George Kapiniaris

Last updated

George Kapiniaris
George Kapiniaris - Woow.jpg
Born1961 (age 6364)
Australia
NationalityAustralian
Years active1980s–present
Notable work Acropolis Now (1989–1992)
The Flying Doctors (1988–1994)
Underbelly (2008)

George Kapiniaris is an Australian stage, television and film actor and comedian. He is of Greek descent and is best known for his role in popular sitcom Acropolis Now and composed the series' theme song.

Contents

Career

Stage

Kapiniaris with Simon Palomares shown at right in 2008 George Kapiniaris,Simon Palomares, Radu Catrina.jpg
Kapiniaris with Simon Palomares shown at right in 2008

Kapiniaris appeared in the stage show Wogs Out of Work with Nick Giannopoulos, in the 1980s. [1] In 2007, he joined forces with fellow comedians Joe Avati, Nish Selvadurai and Simon Palomares for a national tour Il Dago. [2] In late 2012, he played in the Australian stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang . [3]

Television

In 1987, Kapiniaris joined the cast of the drama series The Flying Doctors as Demetris "D.J." Goannidis. He stayed on this role until 1991. [4] During this time, he also starred in the Melbourne-based popular sitcom Acropolis Now with Giannopoulos, Simon Palomares and Mary Coustas. Since that show's cancellation, he has continued stand-up comedy and has produced a few stage performances, as well as emceeing events such as weddings.[ citation needed ] Some of his songs include a parody of Knockin' on Heaven's Door , called "Gnocchi on Heaven's Door".[ citation needed ]

In 2007, Kapiniaris starred in the television comedy series Kick on SBS as Takis Mavros. [5] He also appeared in the same year on the television soap opera Neighbours , in a guest role as a celebrity chef.[ citation needed ] Kapiniaris appeared in the controversial 2008 mini series Underbelly , [6] where he played a real life character George Defteros. Also in 2008, Kapiniaris (and his Acropolis Now co-star Simon Palomares) made consecutive appearances on successful Channel 31 show, the Deakin TV produced TheatreGames LIVE.[ citation needed ]

Kapinaris has also had minor stints in Paul Fenech comedies, such as Pizza as an Albanian war criminal, Swift and Shift Couriers as a marriage celebrant and the 2011 comedy Housos in a minor role.[ citation needed ]

Kapiniaris has appeared in a series of comedic commercials for South Australian automotive repairer and insurance broker, the RAA, featuring Kapiniaris talking to a confidante; a barista named 'Trev' at a coffee shop. Kapiniaris created his own website based on the RAA ads. He also created a satirical Today Tonight segment entitled The Dummies, poking fun at politicians through the use of puppets.[ citation needed ]

Film

In 2003, he had a role in the film Fat Pizza , playing the character of Ronnie McDoggle. In 2012, he had a minor role in Housos vs Authority, the screen version of the sitcom Housos .[ citation needed ]

In 2009, he appeared as Ricardo in Broken Hill , [7] an inmate who played guitar in a jail band.

He plays Uncle Tasso in the 2015 film version of hit Australian stage play Alex & Eve , written by Alex Lykos

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleType
1989 Closer and Closer Apart Enzo VozzaDirect-to-video film
1995 Rainbow's End Cafe ProprietorTV movie
1997 Joey SpirosFeature film
2003 Fat Pizza Ronnie McDoggle Feature film
2004 Thunderstruck Mr KoythsFeature film
2005Bloody FootyVitoShort film
2009 Broken Hill Ricardo RomeroFeature film
2010Bad LanguageLefteriShort film
2010LattéJohn the BaristaShort film
2011Big Mama's BoyTheoFeature film
2012 Housos vs. Authority StylistFeature film
2014 Fat Pizza vs. Housos Mr GreekFeature film
2015 Alex & Eve Uncle TassoFeature film
2023Finally MeMr PaoadopoulosFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleType
1986 The Fast Lane ArlyTV series, 1 episode
1987 Willing and Abel TV series, 1 episode
1987Theatre SportsSelf (Team: "Lost on Stage")TV series, 1 episode
1987–91 The Flying Doctors Demetris 'D.J.' GoannidisTV series, 110 episodes
1988SentimentsImmigration OfficerTV series, 1 episode
1989–92 Acropolis Now Agamemnon 'Memo' Aristotele HatzidimitropoulosTV series, seasons 1–5, 63 episodes
1992 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Self (stand-up comedian)TV special, 1 episode
1995, 2000 Blue Heelers Leo Tapis / Gordon JenningsTV series, 2 episodes
1999 Pig's Breakfast QueegleTV series, 1 episode
2000 Round the Twist PauloTV series, 1 episode
2000 Russell Gilbert Live RacketeerTV series, 1 episode
2001–03 Pizza Ronnie / NannaTV series, 4 episodes
2004 Stingers Serge the KTV series, 1 episode
2007 Kick Takis MavrosTV miniseries, 13 episodes
2007 Neighbours Tony AristidesTV series, 1 episode
2008TheatreGames LIVE
2008 Swift and Shift Couriers Marriage celebrantTV series
2008 Underbelly George DefterosTV series, 3 episodes
2009The SquizSelfTV series, 2 episodes
2011 Housos: The Thong Warrior GeorgeTV series, 1 episode
2011–12 Toon Time Special guestTV series
2014 It's a Date TonyTV series, 1 episode
2014Planet UnearthSelfTV series
2016 Offspring NickTV series, 1 episode
2016–17 Fancy Boy JoeTV series, 1 episode
2019King TVSelfTV series, 2 episodes
2019–21 Fat Pizza: Back in Business Ronnie McDoggie TV series, 9 episodes
2023 Darradong Local Council Mayor Theo TheopoulosTV series, 9 episodes

