Papavasileiou was born on 22 February 1949 in
Thessaloniki and grew up in
Serres where his father was a
public servant. He began his medical studies at the
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, but he never completed them because he turned to acting. At first Papavasileiou started studying at the Drama School of the Art Theatre, under the influence of
Karolos Koun. Papavasileiou received awards from the
Municipality of Athens, the
Municipality of Halandri, the Greek Association of Theatre and Music Critics and the Syracuse Theatre Festival in
Italy. He taught at drama schools and at the Theatre Department of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Thessaloniki and was artistic director of the National Theatre of Northern Greece and Director of the
Karolos Koun Art Theatre. == References ==