Greek actor Nikos Kouris spent years struggling to prove his acting capabilities after being categorized purely as a handsome leading man early in his career, he revealed in an interview with Vogue magazine journalist Kelly Stavropoulou.
Speaking to the publication about his professional journey, personal life, and family, the performer admitted that escaping the label of a charming protagonist required long effort before critics and audiences recognized his talent.
Kouris is one of the most prominent actors in contemporary Greek theatre, television, and cinema, having built an extensive career across major stage productions and television dramas over two decades. Vogue, an international fashion and lifestyle magazine, published the conversation as part of a feature exploring his life on and off the stage.
Overcoming early career stereotypes
Reflecting on the early phase of his career, Kouris explained that public perception focused almost exclusively on his physical appearance rather than his dramatic skills. He noted that he spent many years trying to prove he was a good actor rather than just an attractive partner on screen.
The actor also discussed the profound impact of romantic love on human behavior, describing it as a powerful force that can cause individuals to lose control over their lives. He observed that love is essential for everyone, even though some people fear it while others fail to recognize its presence.
Kouris characterized love as both the only true life and the closest experience to death, calling it an extreme condition. He explained that being in love requires losing what a person previously knew about themselves, including their self-mastery, ego, and sense of peace.
According to the actor, there is no more uncomfortable state than surrendering self-control and allowing one's identity to be defined by another person. He noted that this total vulnerability makes love both immensely difficult and intensely meaningful.
Parenthood and pride in his son
Turning to his family life, Kouris described raising his son, whom he shares with dancer and actress Elena Topalidou, as the most demanding trial he has ever encountered. He emphasized that a child remains a parent's primary focus, greatest concern, and ultimate responsibility, stating that nothing in life compares to fatherhood.
Topalidou is a well-known Greek dancer and actress who has collaborated with Kouris in artistic projects. Discussing the challenges of raising a child, Kouris stressed that parental anxiety is permanent, yet acknowledged that parents cannot fully shape their children's choices because every individual must follow their own path.
He noted that parents ultimately cannot control the outcomes in their children's lives, remarking that the only action available to a parent is to offer unconditional love.
Kouris revealed that his son achieved admission into a university biology program this year, a milestone that filled him with immense pride. In Greece, secondary school graduates undertake nationwide competitive examinations to earn places in higher education courses such as biology.
The actor stressed that his pride stems less from the final exam result than from the independent attitude and personal commitment his son showed throughout the rigorous testing process. He added that the university place was entirely his son's own achievement, rejecting any suggestion that parental actions determined the successful outcome.
