Theocharis Ioannidis

The son of a diplomat, Theocharis Ioannidis was born in Cologne, and grew up between Germany, Greece and Minnesota US. Although he read Law at the Law School in Thessaloniki, he followed his acting dreams with studies at the Acting Studio Inc and the New York Film Academy.

His first lead role was in the series “My Beloved Neighbours” (Λατρεμένοι μου γείτονες), which was followed with lead roles in Doctor Roulis (Doctor Ρούλης), Astrological War (Ο πόλεμος των άστρων), Brousko (Μπρούσκο), Red Wedding Dress (Κόκκινο Νυφικό), The Return (Η Επιστροφή) and currently in 8 Words (8 λέξεις).

Theocharis’ favourite performance to date is his lead role in the theatrical adaptation of "Demons" by Dostoevsky, at the Michalis Kakogiannis Foundation. He has also played the lead roles in Paul Pörtner’s “Sheer Madness”, “Chicago” the musical, and Costas Taktsis’, “Third Wedding Wreath” (Το Τρίτο Στεφάνι) at the Greek National Theatre.

We met with the multitalented Theocharis, one of the most layered and passionate Greek actors of his generation, for a cyber coffee.

Scroll down to read what he had to say…

wow..you must be exhausted? You seem to already have done so much and you are currently working on two projects. 8 Words (8 λέξεις) and the addictive Night Out Show, are you enjoying it? How crazy is your schedule?

I am enjoying hosting more than I thought I would... or I’m just getting older and I enjoy every moment ? I don’t know :)
My schedule is definitely not crazier than I already am.. I guess it is though, it’s a hectic schedule but I truly enjoy every minute of it.

Let’s go back in time… at what age did you discover your talent for acting and when did you start considering it as a career?

Honestly, I can’t remember me without trying to put up an act in front of the kids at school, or kindergarten for that matter, or even my parents and their friends at home.. I was restless.
I remember myself trying mimicking actors on Tv and films. Mimicking their voices, accents, mimicking them crying, laughing or delivering lines in general. It was magic to me. I would feel completely free being in my imaginary world, under imaginary circumstances, struggling with something.
It felt great to have new purpose from a different character’s point of view. It also felt great to live another life in my head every now and then.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve always loved my life.. it’s just that I’ve always been addicted to new challenges I guess. And what a great way to live another life every other season.
I’ve never really tried to think of it as a career. I guess I had no choice. It was either that or me going crazy, as in mental institution crazy, in all seriousness.
Acting has always been my way of expressing myself but at the same time a way of staying balanced in between complete madness and “real” life.

Tell me a little bit about your first role, how difficult was it to land?

It was an off Broadway show in New York City we did with a small group of actors from my acting school back in my acting school days.
A pervert that would watch his sister getting naked and doing everyday stuff through a “keyhole” and her letting him know she knew he was watching.
The play called “keyhole lover” completely changed my way of thinking on what it really meant to put on a show, play etc.
It was a breathtaking experience to me and I honestly have no recollection of either how difficult it was to me, nor how much effort I had put to make it happen.
One thing I remember though is that I felt completely and utterly at home. I felt so good about myself and my everyday experience with it that lead me to complete happiness.

What has been the most important thing you’ve learned from your collaborations and all the creatives and directors that you have worked with?

In all honesty, to shut up and listen. Speak less, listen more and trust your guts. It’s hard to completely trust yourself, but it made me realize how much I have to offer whenever I do.

From theatre to the small screen to the big screen and recently YouTube, where do you feel more at home?

Nowhere and everywhere at the same time. When I’m in the zone I don’t really care I guess where or what or whom I’m working on or with. It needs to feel right and it needs to be honest and it has to make sense.

How do you handle the situation with Covid-19? How badly did the pandemic affect your work?

I’m handling it like a complete champion I guess. I feel it helped me realize how matter doesn’t matter. It has affected our business but no more than it has affected the rest of the world I guess.

Tell us about the role you are currently playing “Aimilios Fokas” in “8 λεξεις”. Do you have anything in common with him?

I’m definitely opinionated whenever I believe in something and I surely grab anything I lay my eyes on. I’m very straight forward and I like playing games as long as there is a raw humor surrounding them, if that makes sense..

What has been the craziest experience you ever had on set whist filming? Any anecdotes or behind the scenes stories?

Playing drunk was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. A co-workers prank on a play that had a lot of water drinking involved. They replaced water with gin. Inevitably ending up completely drunk for a two hour show was a nightmare but super funny I guess, looking back at it.

What advise would you give your younger self and to the young actors starting out?

I absolutely have no advise to give, since I’m still trying to figure out everything surrounding this sweet madness. For magazine purposes I guess and trying to sound cute though I would probably say to younger kids : “Never loose yourself and always keep your ethics and standards!”
“That, for sure, nothing is more important than your dignity and your love for your own vision in this business. Let No one tell you otherwise..

What’s your motto in life?

Have a laugh with it

You can follow Theocharis Ioannidis on Instagram at @theocharis_ioannidis

Photography Dimitris Theocharis