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).[1] Earlier, he 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]
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]
Careeredit
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 televisionanthology seriesDeath 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.
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.[3]
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")
Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Won
Referencesedit
^Kehr, Dave (April 19, 2002). "FILM IN REVIEW; 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
^Hatza, George (December 20, 2014). "George Hatza: Michael Constantine prepares for 'Greek' sequel". Reading Eagle. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
^ abcFox, Margalit (September 8, 2021). "Michael Constantine, Dad in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding,' Dies at 94". The New York Times. from the original on September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
^""Death Valley Days" Paid in Full (TV Episode 1965)". IMDb. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
^""Death Valley Days" The Great Turkey War (TV Episode 1965)". IMDb. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
^"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2". My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movie. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
^Botch, Don (September 8, 2021). "Reading native and Emmy-winning actor Michael Constantine dies at 94 [Video]". Reading Eagle. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
^Calvario, Liz (September 8, 2021). "Michael Constantine, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' Actor, Dead at 94". ET Online. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
^Weiss, Benjamin (June 27, 2022). "Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
michael, constantine, confused, with, michel, constantin, born, efstratiou, Ευστρατίου, 1927, august, 2021, american, actor, most, widely, recognized, portrayal, kostas, portokalos, windex, bottle, toting, greek, father, toula, portokalos, vardalos, film, gree. Not to be confused with Michel Constantin Michael Constantine born Gus Efstratiou Eystratioy 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 1 Earlier he 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 Michael ConstantineConstantine in Room 222 in 1969BornGus Efstratiou 1927 05 22 May 22 1927Reading Pennsylvania U S DiedAugust 31 2021 2021 08 31 aged 94 Reading Pennsylvania U S Resting placeCharles Evans CemeteryOccupationActorYears active1953 2016Known forSeymour Kaufman in Room 222 1969 1974 Gus Portakalos in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise 2002 2016 SpousesJulianna McCarthy m 1953 div 1972 wbr Kathleen Patricia Christopherson m 1974 div 1980 wbr Children2 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 Filmography 5 1 Film 5 2 Television 6 Awards and nominations 7 References 8 External linksEarly life editConstantine was born Gus Efstratiou in Reading Pennsylvania He was the son of Andromache nee Fotiadou and Theocharis Ioannides Efstratiou a steel worker both immigrants from Greece 3 Career editHe 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 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 6 Personal life editOn 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 3 Death editConstantine 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 9 Filmography editFilm edit Year Title Role Notes1959 The Last Mile Ed Warner Convict1961 The Hustler John Big John 1963 Island of Love Andy1964 Quick Before It Melts Mikhail Drozhensky1966 Hawaii MasonBeau Geste Rostov1968 Skidoo Leech In Enemy Country Ladislov1969 Justine Memlik PashaIf It s Tuesday This Must Be Belgium Jack HarmonDon t Drink the Water Commissar KrojackThe Reivers Mr Binford1972 Deadly Harvest Stefan Groza TV movie1974 Death Cruise Dr Burke1975 The Night That Panicked America Jess Wingate1976 Voyage of the Damned Luis ClasingPeeper Anglich1978 Summer of My German Soldier Harry Bergen TV movieThe Pirate Yashir1979 The North Avenue Irregulars Marvin Marv FoglemanCrisis in Mid Air Frank Piovano TV movie1983 The Forty Days of Musa Dagh Talaat Pasha1985 Pray for Death Newman1987 In the Mood Mr Wisecarver1989 Prancer Mr Stewart1991 By a Thread Unknown1993 Question of FaithMy Life Bill IvanovichDeadfall Frank1996 The Juror Judge WeitzelThinner Tadzu Lempke2002 My Big Fat Greek Wedding Gus Portokalos Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor Motion PictureNominated Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureNominated Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Hissy Fit2016 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Final film roleTelevision edit Brenner 1 episode 1959 Target The Corruptors 1 episode 1961 The Untouchables 5 episodes 1961 1963 The Lloyd Bridges Show 2 episodes 1962 1963 The Eleventh Hour as Dr Jamison in episode And God Created Vanity 1963 The Dakotas as Marshak in Trouble at French Creek 1963 Channing 1 episode 1963 as Nick in No Wild Games for Sophie 1963 Gunsmoke 2 episodes 1963 1968 The Twilight Zone 1 episode 1964 as Sheriff Koch in I Am the Night Color Me Black Slattery s People 1964 one episode as Hungerford in Remember The Dark Sins of Youth Perry Mason 2 episodes 1964 1965 The Outer Limits episode 46 Counterweight 1964 My Favorite Martian TV series 2 episodes 1965 1966 Profiles in Courage 2 episodes 1964 The Virginian 1 episode 1965 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea The Indestructible Man 1 episode 1965 The Fugitive 3 episodes 1965 1967 Ernie Svoboda Ben Wyckoff Arthur Art Howe I Spy 2 episodes 1966 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 Jean Arthur Show 2 episodes as Carnella 1966 Hogan s Heroes 1 episode 1966 as Heinrich episode It Takes a Thief Sometimes Hey Landlord series 1966 1967 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 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 The Odd Couple series 1970 1975 Mary Tyler Moore 1 episode 1971 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 Kojak 1 episode 1974 The Krofft Supershow Electra Woman and Dyna Girl 4 episodes 1976 as The Sorcerer Sirota s Court 13 episodes 1976 1977 series 79 Park Avenue miniseries 1977 Roots The Next Generations miniseries 1979 Quincy M E 4 episodes 1979 Season 4 Episodes 14 amp 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 Fantasy Island 1 episode 1980 Benson 1982 season 4 episodes 1 amp 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 amp Simon 3 episodes 1984 1988 Highway to Heaven 1 episode 1985 Airwolf 1 episode 1985 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 Plan 10 From Outer Space 1988 Law amp Order 2 episodes 1992 1994 Cosby 1 episode 1997 My Big Fat Greek Life 7 episodes 2003 Cold Case 1 episode 2007 Awards and nominations editYear Association Category Production Result1970 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy Room 222 Won1971 Primetime Emmy Awards NominatedGolden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor Television2003 Satellite Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Comedy or Musical My Big Fat Greek Wedding WonReferences edit Kehr Dave April 19 2002 FILM IN REVIEW My Big Fat Greek Wedding The New York Times Retrieved February 22 2019 Hatza George December 20 2014 George Hatza Michael Constantine prepares for Greek sequel Reading Eagle Retrieved February 22 2019 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 Death Valley Days Paid in Full TV Episode 1965 IMDb Retrieved September 17 2018 Death Valley Days The Great Turkey War TV Episode 1965 IMDb Retrieved July 7 2022 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movie Retrieved July 9 2016 Botch Don September 8 2021 Reading native and Emmy winning actor Michael Constantine dies at 94 Video Reading Eagle Retrieved September 9 2021 Calvario Liz September 8 2021 Michael Constantine My Big Fat Greek Wedding Actor Dead at 94 ET Online Retrieved October 30 2021 Weiss Benjamin June 27 2022 Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Screen Rant Retrieved April 20 2023 External links edit nbsp Biography portal nbsp Pennsylvania portal nbsp California portal nbsp Film portal nbsp Television portalMichael Constantine at IMDb Michael Constantine at the TCM Movie Database Michael Constantine at AllMovie Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Michael Constantine amp oldid 1185107828, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
