Zorba the Greek

Zorba the Greek is the title character of Nikos Kazantzakis's 1946 novel, a larger-than-life Greek peasant who embraces life with exuberant physicality and philosophical acceptance.

The character became iconic through the 1964 film adaptation, particularly Anthony Quinn's portrayal.

Someone described as a Zorba figure lives with passionate intensity, dances freely, and refuses to let hardship diminish joy: He approached every meal, every conversation, like Zorba the Greek.