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{{short description|American actor}}
{{short description|American actor (1927–2021)}}
{{distinguish|Michel Constantin}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Michael Constantine
| name = Michael Constantine
| image = Michael Constantine Lloyd Haynes Room 222 1969.JPG
| image = Michael Constantine Room 222 1969.JPG
| caption = Constantine ''(right)'' with [[Lloyd Haynes]] in ''[[Room 222]]'' (1969)
| caption = Constantine in ''[[Room 222]]'' in 1969
| birth_name = Gus Efstratiou
| birth_name = Gus Efstratiou
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1927|05|22|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1927|5|22}}
| birth_place = [[Reading, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Reading, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|8|31|1927|5|22}}
| death_place =
| death_place = Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| 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]]
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| spouse = [[Julianna McCarthy]] (1953–69; divorced; 2 children)
| spouse = {{Unbulleted list|{{marriage|[[Julianna McCarthy]]|1953|1972|reason=div}}|{{marriage|Kathleen Patricia Christopherson|1974|1980|reason=div}}}}
| children = 2
| yearsactive = 1953–2007, 2016
| yearsactive = 1953–2016
}}
}}


'''Michael Constantine''' (born '''Gus Efstratiou''' (Ευστρατίου); May 22, 1927 – August 31, 2021) was a Greek-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]].
'''Michael Constantine''' (born May 22, 1927) is an American actor of Greek descent.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/section/movies| title=Movies| newspaper=The New York Times| accessdate=9 July 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008032326/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/46141/Splash/overview| archive-date=8 October 2013| dead-url=yes| df=dmy-all}}</ref>


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=19 April 2002| accessdate=22 February 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 sitcom, ''[[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=http://www.readingeagle.com/life/article/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=20 December 2014| accessdate=22 February 2019}}</ref>
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>


==Life and career==
==Early life==
Constantine was born '''Gus Efstratiou''' in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]], the son of Andromache Efstratiou (Ανδρομάχη Ευστρατίου; [[married and maiden names|née]] Fotiadou [Φωτιάδου]) and Theoharis Ioannides [Θεοχάρης Ιωαννίδης] (a steel worker), both immigrants from Greece.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/40/Michael-Constantine.html| title=Michael Constantine Biography (1927–)| website=Film Reference| accessdate=9 July 2016}}</ref>
Constantine was born Gus Efstratiou in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]. He was the son of Andromache ([[married and maiden names|née]] Fotiadou) and Theocharis Ioannides Efstratiou (a steel worker), both immigrants from Greece.<ref name=Fox>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/08/arts/michael-constantine-father-in-my-big-fat-greek-wedding-dies-at-94.html |title=Michael Constantine, Dad in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' Dies at 94 |last=Fox |first=Margalit |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 8, 2021 |access-date=September 9, 2021 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911012615/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/08/arts/michael-constantine-father-in-my-big-fat-greek-wedding-dies-at-94.html |archive-date=September 11, 2021}}</ref>
==Career==
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]]'', 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]]''.
He began his career on the New York stage and in the mid-1950s as understudy to [[Paul Muni]] in ''Inherit the Wind''. While in the cast, he met and married actress [[Julianna McCarthy]] on October 5, 1953; 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''.


[[File:Michael Constantine Lloyd Haynes Room 222 1969.JPG|thumb|[[Lloyd Haynes]] and Michael Constantine in [[Room 222]] in 1969]]
He studied acting with such prominent mentors as [[Howard Da Silva]]. He was playing 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 (film)|The Hustler]]'' (1961). In 1964 and 1965, Constantine appeared on ''[[Perry Mason (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 1967, he appeared in the first part of "The Judgment", the two-episode conclusion of ''[[The Fugitive (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]]''.
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==
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 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| accessdate=9 July 2016}}</ref>
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/>


== Filmography ==
==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]]'', 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>


