Nico Lathouris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1944 (age 80–81) |
| Education | National Institute of Dramatic Art (BFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, writer |
| Years active | 1971–present |
Nico Lathouris (born 1944) is an Australian actor and writer. He is best known for his roles as George Polides in the 1993 romantic comedy filmThe Heartbreak Kid and as George Poulos in the 1994 television teen drama spin-offHeartbreak High. In both, he plays aGreek Australian patriarch, father of the protagonist, Nick (Alex Dimitriades).[1] Lathouris was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film at the1993 Australian Film Institute Awards.[2]
He is also the co-screen writer ofMad Max: Fury Road (2015) andFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024).[3][4][5]
Lathouris is a second generationGreek Australian, and born to Greek parents inMelbourne.[1]
In 1977, he performed on stage with theNimrod Theatre Company forDavid Hare's play,Fanshen.[6]
Lathouris has worked on the television seriesPolice Rescue. At the1991 Australian Film Institute Awards he was nominated for theAFI Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama.[7]
He also appeared inGeorge Miller's filmMad Max (1979) as a car mechanic. He also ran film and drama workshops for the Australian Film Commission.
He is best known for his roles as George Polides in the 1993 romantic comedy filmThe Heartbreak Kid and as George Poulos in the 1994 television teen drama spin-offHeartbreak High. In both, he plays aGreek Australian patriarch, father of the protagonist, Nick (Alex Dimitriades). Lathouris was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film at the1993 Australian Film Institute Awards.[2]
He is also credited by Dimitriades as his mentor on the film and credited the success of the TV series for Lathouris' role asdramaturge, coaching the younger cast members.[8][9] He helped to develop realistic characters from a whole variety of ethnic backgrounds. The series marked a big shift in the way that life in Australia is represented in TV drama. In the past, many shows had not reflected all the different cultures which exist side-by-side in Australia's big cities, andHeartbreak High broke the mould by acknowledging and celebrating the country's cultural mix.
Lathouris is co-screenwriter (alongsideGeorge Miller andBrendan McCarthy) ofMad Max: Fury Road (2015) andFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024).[3][4][5] At the42nd Saturn Awards he was nominated with Miller and McCarthy for theSaturn Award for Best Writing.[7] The trio were also nominated by theFilm Critics Circle of Australia for Best Script/Screenplay.[7]
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