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| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|8|31|1927|5|22}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|8|31|1927|5|22}}
| death_place = Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_place = Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| known_for = Role of Seymour Kaufman in [[Room 222]]
| known_for = Seymour Kaufman in ''[[Room 222]]'' (1969-1974)<br />Gus Portakalos in the ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding (franchise)|My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'' franchise (2002-2016)
| resting_place = [[Charles Evans Cemetery]]
| resting_place = [[Charles Evans Cemetery]]
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
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}}
}}


'''Michael Constantine''' (born '''Gus Efstratiou''' (Ευστρατίου); May 22, 1927 – August 31, 2021) was an American actor. He is most widely recognized for his portrayal of Kostas "Gus" Portokalos, the Windex bottle-toting Greek father of Toula Portokalos ([[Nia Vardalos]]), in the film ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'' (2002).<ref>{{cite news| url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D03E7D9153FF93AA25757C0A9649C8B63| title= FILM IN REVIEW; 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| last=Kehr| first=Dave| date=April 19, 2002| access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> Earlier, he earned acclaim for his television work, especially as the long-suffering high school principal, Seymour Kaufman, on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s comedy-drama, ''[[Room 222]],'' for which he won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series]] in 1970; he was again recognized by the [[Emmy Award]]s, as well as the [[Golden Globe Award]]s, the following year. After the conclusion of ''Room 222'', Constantine portrayed night court magistrate Matthew J. Sirota on the 1976 sitcom ''[[Sirota's Court]]'', receiving his second Golden Globe nomination. Constantine reprised his role as Gus Portokalos in ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2]]'' (2016).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2014/12/21/george-hatza-michael-constantine-prepares-for-greek-sequel/ |title=George Hatza: Michael Constantine prepares for 'Greek' sequel |newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]] |last=Hatza |first=George |date=December 20, 2014 |access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref>
'''Michael Constantine''' (born '''Gus Efstratiou''' (Ευστρατίου); May 22, 1927 – August 31, 2021) was an American actor. He is most widely recognized for his portrayal of Kostas "Gus" Portokalos, the stubborn Greek father of Toula Portokalos ([[Nia Vardalos]]), in the film ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'' (2002).<ref>{{cite news| url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D03E7D9153FF93AA25757C0A9649C8B63| title= FILM IN REVIEW; 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| last=Kehr| first=Dave| date=April 19, 2002| access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> For his performance, Constantine won a [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture#Musical or Comedy (1996–2005)|Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy]].
Early in his career, Constantine earned acclaim for his television work, especially as the long-suffering high school principal, Seymour Kaufman, on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s comedy-drama, ''[[Room 222]],'' for which he won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series]] in 1970; he was again recognized by the [[Emmy Award]]s, as well as the [[Golden Globe Award]]s, the following year. After the conclusion of ''Room 222'', Constantine portrayed night court magistrate Matthew J. Sirota on the 1976 sitcom ''[[Sirota's Court]]'', receiving his second Golden Globe nomination. Constantine reprised his role as Gus Portokalos in ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2]]'' (2016).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2014/12/21/george-hatza-michael-constantine-prepares-for-greek-sequel/ |title=George Hatza: Michael Constantine prepares for 'Greek' sequel |newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]] |last=Hatza |first=George |date=December 20, 2014 |access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Line 26: Line 28:
He began his career on the New York stage in the mid-1950s as understudy to [[Paul Muni]] in ''Inherit the Wind''.<ref name = Fox/>
He began his career on the New York stage in the mid-1950s as understudy to [[Paul Muni]] in ''Inherit the Wind''.<ref name = Fox/>


