Giorgos Kotanidis (23 May 1945, Drama - 28 January 2020, Athens) was a Greek actor, director and writer. Until the age of twelve, he lived in Drama, the birthplace of his parents who had come as refugees from Pontus. He studied at the Drama School of the National Theatre, abandoning his studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He was one of the creators of the Free Theatre in Allos Pagratiou and later during his theatrical career he collaborated with many troupes and directors, playing theatrical roles of all kinds. He also played several roles in Greek and international cinema, as well as on television. Politicized and integrated into the Left, he participated in the student movement. For his action against the dictatorship, he was repeatedly imprisoned and tortured.