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Olympia Dukakis has died.
The American actress - best known for her roles as Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolias and Rose Castorini in Moonstruck - passed away on Saturday at the age of 89, her brother has told.
Olympia‘s brother Apollo Dukakis took to Facebook to share that his sister died "after months of failing health."
He penned on the social media site: “My beloved sister, Olympia Dukakis, passed away this morning in New York City. After many months of failing health she is finally at peace and with her Louis.”
The announcement was illustrated with a photo that showed Olympia smiling.
Below the post, several of Olympia's fans shared their upset at learning that the talented star - who acted in over 130 stage productions, over 60 films, and in 50 television series - was gone.
One devoted fan typed: "Our deepest condolences to you and your family. We are so fortunate to have been witness to her brilliant work. The talent and devotion that your family represents is an inspiration to all."
Another added: "Oh no!! I am so sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathies to your family. What a powerhouse and a pride of our community. Legend."
A third and fourth echoed: "I’m sorry for your loss Apollo Dukakis and a great loss to the international theatre and film world. RIP" and "I am so tremendously sad to hear of her passing. She was amazing and unforgettable. Wishing you peace in your time of loss."
Olympia was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and her parents were Greek emigrants.
She had an impressive career that started on stage and in 1963, she won an Obie Award for A Man’s a Man and a second two years later in The Marriage of Bette and Boo.
The star then made a name for herself in Hollywood and won an Oscar Award for her role as Rose in the 1987 film Moonstruck.
She was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in Sinatra and received Emmy Award nominations for Lucky Day, More Tales of the City and Joan of Arc.
She starred in several big hits including Look Who’s Talking, The Cemetery Club, Mighty Aphrodite, Mighty Aphrodite, The Thing About My Folks and Jeffrey.
Throughout the years she worked with famous faces including Kirsty Allen, Cher, John Travolta, Kristen Stewart, Dolly Parton and Meg Ryan.
Dukakis was a series regular on the brief CBS' Center of the Universe and he also guested on numerous TV series, providing voices on Frasier and The Simpsons.
Other shows she worked on were Numbers, Law & Order: SVU and HBO's Bored to Death.
In 2009 she released her memoir Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress which tells the story of Olympia's struggle to find her place as an American, as a woman and as a celebrity.
In 2020, a feature-length documentary about her life, named Olympia, was released theatrically in the United States.
Dukakis was married to actor Louis Zorich who died in 2018.
She is survived by daughter Christina Zorich, an actress; sons Peter and Stefan Zorich; and at least four grandchildren.
