interest twice: Larry Haines on "Search for Tomorrow" and Vincent Gardenia in Moonstruck .
Her Best Supporting Actress Oscar statuette was stolen from her home kitchen in 1989. The burglar left only her nameplate.
Attended and graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington, Massachusetts.
Grandmother of Isabella, Sofia, Luka and Erlinda.
Studied acting with Peter Kass in Boston, and teaches master classes at studios and universities around the world.
Was 3 months pregnant with her daughter Christina Zorich when she completed her run of the Off-Broadway play "Electra".
Daughter of Greek immigrants Constantine "Costa" (1899-1975) and Alexandra "Alec" (ne Christos) Dukakis (1901-1994).
Underwent a nose job in 1949 to remove a bump at the bridge of her nose.
Worked as a physical therapist in the 1950s in order to earn enough to train as an actress.
Her favorite actress is Geraldine Page.
Returned to work 6 months after giving birth to her daughter Christina Zorich to begin performing on stage in "The Rose Tattoo".
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theater at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on May 24, 2013.
Was the 95th actress to receive an Academy Award; she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Moonstruck at The 60th Annual Academy Awards on April 11, 1988.
Is one of 26 actresses to have won an Academy Award for their performance in a comedy; hers being for Moonstruck . The others, in chronological order, are: Claudette Colbert ( It Happened One Night ), Loretta Young ( The Farmers Daughter ), Josephine Hull ( Harvey ), Judy Holliday ( Born Yesterday ), Audrey Hepburn ( Roman Holiday ), Goldie Hawn ( Cactus Flower ), Glenda Jackson ( A Touch of Class ), Lee Grant ( Shampoo ), Diane Keaton ( Annie Hall ), Maggie Smith ( California Suite ), Mary Steenburgen ( Melvin and Howard ), Jessica Lange ( Tootsie ), Anjelica Huston ( Prizzis Honor ), Cher ( Moonstruck ), Jessica Tandy ( Driving Miss Daisy ), Mercedes Ruehl ( The Fisher King ), Dianne Wiest ( Bullets Over Broadway ), Mira Sorvino ( Mighty Aphrodite ), Frances McDormand ( Fargo ), Helen Hunt ( As Good as It Gets ), Judi Dench ( Shakespeare in Love ), Gwyneth Paltrow ( Shakespeare in Love ), Penlope Cruz ( Vicky Cristina Barcelona ), and Jennifer Lawrence ( Silver Linings Playbook ).
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 33, a daughter Christina Zorich on February 28, 1965. Childs father is her husband, Louis Zorich.
Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 37, a son Peter Zorich on September 19, 1968. Childs father is her husband, Louis Zorich.
Gave birth to her 3rd child at age 39, a son Stefan Zorich on February 4, 1971. Childs father is her husband, Louis Zorich.
Appeared in two films with Vincent Gardenia : Death Wish and Moonstruck .
Sometimes I feel as if four thousand years of silencing women, of the,fear of women who were burned in oil or eviscerated in front of their,daughters, is imprinted deep within me and has altered my DNA.
Thankfully, it became clear to me that when I compete, I lose my,connection to the passion I have for my work.
Winning is everything in Hollywood.
God is not something I think about but something I experience as an,energy, a Presence. I do find it easier to pray to a female Presence or,an androgynous Presence.