=== Film ===
==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
|-
| 1959 || ''[[The Last Mile (1959 film)|The Last Mile]]'' || Convict Ed Warner ||
| 1959 || ''[[The Last Mile (1959 film)|The Last Mile]]'' || Ed Warner, Convict ||
|-
|-
| 1961 || ''[[The Hustler (film)|The Hustler]]'' || Big John ||
| 1961 || ''[[The Hustler]]'' || John 'Big John' ||
|-
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Island of Love (1963 film)|Island of Love]]'' || Andy ||
| 1963 || ''[[Island of Love (1963 film)|Island of Love]]'' || Andy ||
Line 42: Line 53:
| 1964 || ''[[Quick, Before It Melts]]'' || Mikhail Drozhensky ||
| 1964 || ''[[Quick, Before It Melts]]'' || Mikhail Drozhensky ||
|-
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Profiles in Courage]]'' || Future U.S. Senator from Georgia, Tom Watson ||
| rowspan=2|1966 || ''[[Hawaii (1966 film)|Hawaii]]'' || Mason ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Hawaii (1966 film)|Hawaii]]'' || Mason ||
|| ''[[Beau Geste (1966 film)|Beau Geste]]'' || Rostov ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Beau Geste (1966 film)|Beau Geste]]'' || Rostov ||
| rowspan=2|1968 || ''[[Skidoo (film)|Skidoo]]'' || 'Leech' ||
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Skidoo (film)|Skidoo]]'' || Leech ||
|| ''[[In Enemy Country]]'' || Ladislov ||
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[In Enemy Country]]'' || Ladislov ||
| rowspan=4|1969 || ''[[Justine (1969 film)|Justine]]'' || Memlik Pasha ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Justine (1969 film)|Justine]]'' || Memlik Pasha ||
|| ''[[If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium]]'' || Jack Harmon ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium]]'' || Jack Harmon ||
|| ''[[Don't Drink the Water (1969 film)|Don't Drink the Water]]'' || Commissar Krojack ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Don't Drink the Water (1969 film)|Don't Drink the Water]]'' || Commissar Krojack ||
|| ''[[The Reivers (film)|The Reivers]]'' || Mr. Binford ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[The Reivers (film)|The Reivers]]'' || Mr. Binford ||
| 1972 || ''[[Deadly Harvest (1972 film)|Deadly Harvest]]'' || Stefan Groza ||TV movie
|-
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Deadly Harvest]]'' || Stefan Groza || TV movie
| 1974 || ''[[Death Cruise]]'' || Dr. Burke ||TV movie
|-
|-
| 1975 || ''[[The Night That Panicked America]]'' || Jess Wingate || TV movie
| 1975 || ''[[The Night That Panicked America]]'' || Jess Wingate ||TV movie
|-
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Voyage of the Damned]]'' || Luis Clasing ||
| rowspan=2|1976 || ''[[Voyage of the Damned]]'' || Luis Clasing ||
|-
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]'' || Anglich ||
|| ''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]'' || Anglich ||
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Summer of My German Soldier (film)|Summer of My German Soldier]]'' || Harry Bergen || TV movie
| rowspan=2|1978 || ''[[Summer of My German Soldier (film)|Summer of My German Soldier]]'' || Harry Bergen || TV movie
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[The Pirate (1978 film)|The Pirate]]'' || Yashir || TV movie
|| ''[[The Pirate (1978 film)|The Pirate]]'' || Yashir || TV movie
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[The North Avenue Irregulars]]'' || Marv Fogleman ||
| rowspan=2|1979 || ''[[The North Avenue Irregulars]]'' || Marvin 'Marv' Fogleman ||
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Crisis in Mid-Air]]'' || Frank Piovano || TV movie
|| ''[[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 84: 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 ||
| rowspan=3|1993 || ''Question of Faith'' || Unknown ||
|-
|-
| 1993 || ''[[My Life (film)|My Life]]'' || Bill ||
|| ''[[My Life (film)|My Life]]'' || Bill Ivanovich ||
|-
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Deadfall (1993 film)|Deadfall]]'' || Frank ||
|| ''[[Deadfall (1993 film)|Deadfall]]'' || Frank ||
|-
|-
| 1996 || ''[[The Juror]]'' || Judge Weitzel ||
| rowspan=2|1996 || ''[[The Juror]]'' || Judge Weitzel ||
|-
|-
| 1996 || ''[[Thinner (film)|Thinner]]'' || Tadzu Lempke ||
|| ''[[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 ||
|-
|-
| 2016 || ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2]]'' ||Gus Portokalos ||
|}
|}