Video game

YearTitleRoleType
2004 Rome: Total War VoiceVideo game

Stage

YearTitleRoleType
1980Obedience / The Future is in EggsDirector Victoria College, Melbourne
1981 Oedipus Victoria College, Melbourne
1982Hoopla - Opposite Waves Victoria College, Melbourne
1984Good Things Come in Glass Victoria College, Melbourne
1984Sorry - Audience / Private View Victoria College, Melbourne
1985Death: The Cabaret St Martins Theatre, Melbourne
1986Worry Beads and Furry DiceComedianLittle Sister's Cabaret Room, Adelaide for Adelaide Fringe
1987 Wogs Out of Work Comedian Melbourne International Comedy Festival
1989 Wogs Out of Work Comedian Enmore Theatre, Sydney, Geelong Arts Centre, Regal Theatre, Perth
1991 Acropolis Now Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide, Canberra Theatre
1992 Return to the Forbidden Planet Captain Tempest Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
1993An Evening with Merv Hughes His Majesty's Theatre, Perth
1994–96The Last ProxyComedian
1996 The New Rocky Horror Show Eddie / Dr. Scott Adelaide Festival Centre
1996The Queen and IArchie Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Monash University, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Gold Coast Arts Centre, Newcastle Civic Theatre, Canberra Theatre, University of Sydney
Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hoodwith Geminiani Orchestra
Una Razza Una Faccia Acropolis Now LiveComedian
1997 The New Rocky Horror Show Riff RaffHong Kong Lyric Theatre
1998Gangster Apparel Melbourne Athenaeum
Honeymoon In HellasComedian
1999 Born Yesterday Assistant Manager Playhouse, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company
1999 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Girl / various characters Playhouse, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company
The BenchThe Comedy Club for Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2001Who Let the Wogs Out?Comedian Enmore Theatre Sydney, Leopold Hotel, Perth, Civic Hotel, Perth, IMB Theatre, Thebarton Theatre Adelaide, Canberra Theatre
2001–02 Pizza – Live Enmore Theatre. Sydney
2002Oh! What a NightStretch Mulligan State Theatre, Melbourne with Majestic Theatre Company
2003FlaresWrest Point Cabaret Room, Tasmania
2004–05 Twelve Angry Men Juror #2 QPAC Brisbane, Sydney Theatre & Melbourne Athenaeum with Arts Projects Australia
2004–05Who Let the Wogs Out? Enmore Theatre Sydney, Leopold Hotel, Perth, Civic Hotel, Perth
2007–08Il DagoVictoria & New South Wales tour with XYZ Entertainment
2008From Burnside With LoveThe Cavern Club, Adelaide for Adelaide Fringe Festival
2010RockstarComedian (solo show) The John Curtin Hotel, Melbourne for Sydney Comedy Festival &

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

2010The Give and TakeDon Locke Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA
2012 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Goran Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Festival Theatre, Adelaide, Crown Theatre Perth, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane
2012Comicus ErectusComedian Melbourne International Comedy Festival & national tour
2015Zorba the FreakComedian (solo show) Casula Powerhouse, Creative Arts Space, Frankston
2015–16Wild WogsComedian Jupiter’s Casino, Gold Coast, South West Italian Club, Bunbury,
2015 Nice Work if You Can Get It Cookie McGee State Theatre Arts Centre Melbourne with The Production Company
2017–18Straight Outta CompoComedianWoodville Town Hall, Arkaba Hotel for Adelaide Fringe, The Star Gold Coast, Astor Theatre, Perth, Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Knox Club for Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL, Ramsgate RSL Club, Burwood RSL, Enmore Theatre for Sydney Comedy Festival
2019Wild 2 WogsComedianBankstown Sports Club
2021Who Let The Wogs OutComedian
2021Top End Comedy SpectacularComedianDarwin with Wowza Entertainment / Top End Shows
2022Crazy Rich EthnicsComedianAustralian tour
2023Life of ByronByronThe Fusebox, Sydney for Greek Festival of Sydney & Alex Theatre, Melbourne
2023Spot the Aussie Comedy Night
2024Big Fat Greek - Comedy & Music Variety ShowComedian – Greek Elvis / various charactersMelbourne, Sydney, Adelaide tour
2024Woggy Men in BlackComedian

[8] [9]

References

  1. Dennehy, Luke (22 August 2019). "Acropolis Now: 30 years on, the inside story". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  2. "Simon Palomares". speakerssolutions.com.au. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang announces full cast". aussietheatre.com.au. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. "The Flying Doctors". IMDb. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  5. "Kick". IMDb. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  6. "First shots fired in Underbelly". TV Tonight. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  7. "Broken Hill (2009) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. "AusStage".
  9. http://bgmagency.com.au/uploaded/cv/KAPINIARIS%20George.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]