Greek actor Nikos Orfanos has revealed that he tries to be the father he never had after experiencing what he described as an unhappy childhood.
Speaking in an interview on the morning television show Super Katerina on Monday, October 26, the performer discussed his approach to raising his children and looked back on his treatment for a rare brain tumour.
Orfanos said he does not know if he is a good father, but admitted that the question preoccupies him constantly. He explained that any parent who actively worries about their role has a much greater chance of doing it well, adding that he hopes he will not leave his children with unresolved emotional difficulties as they grow older.
The actor explained that he continually strives to be the kind of father he wished he had when he was young. Looking back on his early years, he admitted he does not feel nostalgia for that period because he does not consider his childhood to have been very happy.
Reflections on childhood and family
Instead of dwelling on the past, Orfanos said he enjoys his life far more in the present. He noted that he feels completely at peace with the passage of time and actively enjoys the process of getting older.
He also spoke about his relationship with his mother, describing her influence as decisive in shaping his life. Parents are the first people who teach a child about the world, he said, adding that he maintains a close bond with his mother and makes every effort to remain by her side.
Orfanos has built a prominent career across Greek theatre, television and cinema, known to audiences for his roles in popular comedy and drama series, as well as a brief term serving as a member of the Hellenic Parliament. In recent public appearances, he also recalled that he and his wife proposed to each other almost simultaneously when deciding to marry.
Brain tumour diagnosis and surgery in Germany
The interview also addressed the serious medical crisis Orfanos faced when doctors discovered a tumour in his head, requiring complex surgical intervention. When asked whether the life-threatening ordeal had changed his general outlook on life, the actor insisted that his perspective was already formed before the diagnosis.
He explained that whenever a person encounters tragedy or distress, they are left with only one possible choice, which is to continue living.
Orfanos admitted that he felt deep terror for his life throughout the health scare, though he made a conscious effort to hide his anxiety from those around him. He said he kept his composure for the sake of his wife and young son, who both travelled with him to Germany for his hospital treatment, because he wanted to keep the family spirit positive.
The actor recalled feeling intense uncertainty over how his body would respond to the procedure, describing the condition as rare and unprecedented for his household. The crisis arrived at an exceptionally delicate moment, when his newborn daughter was less than a month old, though the family managed to see the treatment through to recovery.
Public response and messages of support
Following the disclosure of his illness, Orfanos received thousands of messages from the public, an outpouring that he admitted went far beyond anything he anticipated. The notes came from people facing similar health battles as well as members of the public who were simply moved by his candour.
The actor said he felt compelled to answer the messages personally and spoke over the telephone with several individuals dealing with serious illnesses. He explained that he wanted to offer them genuine encouragement and hoped that speaking with them provided at least some comfort.
His recovery has left him deeply grateful for ordinary moments. In earlier remarks following his surgery, Orfanos shared that crossing paths with friends in the street moved him to tears, reminding him of how wonderful it was simply to be alive.
