Beautiful deep voice, black hair and a posture that imposes itself on whoever lays eyes on the Greek figure of world-wide known Irene Papas, are only some of her characteristics. Born in Chiliomodi, Greece, Papas wanted to just make it and she did. She first made a career in participating as a dancer and singer in variety shows during her 20s. Slowly her star shone and Irene Papas found herself as a leading actress in Greek films. The demand, however, for her presence in international films did not delay and soon Irene Papas found herself starring in foreign productions of legendary films next to actors such as Anthony Quin in Zorba the Greek, Gregory Peck in The Guns of Navarone, Yves Montand in Costa Gavra's "Z". She also starred in films such as The Brotherhood (1968), Anne of the Thousand Days, A Dream of Kings (all 1969), Mohammad, Messenger of God (1977), Eboli, Bloodline (both 1979), Lion of the Desert (1981), Erendira (1984), Into the Night (1985), High Season (1987), and Island (1989). Irene Papas acted as a muse for Greek-Cypriot director Michael Cacoyiannis and his productions of the Ancient Greek tragedies Electra, Iphigenia and Trojan Women.