The Biography

Maria Foka (Greek: Μαρία Φωκά, Argostoli, 1 October 1916 - London, 15 June 2001) was a Greek actress. She was born in Argostoli to her parents Nikolaos Th. Fokas (a captain) and Kaikilia Kountouri. She was an actress and activist of the Left who distinguished herself in roles of embodying strong characters. In the 1950s, she abstained from the stage, for almost 8 years, due to her conviction as a spy, in the trial of Nikos Belogiannis. She had been sentenced to life imprisonment by a vote of 3-2, but this was later commuted to 10 years' imprisonment with deprivation of political rights. She was President of SEI (1977). She was married to the actor Lykourgos Kallergis. She was one of the most famous grandmothers on Greek television, her roles in the series Ekmek pagato and Dolce Vita were characteristic. In the latter, she achieved enormous success playing the role of Olga Markatou. Her last television appearance was in the series Oi theosevoumoni in 2000. She died in London on June 15, 2001, after long-term heart problems and was released in Portsmouth.