He studied acting with such prominent mentors as [[Howard Da Silva]] and played character roles on and off [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] in his mid-twenties, supplementing his income as a night watchman and shooting-gallery barker. In 1959, he appeared in his first film, ''[[The Last Mile (1959 film)|The Last Mile]]'' (1959). He had a small but memorable supporting role in ''[[The Hustler]]'' (1961). In 1964 and 1965, Constantine appeared on ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', both times as the murderer. He played the role of wannabe private eye Dillard in "The Case of the Blonde Bonanza", then he played Pappy Ryan in "The Case of the Runaway Racer". In 1965, Constantine was cast as the historical [[John Chisum]] in the episode "Paid in Full", on the [[Television syndication|syndicated television]] [[anthology series]] ''[[Death Valley Days]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556694/|title="Death Valley Days" Paid in Full (TV Episode 1965)|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=September 17, 2018}}</ref> He also appeared in another 1965 ''Death Valley Days'' episode "The Great Turkey War".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556797/|title="Death Valley Days" The Great Turkey War (TV Episode 1965)|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref> In 1967, he appeared in the first part of "The Judgment", the two-episode conclusion of ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', starring [[David Janssen]]. Constantine played a long-suffering anti-organized-crime agent in Walt Disney's caper film ''[[The North Avenue Irregulars]]'' (1979), where he appeared alongside [[Edward Herrmann]] and [[Cloris Leachman]]. He also played an organized crime mobster who worked for Frank Nitti in the television version of ''[[The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]''. In 1988, he played the estranged father of one of the main characters in ''[[Friday the 13th: the Series]]''.
He studied acting with such prominent mentors as [[Howard Da Silva]] and played character roles on and off [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] in his mid-twenties, supplementing his income as a night watchman and shooting-gallery barker. In 1959, he appeared in his first film, ''[[The Last Mile (1959 film)|The Last Mile]]'' (1959). He had a small but memorable supporting role in ''[[The Hustler]]'' (1961). In 1964 and 1965, Constantine appeared on ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', first as wannabe private eye Dillard in "The Case of the Blonde Bonanza", and then as Pappy Ryan in "The Case of the Runaway Racer". In 1965, Constantine was cast as the historical [[John Chisum]] in the episode "Paid in Full", on the [[Television syndication|syndicated television]] [[anthology series]] ''[[Death Valley Days]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556694/|title="Death Valley Days" Paid in Full (TV Episode 1965)|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=September 17, 2018}}</ref> He also appeared in another 1965 ''Death Valley Days'' episode "The Great Turkey War".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556797/|title="Death Valley Days" The Great Turkey War (TV Episode 1965)|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref> In 1967, he appeared in the first part of "The Judgment", the two-episode conclusion of ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', starring [[David Janssen]]. Constantine played a long-suffering anti-organized-crime agent in Walt Disney's caper film ''[[The North Avenue Irregulars]]'' (1979), where he appeared alongside [[Edward Herrmann]] and [[Cloris Leachman]]. He also played an organized crime mobster who worked for Frank Nitti in the television version of ''[[The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]''. In 1988, he played the estranged father of one of the main characters in ''[[Friday the 13th: the Series]]''.


[[File:Michael Constantine Lloyd Haynes Room 222 1969.JPG|thumb|[[Lloyd Haynes]] and Michael Constantine in [[Room 222]] in 1969]]
He played [[Santa Claus]] in ''[[Prancer (film)|Prancer]]'' (1989). In 1993, Constantine appeared in the independent drama ''Question of Faith'', starring [[Anne Archer]] and [[Sam Neill]]. He played Tadzu Lempke in Stephen King's ''[[Thinner (film)|Thinner]]'' (1996). In 2002, he enjoyed an unexpected [[Comeback (publicity)|comeback]] as the [[Windex]]-toting Gus Portokalos in the hit movie ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'', a role he reprised on the short-lived television series ''[[My Big Fat Greek Life#"My Big Fat Greek Life"|My Big Fat Greek Life]]'', and a sequel film with the original cast, ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2]]'', which was released on March 25, 2016.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mybigfatgreekweddingmovie.com/| title=My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2| website=My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movie| access-date=July 9, 2016}}</ref>
He played [[Santa Claus]] in ''[[Prancer (film)|Prancer]]'' (1989). In 1993, Constantine appeared in the independent drama ''Question of Faith'', starring [[Anne Archer]] and [[Sam Neill]]. He played Tadzu Lempke in Stephen King's ''[[Thinner (film)|Thinner]]'' (1996). In 2002, he enjoyed an unexpected [[Comeback (publicity)|comeback]] as the [[Windex]]-toting Gus Portokalos in the hit movie ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'', a role he reprised on the short-lived television series ''[[My Big Fat Greek Life#"My Big Fat Greek Life"|My Big Fat Greek Life]]'', and a sequel film with the original cast, ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2]]'', which was released on March 25, 2016, which ended up being his final major acting role of any kind.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mybigfatgreekweddingmovie.com/| title=My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2| website=My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movie| access-date=July 9, 2016}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
On October 5, 1953, Constantine married actress [[Julianna McCarthy]], whom he met while in the cast of ''Inherit the Wind''. They had two children, Thea Eileen and Brendan Neil. The marriage ended in divorce in 1969, the same year that Constantine began his role on ''Room 222''. He later married Kathleen Christopher in 1974, though they also later divorced in 1980.<ref name=Fox/>
On October 5, 1953, Constantine married actress [[Julianna McCarthy]], whom he met while in the cast of ''Inherit the Wind''. They had two children, Thea Eileen and Brendan Neil. The marriage ended in divorce in 1969, the same year that Constantine began his role on ''Room 222''. He married Kathleen Christopher in 1974 and they divorced in 1980.<ref name=Fox/>


