On December 17, 2023, the Greek theater community, family, and friends gathered at the First Cemetery of Athens to bid farewell to beloved actor Dimitris Imellos, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 57 after battling the disease for two years. His untimely passing has left many heartbroken, reflecting the deep impact he had on both the stage and television, particularly known for his role as Antonis Fragkiadakis on the popular series "Sasmos."
Many prominent figures from the arts attended the funeral, sharing stories and memories of the talented actor. Among the first to arrive was fellow actor, theater director, and academic Stathis Livathinos, who expressed his sorrow at the loss of such a brilliant performer. He was joined by various colleagues, including actors Theodoros Katsafados, Vassilis Charalampopoulos, Maximos Moumouris, Argyris Pantazaras, and Sissy Toumasa, alongside the show's director, Kostas Kostopoulos.
The atmosphere was heavy with emotion as Imellos' mother supported herself on the arm of his brother and walked behind the coffin, visibly devastated. The ceremony also featured poignant statements from friends and family. His brother, Lefteris Imellos, remarked, "Today, we lost someone who surely embodied moral integrity simply by being called an actor. I thank everyone for their support; I will convey the message from Vassilis Charalampopoulos stating Dimitris did not leave alone; he took with him our hearts."
The funeral unfolded with individuals who had walked alongside Imellos arriving with flowers and tears, each sharing their grief. Michalis Aeerakis, one of the attendees, moved by the occasion, said, “We gathered here today to applaud one last time for a great actor. He left his mark forever; even if he left us too soon.” Similarly, actor Manos Petousis noted, “He was a wonderful human being and friend; people like him are rare in our field.”
Author Spyros Petroulakis expressed his sorrow saying, “This is a very sad day for us all. Today marks the first funeral of 'Sasmos,'” highlighting the piece of history embodied by Imellos within the show. His remarks resonate with the sentiment shared among many gathered at the funeral.
Imellos’ life was not only defined by his professional achievements but also by his loving role as father to his son, Phoebus, who is now 27 years old and working toward his own career in directing. Phoebus was present at the ceremony, clearly emotional yet honoring his father's legacy. Imellos had previously shared his feelings about balancing parenthood and his demanding career, reflecting, “Our children spend weekends with their parents, whereas our weekends often consist of work. I often felt I missed out on time with my son, and he missed me too.”
During the somber occasion, attendees also pledged to keep Imellos’ memory alive, with Thodoris Katsafados stating, “These characters should become role models for us to emulate,” signifying the enduring nature of Imellos' work and influence.
The moment the coffin was taken out of the church was met with applause, embodying the communal appreciation and love for Imellos. His family, with hearts heavy and eyes wet, followed behind, marking the start of their painful goodbye. The ceremony illustrated not only the deep respect for Imellos as an artist but also the affectionate bonds he formed with his peers and community.
This sad day brought collective mourning from all corners of the arts community as they reflected on Imellos’ contribution to television and theater. His life and work touch many and prompts conversations about legacy, inspiration, and the emotional connections nurtured throughout his career.
