Anna Fonsou

Anna Fonsou is a renowned Greek actress recognized for her extensive work in film, theatre, and television, as well as her significant social activism. Raised in Tinos, her family's place of origin, she studied at Dimitris Rontiris's Drama School, trained in dance with Rallou Manou, and took singing lessons from Popi Petrioli. She made her theatrical debut in 1956 with Katerina Andreadi's troupe and entered cinema in 1957 with the film To paidi tou dromou (1957). Throughout her career, Anna starred predominantly in leading roles across a wide range of films, including dramas and comedies. She frequently collaborated with famous comedians such as Thanasis Vengos. In the early 1970s, she appeared in a series of cult erotic films, mainly directed by Omiros Efstratiadis. On television, she participated in various series like Oi dyo orfanes (1991) and Rakosyllektes (1994), and appeared in televised theatre through To theatro tis Defteras (1970) She also performed at the Greek National Opera in the operetta Oi Apahides ton Athinon, and since 2001 has been part of the National Theatre of Northern Greece ensemble. Anna has been active in politics, running as a parliamentary candidate with the Communist Party of Greece in 1996 and 2000, and later with PASOK in the Athens A constituency in 2009 and 2012. In 1997, she founded the charitable institution To Spiti tou Ithopiou ("The Actor's Home") to provide shelter for impoverished actors, serving as its lifelong president. She also stages theatrical productions with proceeds supporting the institution. From 1998 to 2000, she served as president of the Greek Actors' Union. In 2016, she was honored with the Nikolaos Karolos Award by the Academy of Athens for her social contributions linked to The Actor's Home. Anna was married to theatre entrepreneur and civil engineer Kostas Paltoglos, architect Nikos Sofianos, and from 1985 to 1993 to songwriter and composer Takis Bougas. The song "Anna," first performed by Kostas Karalis, was written in tribute to her and reflects their deep affection.