==Death==
==Death==
Constantine died at his home in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]] on August 31, 2021, at age 94, from natural causes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2021/09/08/michael-constantine-reading-native-dies-actor-my-big-fat-greek-wedding/|title=Reading native and Emmy-winning actor Michael Constantine dies at 94 [Video]|last=Botch|first=Don|date=September 8, 2021|access-date=September 9, 2021|work=[[Reading Eagle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/michael-constantine-my-big-fat-greek-wedding-actor-dead-at-94-171718|title=Michael Constantine, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' Actor, Dead at 94|date=September 8, 2021|access-date=October 30, 2021|last=Calvario|first=Liz|work=ET Online}}</ref> ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3]]'' will be dedicated to his memory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/my-big-fat-greek-wedding-3-announcements-information/|title=Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=June 27, 2022|first=Benjamin|last=Weiss|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>
Constantine died at his home in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]], on August 31, 2021, at age 94, from natural causes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2021/09/08/michael-constantine-reading-native-dies-actor-my-big-fat-greek-wedding/|title=Reading native and Emmy-winning actor Michael Constantine dies at 94 [Video]|last=Botch|first=Don|date=September 8, 2021|access-date=September 9, 2021|work=[[Reading Eagle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/michael-constantine-my-big-fat-greek-wedding-actor-dead-at-94-171718|title=Michael Constantine, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' Actor, Dead at 94|date=September 8, 2021|access-date=October 30, 2021|last=Calvario|first=Liz|work=ET Online}}</ref> ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3]]'', which was released two years after his death, was dedicated to his memory alongside Constantine Vardalos (Nia Vardalos' father) and [[Bruce Gray]] (who plays Ian Miller's father, Rodney, in the films).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/my-big-fat-greek-wedding-3-announcements-information/|title=Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=June 27, 2022|first=Benjamin|last=Weiss|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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| 1964 || ''[[Quick, Before It Melts]]'' || Mikhail Drozhensky ||
| 1964 || ''[[Quick, Before It Melts]]'' || Mikhail Drozhensky ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Hawaii (1966 film)|Hawaii]]'' || Mason ||
| rowspan=2|1966 || ''[[Hawaii (1966 film)|Hawaii]]'' || Mason ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Beau Geste (1966 film)|Beau Geste]]'' || Rostov ||
|| ''[[Beau Geste (1966 film)|Beau Geste]]'' || Rostov ||
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Skidoo (film)|Skidoo]]'' || 'Leech' ||
| rowspan=2|1968 || ''[[Skidoo (film)|Skidoo]]'' || 'Leech' ||
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[In Enemy Country]]'' || Ladislov ||
|| ''[[In Enemy Country]]'' || Ladislov ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Justine (1969 film)|Justine]]'' || Memlik Pasha ||
| rowspan=4|1969 || ''[[Justine (1969 film)|Justine]]'' || Memlik Pasha ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium]]'' || Jack Harmon ||
|| ''[[If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium]]'' || Jack Harmon ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Don't Drink the Water (1969 film)|Don't Drink the Water]]'' || Commissar Krojack ||
|| ''[[Don't Drink the Water (1969 film)|Don't Drink the Water]]'' || Commissar Krojack ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[The Reivers (film)|The Reivers]]'' || Mr. Binford ||
|| ''[[The Reivers (film)|The Reivers]]'' || Mr. Binford ||
|-
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Deadly Harvest (1972 film)|Deadly Harvest]]'' || Stefan Groza || TV movie
| 1972 || ''[[Deadly Harvest (1972 film)|Deadly Harvest]]'' || Stefan Groza ||TV movie
|-
|-
| 1975 || ''[[The Night That Panicked America]]'' || Jess Wingate || TV movie
| 1974 || ''[[Death Cruise]]'' || Dr. Burke ||TV movie
|-
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Voyage of the Damned]]'' || Luis Clasing ||
| 1975 || ''[[The Night That Panicked America]]'' || Jess Wingate ||TV movie
|-
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]'' || Anglich ||
| rowspan=2|1976 || ''[[Voyage of the Damned]]'' || Luis Clasing ||
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Summer of My German Soldier (film)|Summer of My German Soldier]]'' || Harry Bergen || TV movie
|| ''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]'' || Anglich ||
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[The Pirate (1978 film)|The Pirate]]'' || Yashir || TV movie
| rowspan=2|1978 || ''[[Summer of My German Soldier (film)|Summer of My German Soldier]]'' || Harry Bergen || TV movie
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[The North Avenue Irregulars]]'' || Marvin 'Marv' Fogleman ||
|| ''[[The Pirate (1978 film)|The Pirate]]'' || Yashir || TV movie
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Crisis in Mid-Air]]'' || Frank Piovano || TV movie
| rowspan=2|1979 || ''[[The North Avenue Irregulars]]'' || Marvin 'Marv' Fogleman ||
⚫
|-
|| ''[[Crisis in Mid-Air]]'' || Frank Piovano || TV movie
|-
|-
| 1983 || ''[[The Forty Days of Musa Dagh (film)|The Forty Days of Musa Dagh]]'' || [[Talaat Pasha]] ||
| 1983 || ''[[The Forty Days of Musa Dagh (film)|The Forty Days of Musa Dagh]]'' || [[Talaat Pasha]] ||
Line 90: Line 95:
| 1989 || ''[[Prancer (film)|Prancer]]'' || Mr. Stewart ||
| 1989 || ''[[Prancer (film)|Prancer]]'' || Mr. Stewart ||
|-
|-
| 1991 || ''By a Thread'' || Unknown ||
| 1991 || ''By a Thread'' || Unknown ||
⚫
|-
| 1993 || ''Question of Faith'' || Unknown ||
|-
|-
| 1993 || ''[[My Life (film)|My Life]]'' || Bill Ivanovich ||
| rowspan=3|1993 || ''Question of Faith'' || Unknown ||
|-
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Deadfall (1993 film)|Deadfall]]'' || Frank ||
|| ''[[My Life (film)|My Life]]'' || Bill Ivanovich ||
|-
|-
| 1996 || ''[[The Juror]]'' || Judge Weitzel ||
|| ''[[Deadfall (1993 film)|Deadfall]]'' || Frank ||
|-
|-
| 1996 || ''[[Thinner (film)|Thinner]]'' || Tadzu Lempke ||
| rowspan=2|1996 || ''[[The Juror]]'' || Judge Weitzel ||
|-
|-
|| ''[[Thinner (film)|Thinner]]'' || Tadzu Lempke ||
⚫
| 2002 || ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'' || Gus Portokalos || [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture]]<br>Nominated—[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]]<br>Nominated—[[Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Hissy Fit]]
|-
|-
⚫
| 2002 || ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'' ||Gus Portokalos || [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture]]<br>Nominated - [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]]<br>Nominated - [[Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Hissy Fit]]
⚫
| 2016 || ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2]]'' || Gus Portokalos || Final film role
|-
|-
⚫
| 2016 || ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2]]'' ||Gus Portokalos ||
|}
|}


