Stefanos Linaios

Born

1928-08-06

Died

2026-04-18

Birthplace

Messini, Messinia, Greece

Biography

Stefanos Linaios (Greek: Στέφανος Ληναίος; born Dionysios Mytilinaios (Διονύσιος Μυτιληναίος); 6 August 1928 – 18 April 2026) was a Greek actor, writer, director, theatrical businessman and politician. He was a member of PASOK and served as an MP for the 1st Athens constituency from 1989 to 1990. He graduated from the Athens Theatre School in 1951 and from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London in 1969. During the period 1954 - 1967 he collaborated with more than 20 troupes in 100 theatrical plays while appearing in 100 films, radio broadcasts and on television. Since 1970, he had directed and participated in 50 plays and many radio and television programs. He was the founder of the Contemporary Greek Theatre troupe at the Alpha Theatre in Athens. He wrote short stories such as "Some Deaths" and many studies including "Modern Theatre" and "TV as a Means of Education", which was taken into account in the establishment of ERT's educational television. He had served as general secretary of the Greek Actors' Association in 1966–1967, when he was dismissed by the junta due to political views. He had been an advisor to the Panhellenic Union of Free Theatre (PEETH) since 1975 and to the Greek Theatre Centre since 1977. He was also a member of the British Actors' Association. He was married to the also actress Elli Fotiou with whom they had two children, Margarita (1968), for many years director of the Second Program of the Hellenic Radio, and Alexis (1970).