Christina Kalogerikou(1885-1968)

Christina Kalogerikou was a distinguished Greek actress whose career spanned several decades, earning her high honors for her artistic contributions. Coming from a deep-rooted theatrical lineage, she was the daughter of stage actors Pantelis Roussos and Elpiniki. Her upbringing within a family of performers, which included her sisters Evangelia and Anthi, naturally paved the way for her own journey into the dramatic arts. Her professional debut occurred at the remarkably young age of fourteen in Constantinople, where she performed in the play "The Two Orphans" with the Tavoularis troupe. This early start led to a lifetime of dedication to the stage, eventually becoming a prominent member of the National Theatre of Greece starting in 1955. Her performances were characterized by a commanding presence that defined her as one of the great "character" actresses of her generation. In addition to her extensive theatrical work, she made a significant transition into cinema during the post-war era. She is perhaps most widely recognized for her role in Michael Cacoyannis's masterpiece Stella (1955), where she portrayed the mother of Giorgos Foundas. Another notable film credit includes Dinos Dimopoulos's Horse and Carriage (1957), in which she played a fallen aristocrat alongside Orestis Makris. For her immense service to Greek culture and the arts, she was honored with the Order of Beneficence.