Interview by Vassilios Nicolaos Vitsilogiannis

(IG: @vassiliosvitsilogiannis)

Sophie Zanninou is one of the most beloved and enduring artists of the Greek performing arts, with more than fifty years of uninterrupted presence in theatre, film, television and music. With a career filled with remarkable collaborations, unforgettable roles and experiences alongside some of Greece’s greatest artists and creators, she continues to serve her craft with the same passion and dedication. In the interview that follows, she reflects on the defining moments of her journey, the dreams left unfulfilled, the changes in the entertainment industry and the values that have shaped both her life and career.

You have a career spanning decades in theater, song and television. If you could turn back time, is there a moment in your career you would live the same way?

There are many such moments, because I was lucky to work with great artists such as Thanassis Veggos, Kostas Chatzihristos, Nikos Stavridis, Nikos Perakis, Harry Klin, Antonis Kafetzopoulos, Nikos Kalogeropoulos, Georgia Vassiliadou, Maria Georgiadou, Smaragda Karidi, Alekos Syssovitis, Chryssoula Diavati and many more.

As for television, I worked with Nikos Sergianopoulos, Mirka Papakonstantinou, Jessie Papoutsi and Penelope Pitsouli.

Also in the theater with Giannis Zouganelis, Eleni Kastani, Antonis Loudaros, Zeta Douka, Penelope Anastassopoulou. With all the old directors such as Alekos Sakellarios, Orestis Laskos, Kostas Karayiannis, Leo Bartlett. I sang with Giorgos Marinos, Marinella, Giorgos Gerolymatos, Harry Klin, the Tzavara brothers, Dakis, Thanasis Bratzioti, Giannis Zouganelis and many others.

You were fortunate to collaborate with distinguished artists of the Greek theater and cinema. Who taught you the most important lesson and which memory from those years do you still keep alive?

I especially remember collaborations with maestros such as Giorgos Katsaros, Mimis Plessas, Giorgos Pagiatis, Giorgos Theodosiadis, Giorgos Chatzinassios. The most important lesson I learned from them is respect.

Is there a great Greek actor or artist you never had the chance to meet or work with and would have loved to?

I had an unfulfilled collaboration with Manos Hadjidakis. When the iconic Athens Tower, the country’s first 26-story skyscraper, was being built, businessman Dimitris Antonakis envisioned an ultra-luxurious roof garden at its top and entrusted Manos Hadjidakis. Discussions took place; the concept was locked. Exhaustive rehearsals completed, the act reached the final rehearsal. Unfortunately, there was never a premiere.

How do you think the theater and entertainment field has changed from the time you started until today? Are these changes mostly positive or negative?

There are changes and there aren’t. Everyone says that back then there were those stunning and great actors. Yet, because I work with many very young actors, I must tell you I have seen exceptional talents, girls and boys, whom I have admired and applauded. We have equally great actors as in the old days and time will prove me right, because we truly have very good actors. Things change anyway; the tools are different, and old performances had their magic, but new ones with new tools, such as lights, sound, etc., also create a magical result.

Right now you are involved in new artistic works and collaborations. What excites you most about each new professional step?

That I must portray and adopt a new character like the one I did in the Grand Hotel TV series, which I had never done before and there is always a tremendous charm and a strong challenge in everything new. Now, in the Your Face Sounds Familiar TV show, I was teaching acting and it was a major challenge because we did 120 disguises, i.e., the artists impersonated 120 different characters, different singers and that was a great charm, a great challenge and we pulled it off. That was a great joy for the EXCEPTIONAL participants and me!!! Wonderful, talented singers and actors, each better than the other.

Family has played a significant role in your life and in shaping your personality. What values have you tried to pass on to your own family?

What I took from my own family is honesty, courage, hard work and love.

As a mother and a woman with a lot of life experience, what do you consider the most important advice you would give today to young people?

Usually, I don’t advise people because every person is unique; every character is unique; what may suit me may not suit another person. Just go with honesty in everything you do because that gives truth and you see the real image of any situation. Always proceed with honesty, open-mindedness and open-heartedness, without a second thought and you will nail it. Whenever people go with malice and cunning, they are ruined. Whatever you do, do it with sincerity, courage and love. The universe will compensate you. There is a cosmic balance, as if everything we do is recorded: the good and the bad. What we sow is what we reap; that is the only sure thing.

Having worked with many generations of artists, how do you see the new generation of actors and singers? Do you notice the same passion that existed before?

Of course I see it, but I also see another thing: the older generation was usually experiential; there were no acting schools, and there were not many stimuli; now all the young actors, singers, and dancers receive a great education, and this is a great asset for an artistic career.

What qualities should a young artist have to endure in the field and build a career with longevity rather than just a momentary success?

Money and fame should come second. Colleagues and the quality of the work should be priorities, as should the love of making artistic work.

If Sophia Zanninou could leave a message to the people who have followed her all these years, what would it be?

I love them from the bottom of my heart because without those who love me, I wouldn’t exist. I thank them from my heart for honoring me with their love.