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Despo Diamantidou was born in Piraeus in a house with Doric columns, built by the famous Austrian architect, Schiller. Her lineage was Russian. She never studied at a Greek school, but instead received her elementary and high-school education in a German school.
"I mean I never went to a Greek school. I learned Greek from private teachers. I think I can write and speak good Greek, though. I've even done translations. As far as my basic education is concerned, I went directly to a German school. I was in the same class with (former Greek Prime minister) Giorgos Rallis, we actually shared the same desk. He's very happy whenever he sees me, and I say, 'Why are you happy? Because we haven't died yet?' All the students lost touch after the war. We had some Jewish children in school as well, though I think they were taken away to Germany. I will also never forget my gym teacher (also a Jew) who helped me win first place in the children's Greek Championship. He was a wonderful person. When I visited Dachau, I saw his name on one of the plaques with people who were murdered there."
Referring to the way she became an actress, she said,
"the Tsoha theatre was right behind our house in Piraeus. I often sat outside and watched what went on. They would play operas, and at times concerts. It's possible that the hours I spent watching outside of the theatre, despite them being hazy with the passing of time, were the reason for me wanting to go on stage. As a child, though, I loved music very much. My parents didn't hinder me this time either, so they sent for vocal lessons. I had great expectations of myself and I wanted to at least sing Wagner. It looks like I didn't have the right voice. I could only sing the bass notes, not the highs. I understood early on that singing was getting me nowhere. Ballet was also a disappointment. That's when I decided to become an actress."
At the age of 13, she fell in love with Dostoyefsky's books just after having read "First Love" by Turgienev, in German.
"I must have been 13 when I registered with the Kaufmann Library. I did nothing but read, like everyone else at home. Even my son. I believe that it's parents who are to blame for children that do not read. My son would watch me with a book constantly in my hands. I read in bed and while eating. I actually reached the point of reading a book a day."
After graduating from the National Theatre's School of Drama she made her first appearance in Euripides' "Medea", in 1942. Her first significant role is that of Lady Carolina in James Barry's "Don't blame our stars", under the directing guidance of instructor and founder Karolos Koon. She collaborated with a number of theatre troupes, such as Masouris, Andreadis, Manolidou-Aroni and Horn. From 1946 to 1950 she was one of the leading actresses of the National Theatre. In 1949 she shines in the Chorus in Aeschylus' "Oresteia" which was a great success at the Herodion theatre, directed by Dimitris Rondiris. In 1954 she returned to the National Theatre and stayed until 1963. She appeared in many plays while special mention is deserved for her performances in Euripides' "Ekavi", Chekhov's "Seagull" as Polina, and as the Orator in Aristophanes' "Eklisiazouses".
In 1947 she makes her debut in cinema in the film The children of Athens, but her international career begins in the 60s'. In 1965 she appears in the film No Mr. Johnson produced by James Paris and directed by Grigoris Grigoriou. When the military junta took over in Greece in 1967 she moved to the united States expressing her disfavour of the regime and stayed there until the end of the dictatorship in 1974. Her stay abroad provided a new creative potential in her career. She and her inseparable friend, Melina Mercouri, star in Julles Dassin's Ilia Darling at the Mark Helinger theatre in Broadway. It was the theatrical adaptation of the film Never on Sunday which is a milestone in Despo Diamantidou's career. Another landmark of her theatrical career was Cabaret, in which she substituted for Lote Lenia in the role of Frau Freider.
At the same time she plays Woody Allen's mother in The peacemaker. In Hal Prince's Black roses for the bride, Despo Diamantidou turns out another great performance, as in Yposehsi tin avgi (A promise in dawn) shot in Paris and directed by Julles Dassin. She also makes an appearance in Frankeheimer's Horse Riders shot in Spain.
In 1991 she received the second national best actress award for Th. Skroubelos' film Johnny Keln my lady. Despo Diamantidou is also distinguished for her translations.
Her husband was the renowned actor Andreas Fillipidis.
Despo Diamantidou worked with most of the Greek directors and participated in more than 40 Greek films.
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