Emmy-winning actor Michael Constantine died of natural causes at his home in Reading, Pennsylvania, his family has revealed.
Michael Constantine, who portrayed patriarch Kostas „Gus“ Portokalos in the hit romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding, has died at the age of 94. The Emmy-winning actor, given name Gus Efstratiou, died peacefully of natural causes on August 31 at his home in Reading, Pennsylvania, his family told the Reading Eagle. Paying tribute to the screen star, Constantine’s sister Patricia Gordon told the publication: „(He was) the most generous person you’d ever want to meet. The world is a better place because of him—really, truly.“ As news of Constantine’s passing circulated, tributes flooded in for the star, who earned an army of fans through his Emmy-winning role in the classic comedy Room 222. Nia Vardalos, who played his daughter Toula Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, wrote on Twitter: „Michael Constantine, the dad to our cast-family, a gift to the written word, and always a friend. „Acting with him came with a rush of love and fun. I will treasure this man who brought Gus to life. He gave us so much laughter and deserves a rest now. We love you Michael.“ She also shared a photo of Constantine with her real-life late father, adding the caption: „Michael Constantine as ‚Gus‘ and my real dad Constantine ‚Gus‘ Vardalos, onset #MyBigFatGreekWedding2.
