Steel Magnolias star Olympia Dukakis dies aged 89

Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis has died, aged 89.

The star, who appeared in Moonstruck and Steel Magnolias, died at her home in New York.

Her brother, Apollo, confirmed the news of her death on his Facebook page, paying tribute to the late star.

‘My beloved sister, Olympia Dukakis, passed away this morning in New York City,’ he wrote alongside a photo.

‘After many months of failing health she is finally at peace and with her [husband] Louis [Zorich].’

Olympia’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed.

George Takei led heartbroken tributes on social media, taking to Twitter to reflect on her incredible career.

‘Olympia Dukakis has departed our company,’ he penned. ‘We were Moonstruck by her, as she told us great Tales of the City. A true Steel Magnolia within a more common forest. 

‘Ah, what a life force, her later years her best. Rest now among the heavens, Olympia.’

The official Oscars Twitter account shared: ‘Olympia Dukakis brought warmth, humour and wit to the stage and screen for almost 60 years, including a stellar run of unforgettable roles in Steel Magnolias, Tales of the City and Moonstruck, for which she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

‘She will be missed.

Olympia boasted an incredible screen and stage career throughout the years, making her Broadway debut in the Aspern Papers in 1962.

But it was her role as the iconic Rose Castorini in 1987 classic Moonstruck, opposite Cher, which catapulted the late star to huge stardom in Hollywood – landing her an Oscar and Golden Globe for best supporting actress.

She also appeared in Look Who’s Talking, Steel Magnolias and Naked Gun.

As well as this, Olympia made guest appearances on some of the biggest shows on TV, providing voices on Frasier and The Simpsons, and nailing a cameo on Law and Order: SVU.

In 2018, she fronted a documentary about her life, alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Laura Linney –  with Olympia released in the US and on Video On Demand last year.

Olympia was married to fellow actor Louis Zorich in 1962, with the pair welcoming three children together – Christina, Peter and Stefan.

Louis died in January, 2018, at the age of 93.

She is survived by daughter Christina, sons Peter and Stefan.

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