This article is about the fictional character. For the sports commentator, see Jimmy the Greek. For the theater, see Greek Theatre (Los Angeles). For the painter, see El Greco. For other uses, see Greek (disambiguation).
Fictional character
The Greek
The Wire character
Bill Raymond as The Greek
First appearance
"Ebb Tide" (2003)
Last appearance
"–30–" (2008)
Created by
David Simon
Portrayed by
Bill Raymond
In-universe information
Gender
Male
Occupation
International smuggler Organized crime boss
The Greek is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Bill Raymond. The Greek is the head of an international smuggling organization, including narcotics and human trafficking.[1] The Greek is a mysterious figure involved in numerous criminal activities. His given name is never mentioned on the show and he is known only as the Greek, although he stated that he is not actually Greek.[2]
A quiet and unassuming man, the Greek prefers to keep a low profile, operating all of his business through his lieutenant Spiros "Vondas" Vondopoulos. His smuggling organization operated from a small diner in Baltimore for years, and while Vondas would conduct business the Greek would listen in quietly at the counter. Nick Sobotka, upon seeing the Greek identify himself, was amazed that the shadowy figure had been in plain sight the entire time. He serves as the primary antagonist of the second season.
Despite his calm demeanor, the Greek is cunning and ruthless, and only interested in facts that make him more money. Series creator David Simon has said that the Greek is an embodiment of raw unencumbered capitalism.[3] Anyone interfering in this process is eliminated immediately, and he prefers to leave victims headless and handless to hinder identification. His smuggling operation includes importing sex trade workers, illicit drugs, stolen goods and chemicals for drug processing. He bribes union stevedores to move containers through the Baltimore port for him and uses his enforcer, Sergei "Serge" Malatov, to run containers back and forth from the port to his warehouse, a front managed by "Double G" Glekas.
The Greek supplies the major drug dealers in East Baltimore with pure heroin, using Eton Ben-Eleazer to move his drugs. His chief client is Proposition Joe, but he is also affiliated with smaller drug dealing organizations like those run by "White Mike" McArdle. His sex trade interests in Baltimore include a brothel run by a madam named Ilona Petrovna, bringing in girls from eastern Europe. He manages to avoid prosecution for his crimes because an FBI counter-terrorism agent named Kristos Koutris tips him off if a criminal investigation gets too close. It is suggested the Greek and Vondas may serve as federal informants.
^"Character profile - The Greek". HBO. 2004. Retrieved 2006-08-16.
^Stated in the episode "Port in a Storm".
^Meghan O'Rourke (2006). "Behind The Wire". Slate. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
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