Giannis Gionakis was a Greek actor in film and theater. Gionakis was born in Athens in 1922. He began his studies at the medical school, but was won over by acting and proceeded to study theatre at the Karolos Koun Dramatic School and the Greek Odeon. He became particularly well known for his comedic roles in movies, where he was associated with portrayals of kind but dim-witted people.