=== Television ===
===Television===

Constantine was cast as the historical [[John Chisum]] in the 1965 episode, "Paid in Full", on the [[Television syndication|syndicated television]] [[anthology series]], ''[[Death Valley Days]]'', hosted by [[Ronald Reagan]]. [[Keith Andes]] portrayed Rob Hunter, a former [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[colonel]] who visits Kathy McLennan ([[Aneta Corsaut]]), the wife of a soldier who had been killed while serving under Hunter in the [[American Civil War]]. He discovers that McLennan and her neighboring ranchers have been defrauded by Chisum, who issued legally unclaimable IOUs when he purchased their stock. Hunter works to recover the money owed to the ranchers.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556694/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl| title=Paid in Full on ''Death Valley Days''| website=[[IMDb]]| accessdate=September 17, 2018}}</ref> He also appeared in another 1965 ''Death Valley Days'' episode, "The Great Turkey War", with [[Parley Baer]] cast as journalist [[Horace Greeley]].

Constantine's other television appearances include:
{{div col|colwidth=26em}}
{{div col|colwidth=26em}}
* ''[[Cold Case]]'' (1 episode, 2007)
* ''Brenner'' (1 episode, 1959)
* ''[[My Big Fat Greek Life]]'' (7 episodes, 2003)
* ''[[Target: The Corruptors!]]'' (1 episode), 1961
* ''[[The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]'' (5 episodes, 1961–1963)
* ''[[Cosby]]'' (1 episode, 1997)
* ''[[Law & Order]]'' (2 episodes, 1992–1994)
* ''[[The Lloyd Bridges Show]]'' (2 episodes, 1962–1963)
* ''[[The Eleventh Hour (1962 TV series)|The Eleventh Hour]]'' as Dr. Jamison in episode "And God Created Vanity" (1963)
* ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' (2 episodes, 1985–1988)
* ''[[The Dakotas (TV series)|The Dakotas]]'' as Marshak in "Trouble at French Creek" (1963)
* ''[[Simon & Simon]]'' (3 episodes, 1984–1988)
* ''[[Channing (TV series)|Channing]]'' (1 episode, 1963) as Nick in "No Wild Games for Sophie" (1963)
* ''[[Friday the 13th: The Series]]'' ("Pipe Dream" 1988)
* ''[[Probe (1988 TV series)|Probe]]'' ("Plan 10 From Outer Space", 1988)
* ''[[MacGyver]]'' (2 episodes, 1985–1987) – Inspector Jan Messic
* ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'' (1 episode, 1986)
* ''[[Remington Steele]]'' (3 episodes, 1984–1986)
* ''[[Highway to Heaven]]'' (1 episode, 1985)
* ''[[Airwolf]]'' (1 episode, 1985)
* ''[[The Love Boat]]'' (2 episodes, 1983)
* ''[[Amanda's]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[Mama's Family]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]'' (4 episodes) (1981 Dr Arthur Clotti – in season 6, episode 14 "Seldom Silent, Never Heard") ( 1983 Season 8 Episode 3 "Give Me Your Weak") (1979 Season 4 Episodes 14 & 15 "Walk Softly Through the Night" Parts 1 and 2)
* ''[[Fantasy Island]]'' (1 episode, 1980)
* ''[[Roots: The Next Generations]]'' (miniseries, 1979)
* ''[[79 Park Avenue]]'' (miniseries, 1977)
* ''[[The Krofft Supershow]]'': ''[[Electra Woman and Dyna Girl]]'' (4 episodes, 1976) as The Sorcerer
* ''[[Sirota's Court]]'' (13 episodes, 1976–1977 series)
* [[The Mary Tyler Moore Show|''Mary Tyler Moore'']] (1 episode, 1971)
* ''[[Room 222]]'' Series – Seymour Kaufman (1969–1974)
* ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' – Al Davies – in episode "A Wrongful Death" (series, 1973)
* ''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission: Impossible]]'' (1 episode, 1969)
* ''[[Gunsmoke]]'' (2 episodes, 1963–1968)
* ''[[Gunsmoke]]'' (2 episodes, 1963–1968)
* ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' (1 episode, 1964) as Sheriff Koch in "[[I Am the Night Color Me Black]]"