Line 143: Line 147:
* ''[[The Odd Couple (1970 TV series)|The Odd Couple]]'' (series, 1970–1975)
* ''[[The Odd Couple (1970 TV series)|The Odd Couple]]'' (series, 1970–1975)
* [[The Mary Tyler Moore Show|''Mary Tyler Moore'']] (1 episode, 1971)
* [[The Mary Tyler Moore Show|''Mary Tyler Moore'']] (1 episode, 1971)
* ''Night Gallery'' (1970-1973) 1 episode "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes".
* ''[[Night Gallery]]'' (1970-1973) 1 episode "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes".
* ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' – Al Davies – in episode "A Wrongful Death" (series, 1973)
* ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' – Al Davies – in episode "A Wrongful Death" (series, 1973)
* ‘’[[Kojak]]’’ (1 episode, 1974)
* ''[[The Krofft Supershow]]'': ''[[Electra Woman and Dyna Girl]]'' (4 episodes, 1976) as The Sorcerer
* ''[[The Krofft Supershow]]'': ''[[Electra Woman and Dyna Girl]]'' (4 episodes, 1976) as The Sorcerer
* ''[[Sirota's Court]]'' (13 episodes, 1976–1977 series)
* ''[[Sirota's Court]]'' (13 episodes, 1976–1977 series)
Line 182: Line 187:
| 1970
| 1970
| [[22nd Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[22nd Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy
| rowspan=2|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy]]
| rowspan="2" | as Seymour Kaufman in [[Room 222]]
| rowspan=3|Room 222
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1971
| rowspan=2|1971
| [[23rd Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[23rd Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan=2 {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[28th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[28th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| Best Supporting Actor - Television
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actor - Television]]
| Room 222 as Seymour Kaufman
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| 2003
| 2003
| [[7th Golden Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]]
| [[7th Golden Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]]
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical
| [[Satellite Award for Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical]]
| [[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]
| My Big Fat Greek Wedding
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|}
|}
Line 207: Line 210:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Biography|Pennsylvania|California|Film|Television}}
{{Portal|Biography|Pennsylvania|California|Film|Television}}
* {{IMDb name|176073}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Tcmdb name|38170%7C111376}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{Amg name|14610}}
* {{AllMovie name}}


