Biography
Thanasis Veggos (Greek: Θανάσης Βέγγος; 29 May 1926 – 3 May 2011) was a Greek actor and director from Neo Faliro, Piraeus. He appeared in approximately 130 films, mainly comedies from the 1950s to the 1970s, starring in over 50 of them. He is regarded as one of the greatest Greek comedy actors ever. His well-known comedic catchphrase was "Καλέ µου άνθρωπε" ("My good man").
Veggos made his film debut in Windfall in Athens, produced by Mihalis Kakogiannis, which premiered on 11 January 1954 under the title Kiriakatiko Xsipnima. In 1955, Nikos Koundouros cast him in Magiki Polis. His first leading role came in 1962 with Psila ta heria Hitler ("Hands Up, Hitler"), followed by many more films. For his role in What Did You Do in the War, Thanasi? (1971), he was celebrated by the Thessaloniki audience, and the film won three awards at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. Veggos frequently portrayed everyday men facing hardships, though he also took on anti-hero roles, dramatic parts, and performed in Aristophanes' comedies on stage. His characters often bore the name "Thanasis." He commonly collaborated with directors Panos Glykofridis and Giorgos Lazaridis. In 1995, Theo Angelopoulos cast him alongside American actor Harvey Keitel in Ulysses Gaze. In 1997, he played Dikaiopoli in a live performance at the ancient theater of Epidaurus.
In 2000, Veggos survived a car accident involving a collision with a train and subsequently appeared in road safety advertisements.
A 2004 documentary about his life, titled A Man for All Seasons, was produced. Veggos performed all his own stunts, including hazardous ones such as hanging from a rope tied to a balcony fifty feet above the ground without safety measures, walking through a glass door, and falling headfirst down stone stairs. During the "Golden Sixties" of Greek cinema, he starred in popular comedies like the Secret Agent 000 sequel, Papatrehas, Enas trellos Veggos, and others featuring surreal humor. Many were produced by his own company, Θ-Β Comedies (Θ-Β Tainies Geliou), founded in 1964.
In 2008, Veggos was honored as a Commander of the Order of the Phoenix by Greek President Karolos Papoulias.
He passed away on 3 May 2011 at 7:10 a.m. after being hospitalized at the Red Cross hospital in Athens since 18 December 2010.
He is survived by his wife Asimina and two sons. Veggos’ legacy endures through his appearances in over 120 films and numerous recent documentaries. The Greek expression "τρέχει σαν το Βέγγο" ("runs like Veggos") has become common, reflecting his iconic speed and energy in slapstick comedy scenes.
