سيرة
Delphi Irene Nikopoulos was born in Chicago as the fourth child of Greek immigrant parents. Due to a delayed christening, she was called "Bebecka" ("baby" in Greek) until age two, when she chose the name "Delphi" from a hat to resolve a family disagreement.
Her father, George, arrived at Ellis Island from Greece via Egypt at age 16. After joining his brothers in Chicago, he learned English by selling fruit, rolling cigarettes, and working in restaurants. He built a successful real estate career and later co-founded Michigan Avenue Bank in Chicago. Fulfilling a dream, he founded First State Loan and Savings Association and served as its president. Delphi's mother, Nikolitsa, was a gifted cook, renowned hostess, and an inspiring letter writer.
Delphi met her husband of 52 years, Norman Taylor Harrington, at Northwestern University; they married a year later in 1960. Norman was a Harvard-educated professor of Medieval and Renaissance literature at Brooklyn College and a devoted father to Spencer, Alexander, and Persephone. He passed away in 2013.
Classically trained, Delphi graduated from Northwestern Speech School, studying under Alvina Krause. Early in her career, Mary Morris, who brought Carnegie Tech to prominence, saw Delphi in "The Green Bird" and became her mentor before her passing. Through Mary, Delphi studied with the legendary Edith Skinner. Her most inspiring teachers included high school's Anna Helen Reuter and the exemplary Uta Hagen—actress, teacher, mentor, technician, craftsman, friend, protector, and spiritual guide. Uta remained a significant influence throughout Delphi's career.
Julius Monk, the famed entrepreneur known as the original "Man in the Hathaway Shirt" and internationally celebrated "saloon pianist," discovered Delphi one night at the renowned "Upstairs at the Downstairs." George Furth, who greatly admired her, arranged her audition, enthusiastically recommending Delphi to Julius despite never having seen her perform or sign. She auditioned before the full cast right after Mabel Mercer’s set and, inspired by the captivating Mercer, sang most of the night. Julius cast her in the acclaimed "Plaza Nine" revues at the Plaza Hotel.
Delphi starred on Broadway in Neil Simon's "Chapter Two" and earned a Drama League Award nomination for her role as "Madame Arcati" in "Blithe Spirit" at the Pearl Theater.
She worked with Arthur Miller in the Off-Broadway production of "After the Fall" and maintained a long association with Edward Albee. She collaborated with the brilliant Myra Carter in the Off-Broadway production of "Three Tall Women," also working alongside Marian Seldes. Delphi played "B" and participated in part of the National Tour. Later, she and Marian starred opposite each other in "Beckett/Albee." She won the prestigious Weiss Award at Playmakers Theater for her portrayal of "Claire" in "A Delicate Balance." Delphi also portrayed "Gertrude" in Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead."
An accomplished Shakespearean actress, Delphi performed nearly a dozen leading roles. She helped launch the inaugural season of The Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, playing "Desdemona" opposite Earle Hyman’s "Othello." She portrayed "Lady Capulet" on Broadway.
Delphi is a seasoned Shavian performer, playing "Lady Utterword" in "Heartbreak House" at the Guthrie Theater and Yale Rep. She expanded her repertoire to include Oscar Wilde, portraying "Lady Bracknell" in "The Importance of Being Earnest." One of her favorite roles was "Desirée" in "A Little Night Music" at the Pioneer Theater in Salt Lake City.
She returned to cabaret at the Metropolitan Room, creating with pianist and musical director Woody Regan an evening dedicated to Noël Coward and Flanders and Swann titled "Cowardly Swann."
Delphi was a member of The Actor's Company Theater (TACT) for 20 years and has been a long-standing member of Ensemble Studio Theater (EST).
She remains readily available to support talented young playwrights and has participated in hundreds of readings.