{{Navboxes
{{Navboxes
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[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Actors from Reading, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Actors from Reading, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Burials at Charles Evans Cemetery]]

Latest revision as of 23:38, 1 December 2024

Not to be confused with Michel Constantin.

Michael Constantine
Constantine in Room 222 in 1969
Born
Gus Efstratiou

(1927-05-22)May 22, 1927
Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedAugust 31, 2021(2021-08-31) (aged 94)
Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeCharles Evans Cemetery
OccupationActor
Years active1953–2016
Known forSeymour Kaufman in Room 222 (1969-1974)
Gus Portakalos in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise (2002-2016)
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1953; div. 1972)​
  • Kathleen Patricia Christopherson
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1974; div. 1980)​
Children2

Michael Constantine (born Gus Efstratiou (Ευστρατίου); May 22, 1927 – August 31, 2021) was an American actor. He is most widely recognized for his portrayal of Kostas "Gus" Portokalos, the stubborn Greek father of Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos), in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002).[1] For his performance, Constantine won a Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy.

Early in his career, Constantine earned acclaim for his television work, especially as the long-suffering high school principal, Seymour Kaufman, on ABC's comedy-drama, Room 222, for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1970; he was again recognized by the Emmy Awards, as well as the Golden Globe Awards, the following year. After the conclusion of Room 222, Constantine portrayed night court magistrate Matthew J. Sirota on the 1976 sitcom Sirota's Court, receiving his second Golden Globe nomination. Constantine reprised his role as Gus Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016).[2]

Early life

[edit]

Constantine was born Gus Efstratiou in Reading, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Andromache (née Fotiadou) and Theocharis Ioannides Efstratiou (a steel worker), both immigrants from Greece.[3]

Career

[edit]

He began his career on the New York stage in the mid-1950s as understudy to Paul Muni in Inherit the Wind.[3]

He studied acting with such prominent mentors as Howard Da Silva and played character roles on and off Broadway in his mid-twenties, supplementing his income as a night watchman and shooting-gallery barker. In 1959, he appeared in his first film, The Last Mile (1959). He had a small but memorable supporting role in The Hustler (1961). In 1964 and 1965, Constantine appeared on Perry Mason, first as wannabe private eye Dillard in "The Case of the Blonde Bonanza", and then as Pappy Ryan in "The Case of the Runaway Racer". In 1965, Constantine was cast as the historical John Chisum in the episode "Paid in Full", on the syndicated television anthology series Death Valley Days.[4] He also appeared in another 1965 Death Valley Days episode "The Great Turkey War".[5] In 1967, he appeared in the first part of "The Judgment", the two-episode conclusion of The Fugitive, starring David Janssen. Constantine played a long-suffering anti-organized-crime agent in Walt Disney's caper film The North Avenue Irregulars (1979), where he appeared alongside Edward Herrmann and Cloris Leachman. He also played an organized crime mobster who worked for Frank Nitti in the television version of The Untouchables. In 1988, he played the estranged father of one of the main characters in Friday the 13th: the Series.

