The funeral service for actor Gerasimos Michelis, who passed away at the age of 69, will be held this Friday, July 18, at 11:30 AM at the Holy Church of Saint Nicholas Ragkavas in Plaka. In a brief announcement through the actor’s personal Facebook account, his family also informed that the burial will follow at 1:00 PM at the Third Cemetery of Athens.
“For our beloved Gerasimos, the funeral service will take place at Saint Nicholas Ragkavas, in Plaka, on Friday, July 18, at 11:30 AM. The burial, at the Third Cemetery, at 1:00 PM,” reads the publication’s caption.
Gerasimos Michelis: education and theatrical career
Gerasimos Michelis was born in Athens in 1955. He graduated from the National Theatre Drama School in 1977 and immediately began his career at Karolos Koun’s Art Theatre. He distinguished himself in ancient drama performances such as “Oedipus Rex,” “Antigone,” and “Electra,” while also interpreting works by contemporary Greek writers like Iakovos Kampanellis and Dimitris Kechaidis.
During the ’80s and ’90s, he collaborated with the National Theatre and renowned venues such as Theatre Amore and Theatre Horn. He took on roles by Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Ibsen, always with characteristic intellectual intensity and theatrical authenticity.
Theatre performances
Throughout his career, he performed in numerous productions, including Electra, The Marriage of Figaro, Iliad, Vladimir Mayakovsky: Here I Am, They Were All My Children, The Noble Villager, Platonov, Moonlight, Little Hero, Servant of Two Masters, The Seven Last Words of Our Savior on the Cross, and Three Sisters.
He had attended voice training seminars, studied solo singing and theory at the Piraeus Conservatory, and participated in Lefteris Vogiatzis’s Ancient Drama workshop (1989–1992).
Television and recognition
Gerasimos Michelis became known to the general public primarily through his participation in television series. He stood out as the “villain” in “Para Pente” (2005), while also appearing in series such as The Life of Another (2009), The Red Room – episode “Medusa’s Memory” (2008), If You Existed I Would Leave You (2007), In Jordan (2002), and Shadows in the Peristyle (2001).
Poetry, spirituality and farewell
Beyond acting, he was also a poet. His poetry collections reflect his deep search regarding God, existence, and humanity. The parish of Saint Nicholas Ragkavas, to which he belonged, bid farewell to Gerasimos Michelis with words of respect and faith. “With deep sorrow and faith in the life-giving Resurrection, our parish announces the passing of our beloved brother Gerasimos Michelis.” He endured his illness with peace of mind, leaving behind a quiet but powerful imprint in the cultural sphere.