* ''[[Combat!]]'' (as Jacques Patron, episode "Entombed", 1967)
* ''[[The Invaders]]'' (1 episode, 1968)
* ''[[Slattery's People]]'' (1964) one episode as Hungerford in "Remember The Dark Sins of Youth?"
* ''[[Hey Landlord]]'' (series, 1966–1967)
* ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' (2 episodes, 1964–1965)
* ''[[The Odd Couple (1970 TV series)|The Odd Couple]]'' (series, 1970–1975)
* ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' (episode 46 "Counterweight", 1964)
* ''[[Dundee and the Culhane]]'' (1 episode, 1967 series)
* ''[[My Favorite Martian]]'' (TV series) (2 episodes, 1965–1966)
* ''[[I Spy (1965 TV series)|I Spy]]'' (2 episodes, 1966)
* ''[[Profiles in Courage (TV series)|Profiles in Courage]]'' (2 episodes, 1964)
* ''[[The Fugitive (TV series)|The Fugitive]]'' (3 episodes, 1965–1967) (Ernie Svoboda, Ben Wyckoff, Arthur Art Howe)
* ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' (1 episode, 1965)
* ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' (1 episode 1965)
* ''[[Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea]]'' – The Indestructible Man'' (1 episode 1965)
* ''[[Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea]]'' – The Indestructible Man'' (1 episode 1965)
* ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'' (3 episodes, 1965–1967) (Ernie Svoboda, Ben Wyckoff, Arthur Art Howe)
* ''[[The Road West]]'' in episode "To Light a Candle" (series, 1966)
* ''[[I Spy (1965 TV series)|I Spy]]'' (2 episodes, 1966)
* ''[[12 O'Clock High (TV series)|12 O'Clock High]]'' (1 episode, 1966)
* ''The Road West'' in episode "To Light a Candle" (series, 1966)
* ''[[The Dick Van Dyke Show]]'' (1 episode, 1966)
* ''[[The Dick Van Dyke Show]]'' (1 episode, 1966)
* ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' (1 episode, 1966) as Heinrich -episode- "It Takes a Thief...Sometimes"
* ''[[The Jean Arthur Show]]'' (2 episodes as Carnella, 1966)
* ''[[The Jean Arthur Show]]'' (2 episodes as Carnella, 1966)
* ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' (1 episode, 1966) as Heinrich -episode- "It Takes a Thief...Sometimes"
* ''[[Perry Mason (TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' (2 episodes, 1964–1965)
* ''[[Hey Landlord]]'' (series, 1966–1967)
* ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' (episode 46 "Counterweight", 1964)
* ''[[Combat!]]'' (as Jacques Patron, episode "Entombed", 1967)
* ''[[Dundee and the Culhane]]'' (1 episode, 1967 series)
* ''[[The Invaders]]'' (1 episode, 1968)
* ''[[The Flying Nun]]'' (as Juan, episode "Sister Lucky", 1968)
* ''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission: Impossible]]'' (1 episode, 1969) (Nikor Janos)
* ''[[Room 222]]'' Series – Seymour Kaufman (1969–1974)
* ''[[Bonanza]]'' (as a new settler whose greedy neighbor refuses him piped water for irrigation)
* ''[[Bonanza]]'' (as a new settler whose greedy neighbor refuses him piped water for irrigation)
* ''[[The Odd Couple (1970 TV series)|The Odd Couple]]'' (series, 1970–1975)
* ''[[Slattery's People]]'' (1964) one episode as Hungerford in "Remember The Dark Sins of Youth?"
* ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' (1 episode, 1964) as Sheriff Koch in "[[I Am the Night Color Me Black]]"
* [[The Mary Tyler Moore Show|''Mary Tyler Moore'']] (1 episode, 1971)
* ''[[Night Gallery]]'' (1970-1973) 1 episode "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes".
* ''[[The Eleventh Hour (1962 TV series)|The Eleventh Hour]]'' as Dr. Jamison in episode "And God Created Vanity" (1963)
* ''[[The Dakotas (TV series)|The Dakotas]]'' as Marshak in "Trouble at French Creek" (1963)
* ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' – Al Davies – in episode "A Wrongful Death" (series, 1973)
* ‘’[[Kojak]]’’ (1 episode, 1974)
* ''[[Channing (TV series)|Channing]]'' (1 episode, 1963) as Nick in "No Wild Games for Sophie" (1963)
* ''[[The Lloyd Bridges Show]]'' (2 episodes, 1962–1963)
* ''[[The Krofft Supershow]]'': ''[[Electra Woman and Dyna Girl]]'' (4 episodes, 1976) as The Sorcerer
* ''[[The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]'' (5 episodes, 1961–1963)
* ''[[Sirota's Court]]'' (13 episodes, 1976–1977 series)
* ''[[Target: The Corruptors!]]'' (1 episode), 1961
* ''[[79 Park Avenue]]'' (miniseries, 1977)
* ''[[Roots: The Next Generations]]'' (miniseries, 1979)
* ''Brenner'' (1 episode, 1959)
* ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]'' (4 episodes) (1979 Season 4 Episodes 14 & 15 "Walk Softly Through the Night" Parts 1 and 2) (1981 Dr Arthur Clotti – in season 6, episode 14 "Seldom Silent, Never Heard") ( 1983 Season 8 Episode 3 "Give Me Your Weak")
* ''[[My Favorite Martian]]'' (TV series) (02 episodes, 1965–1966)
* ''[[Fantasy Island]]'' (1 episode, 1980)
* ''[[Benson (TV series)|Benson]]'' 1982 season 4 episodes 1 & 2 as Marvin Musker
* ''[[The Love Boat]]'' (2 episodes, 1983)
* ''[[Amanda's]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[Mama's Family]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' (1 episode, 1983)
* ''[[Remington Steele]]'' (3 episodes, 1984–1986)
* ''[[Simon & Simon]]'' (3 episodes, 1984–1988)
* ''[[Highway to Heaven]]'' (1 episode, 1985)
* ''[[Airwolf]]'' (1 episode, 1985)
* ''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'' (2 episodes, 1985–1987) – Inspector Jan Messic
* ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' (2 episodes, 1985–1988)
* ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'' (1 episode, 1986)
* ''[[Friday the 13th: The Series]]'' ("Pipe Dream" 1988)
* ''[[Probe (1988 TV series)|Probe]]'' ("Plan 10 From Outer Space", 1988)
* ''[[Law & Order]]'' (2 episodes, 1992–1994)
* ''[[Cosby (TV series)|Cosby]]'' (1 episode, 1997)
* ''[[My Big Fat Greek Life]]'' (7 episodes, 2003)
* ''[[Cold Case]]'' (1 episode, 2007)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}

{{Portal|Biography|Pennsylvania|California|Film|Television}}
== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Association
! Category
! Production
! Result
|-
| 1970
| [[22nd Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| 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=3|Room 222
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1971
| [[23rd Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan=2 {{nom}}
|-
| [[28th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actor - Television]]
|-
| 2003
| [[7th Golden Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]]
| [[Satellite Award for Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical]]
| My Big Fat Greek Wedding
| {{won}}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{Portal|Biography|Pennsylvania|California|Film|Television}}
* {{IMDb name|176073}}
* {{Tcmdb name|38170}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Amg name|14610}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}


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Latest revision as of 18:17, 22 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 a Greek-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

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
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

[edit]
  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.
[edit]
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