Lloyd Haynes and Michael Constantine in Room 222 in 1969

He played Santa Claus in Prancer (1989). In 1993, Constantine appeared in the independent drama Question of Faith, starring Anne Archer and Sam Neill. He played Tadzu Lempke in Stephen King's Thinner (1996). In 2002, he enjoyed an unexpected comeback as the Windex-toting Gus Portokalos in the hit movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a role he reprised on the short-lived television series My Big Fat Greek Life, and a sequel film with the original cast, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which was released on March 25, 2016, which ended up being his final major acting role of any kind.[6]

Personal life

[edit]

On October 5, 1953, Constantine married actress Julianna McCarthy, whom he met while in the cast of Inherit the Wind. They had two children, Thea Eileen and Brendan Neil. The marriage ended in divorce in 1969, the same year that Constantine began his role on Room 222. He married Kathleen Christopher in 1974 and they divorced in 1980.[3]

Death

[edit]

Constantine died at his home in Reading, Pennsylvania, on August 31, 2021, at age 94, from natural causes.[7][8] My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, which was released two years after his death, was dedicated to his memory alongside Constantine Vardalos (Nia Vardalos' father) and Bruce Gray (who plays Ian Miller's father, Rodney, in the films).[9]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1959 The Last Mile Ed Warner, Convict
1961 The Hustler John 'Big John'
1963 Island of Love Andy
1964 Quick, Before It Melts Mikhail Drozhensky
1966 Hawaii Mason
Beau Geste Rostov
1968 Skidoo 'Leech'
In Enemy Country Ladislov
1969 Justine Memlik Pasha
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium Jack Harmon
Don't Drink the Water Commissar Krojack
The Reivers Mr. Binford
1972 Deadly Harvest Stefan Groza TV movie
1974 Death Cruise Dr. Burke TV movie
1975 The Night That Panicked America Jess Wingate TV movie
1976 Voyage of the Damned Luis Clasing
Peeper Anglich
1978 Summer of My German Soldier Harry Bergen TV movie
The Pirate Yashir TV movie
1979 The North Avenue Irregulars Marvin 'Marv' Fogleman
Crisis in Mid-Air Frank Piovano TV movie
1983 The Forty Days of Musa Dagh Talaat Pasha
1985 Pray for Death Newman
1987 In the Mood Mr. Wisecarver
1989 Prancer Mr. Stewart
1991 By a Thread Unknown
1993 Question of Faith Unknown
My Life Bill Ivanovich
Deadfall Frank
1996 The Juror Judge Weitzel
Thinner Tadzu Lempke
2002 My Big Fat Greek Wedding Gus Portokalos Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Nominated - Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Hissy Fit
2016 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Gus Portokalos

Television

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Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Production Result
1970 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy Room 222 Won
1971 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor - Television
2003 Satellite Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical My Big Fat Greek Wedding Won

References

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  1. ^ Kehr, Dave (April 19, 2002). "FILM IN REVIEW; 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  2. ^ Hatza, George (December 20, 2014). "George Hatza: Michael Constantine prepares for 'Greek' sequel". Reading Eagle. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Fox, Margalit (September 8, 2021). "Michael Constantine, Dad in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' Dies at 94". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  4. ^ ""Death Valley Days" Paid in Full (TV Episode 1965)". IMDb. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  5. ^ ""Death Valley Days" The Great Turkey War (TV Episode 1965)". IMDb. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2". My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movie. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  7. ^ Botch, Don (September 8, 2021). "Reading native and Emmy-winning actor Michael Constantine dies at 94 [Video]". Reading Eagle. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  8. ^ Calvario, Liz (September 8, 2021). "Michael Constantine, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' Actor, Dead at 94". ET Online. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  9. ^ Weiss, Benjamin (June 27, 2022). "Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  • Michael Constantine at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • Michael Constantine at the TCM Movie Database Edit this at Wikidata
  • ‹The template AllMovie name is being considered for deletion.› Michael Constantine at AllMovie Edit this at Wikidata
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