Olympia Dukakis, who won an Oscar for her role in the 1987 film “Moonstruck,” has died. She was 89.
Dukakis died at her New York City home, according to Deadline. The cause of death has not been revealed.
Her brother, Apollo, confirmed the actress’ passing in a Facebook post.
“My beloved sister, Olympia Dukakis, passed away this morning in New York City,” he wrote. “After many months of failing health she is finally at peace and with her [husband] Louis [Zorich].”
Dukakis starred in many films including "Steel Magnolias," "Look Who's Talking," "Mr. Holland's Opus," and "Moonstruck," for which she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The performance, opposite fellow Oscar winner Cher, also netted Dukakis a Golden Globe.
Born in Massachusetts to Greek immigrant parents, Dukakis graduated from Boston University with a degree in physical therapy and a master’s in performing arts.
Her first cousin is former Massachusetts governor and 1988 U.S. presidential candidate Michael Dukakis
She began her acting career on the stage in New York and appeared in various plays such as "The Aspen Papers," "Abraham Cochrane," and "Who's Who in Hell."
Throughout her career Dukakis received three Emmy nominations, and famously portrayed transgender landlady Mrs. Madgrigal in the various iterations of Armistead Maupin's "Tales of the City." The most recent sequel premiered on Netflix in 2019.
A feature-length documentary on her life, entitled "Olympia," was released in 2020.
Married in 1962, Dukakis' husband, Louis Zorich, died in 2018 at the age of 93.
She is survived by her three children, Christina, Peter and Stefan.
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