George Kapiniaris

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.

George Kapiniaris
Born1961 (age 6263)
Australia
NationalityAustralian
Years active1980s–present
Notable workAcropolis Now (1989–1992)
The Flying Doctors (1988–1994)
Underbelly (2008)

Career

Stage

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. Some of his songs include a parody of Knockin' on Heaven's Door, called "Gnocchi on Heaven's Door".

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Year Title Role Type
1989Closer and Closer ApartEnzo VozzaDirect-to-video film
1995 Rainbow's EndCafe ProprietorTV movie
1997JoeySpirosFeature film
2003Fat PizzaRonnie McDoggleFeature film
2004ThunderstruckMr KoythsFeature film
2005Bloody FootyVitoShort film
2009Broken HillRicardo RomeroFeature film
2010Bad LanguageLefteriShort film
2010LattéJohn the BaristaShort film
2011Big Mama's BoyTheoFeature film
2012Housos vs. AuthorityStylistFeature film
2014Fat Pizza vs. HousosMr GreekFeature film
2015Alex & EveUncle TassoFeature film
2023Finally MeMr PaoadopoulosFeature film

Television

Year Title Role Type
1986The Fast LaneArlyTV series, 1 episode
1987Willing and AbelTV series, 1 episode
1987Theatre SportsSelf (Team: "Lost on Stage")TV series, 1 episode
1987–91The Flying DoctorsDemetris 'D.J.' GoannidisTV series, 110 episodes
1988SentimentsImmigration OfficerTV series, 1 episode
1989–92Acropolis NowAgamemnon 'Memo' Aristotele HatzidimitropoulosTV series, seasons 1–5, 63 episodes
1992Melbourne International Comedy FestivalSelf (stand-up comedian)TV special, 1 episode
1995, 2000Blue HeelersLeo Tapis / Gordon JenningsTV series, 2 episodes
1999Pig's BreakfastQueegleTV series, 1 episode
2000Round the TwistPauloTV series, 1 episode
2000Russell Gilbert LiveRacketeerTV series, 1 episode
2001–03PizzaRonnie / NannaTV series, 4 episodes
2004StingersSerge the KTV series, 1 episode
2007KickTakis MavrosTV miniseries, 13 episodes
2007NeighboursTony AristidesTV series, 1 episode
2008TheatreGames LIVE
2008Swift and Shift CouriersMarriage celebrantTV series
2008UnderbellyGeorge DefterosTV series, 3 episodes
2009The SquizSelfTV series, 2 episodes
2011Housos: The Thong WarriorGeorgeTV series, 1 episode
2011–12Toon TimeSpecial guestTV series
2014It's a DateTonyTV series, 1 episode
2014Planet UnearthSelfTV series
2016OffspringNickTV series, 1 episode
2016–17Fancy BoyJoeTV series, 1 episode
2019King TVSelfTV series, 2 episodes
2019–21Fat Pizza: Back in BusinessRonnie McDoggieTV series, 9 episodes
2023Darradong Local CouncilMayor Theo TheopoulosTV series, 9 episodes

Video game

Year Title Role Type
2004Rome: Total WarVoiceVideo game

Stage

Year Title Role Type
1980Obedience / The Future is in EggsDirectorVictoria College, Melbourne
1981OedipusVictoria College, Melbourne
1982Hoopla - Opposite WavesVictoria College, Melbourne
1984Good Things Come in GlassVictoria College, Melbourne
1984Sorry - Audience / Private ViewVictoria College, Melbourne
1985Death: The CabaretSt Martins Theatre, Melbourne
1986Worry Beads and Furry DiceComedianLittle Sister's Cabaret Room, Adelaide for Adelaide Fringe
1987Wogs Out of WorkComedianMelbourne International Comedy Festival
1989Wogs Out of WorkComedianEnmore Theatre, Sydney, Geelong Arts Centre, Regal Theatre, Perth
1991Acropolis NowThebarton Theatre, Adelaide, Canberra Theatre
1992Return to the Forbidden PlanetCaptain TempestComedy Theatre, Melbourne
1993An Evening with Merv HughesHis Majesty's Theatre, Perth
1994–96The Last ProxyComedian
1996The New Rocky Horror ShowEddie / Dr. ScottAdelaide Festival Centre
1996The Queen and IArchieComedy 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
1997The New Rocky Horror ShowRiff RaffHong Kong Lyric Theatre
1998Gangster ApparelMelbourne Athenaeum
Honeymoon In HellasComedian
1999Born YesterdayAssistant ManagerPlayhouse, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company
1999The Resistible Rise of Arturo UiGirl / various charactersPlayhouse, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company
The BenchThe Comedy Club for Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2001Who Let the Wogs Out?ComedianEnmore Theatre Sydney, Leopold Hotel, Perth, Civic Hotel, Perth, IMB Theatre, Thebarton Theatre Adelaide, Canberra Theatre
2001–02Pizza – LiveEnmore Theatre. Sydney
2002Oh! What a NightStretch MulliganState Theatre, Melbourne with Majestic Theatre Company
2003FlaresWrest Point Cabaret Room, Tasmania
2004–05Twelve Angry MenJuror #2QPAC 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 LockeDunstan Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA
2012Chitty Chitty Bang BangGoranCapitol Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Festival Theatre, Adelaide, Crown Theatre Perth, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane
2012Comicus ErectusComedianMelbourne International Comedy Festival & national tour
2015Zorba the FreakComedian (solo show)Casula Powerhouse, Creative Arts Space, Frankston
2015–16Wild WogsComedianJupiter’s Casino, Gold Coast, South West Italian Club, Bunbury,
2015Nice Work if You Can Get ItCookie McGeeState 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. 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. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  7. "Broken Hill (2009) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/203360
  9. http://bgmagency.com.au/uploaded/cv/KAPINIARIS%20George.pdf
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