Tzeni Karezi was born on December 1, 1932, in Greece. From a young age, she showed a passion for acting and drama. She honed her skills by studying with renowned playwright Angelos Terzakis and director Dimitris Rontiris at the Greek National Theater. It was during this time that Karezi began to make a name for herself in the Greek theater scene.
Although she started on the stage, Karezi soon transitioned to the silver screen, where she would become one of the most beloved actresses in Greek cinema. In 1963, she starred in the critically acclaimed film The Red Lanterns, which garnered international attention and earned a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. This marked the beginning of Karezi's rise to fame as a leading lady in Greek cinema.
Outside of her acting career, Karezi was also known for her activism and outspoken views. She was married twice, with her second husband being Greek actor, director, and politician Kostas Kazakos. The couple made headlines when they were briefly imprisoned for their involvement in the 1973 play Our Big Circus, which was seen as a direct challenge to the Greek dictatorship of the time. Despite facing backlash, Karezi never shied away from using her platform to speak out against injustice.
Even after retiring from film acting, Karezi continued to be involved in the theater world. She appeared in productions of classic plays such as Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Euripides' Medea, and Sophocles' Electra. Her dedication to the arts and her unwavering commitment to social justice left a lasting impact on Greek cinema and culture.
Overall, Tzeni Karezi's life and career serve as a testament to the power of art and activism. She will forever be remembered as one of Greece's most iconic actresses, whose talent and passion continue to inspire generations to come.
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