Nia Vardalos is a Canadian actress, screenwriter, producer, and director. She is best known for starring in and writing the romantic comedy film My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), which garnered her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.
Vardalos was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Greek-Canadian parents. She studied theater at the University of Toronto and the Second City improv troupe in Chicago. She began her career as a stand-up comedian and appeared in several television shows, including The Drew Carey Show and Suddenly Susan.
In 2002, Vardalos wrote and starred in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which was a huge commercial success. The film was based on her own experiences growing up in a Greek-American family. Vardalos won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Vardalos has since starred in several other films, including Connie and Carla (2004), I Hate Valentine’s Day (2009), and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016). She has also written and directed several films, including My Life in Ruins (2009) and Larry Crowne (2011).
Nia Vardalos Today
Nia Vardalos is currently 60 years old and living in Los Angeles, California. She is still actively working as an actress, writer, and producer. She recently starred in the third installment of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding film series, which was released in February 2023.
Nia Vardalos Movies and TV Shows
Film
| Year | Title | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | No Experience Necessary | Sheila | |
| 1997 | Men Seeking Women | Iris | |
| 1999 | Meet Prince Charming | Jennifer | |
| 2002 | My Big Fat Greek Wedding | Toula Portokalos | |
| 2004 | Connie and Carla | Connie | |
| 2006 | Greece: Secrets of the Past | Narrator | |
| 2009 | My Life in Ruins | Georgia Yanokoupolis | |
| 2009 | I Hate Valentine’s Day[17] | Genevieve | |
| 2011 | Larry Crowne | Map Genie (voice) | |
| 2012 | For a Good Time, Call… | Rachel Rodman | |
| 2012 | An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars | Mrs. Brooks | |
| 2013 | Dealin’ with Idiots | Ava Morris | |
| 2014 | Helicopter Mom | Maggie | |
| 2015 | Car Dogs | Sharon | |
| 2016 | My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 | Toula Portokalos | |
| 2018 | Charming | Nemeny Neverwish (voice) | |
| 2019 | Wonder Woman: Bloodlines | Julia Kapatelis (voice) | |
| 2022 | The Curse of Bridge Hollow | Madam Hawthorne | |
| 2023 | My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 | Toula Portokalos |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | High Incident | Uncredited | |
| 1996 | Common Law | Uncredited | |
| 1997 | The Drew Carey Show | Grace Almada | |
| 1997–98 | Team Knight Rider | Domino (voice) | |
| 1998–99 | Boy Meets World | Miss Gallagher (uncredited) | |
| 1999 | It’s Like, You Know… | Mindy | |
| 1999 | Two Guys and a Girl | Evelyn | |
| 2000 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Larry’s Lawyer | |
| 2002 | Saturday Night Live | Host | |
| 2003 | My Big Fat Greek Life | Fotoula “Toula” Portokalos | |
| 2008 | My Boys | Jo | |
| 2009 | Drop Dead Diva | Lisa Shane | |
| 2010 | The Good Guys | Eileen | |
| 2011 | Cougar Town | Angela Torres | |
| 2012 | Grey’s Anatomy | Karen | |
| 2013–23 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Attorney Minonna Efron | |
| 2015 | Marry Me | Pam | |
| 2015–19 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Angie Diaz | |
| 2015 | Jane the Virgin | Barbara Stanbrook | |
| 2015 | The Great Holiday Baking Show | Co-presenter | |
| 2016 | The Catch | Leah Wells | |
| 2016 | Graves | Annie Spiro | |
| 2016 | The Great American Baking Show | Co-presenter (with Ian Gomez) | |
| 2017 | Dr. Ken | Tiffany | |
| 2018 | DuckTales | Selene | |
| 2018 | Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | Wendy Legrand | |
| 2019 | Same Time, Next Christmas | Faye Anderson | |
| 2020 | Poisoned Love: The Stacey Castor Story | Stacey Castor | |
| 2021 | Station 19 | Patricia | |
| 2022 | Love, Victor | Theresa | |
| 2022 | Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities | Madame Levine |
Nia Vardalos Weight Loss
Vardalos has also lost a significant amount of weight in recent years. She has attributed her weight loss to a combination of diet and exercise. She has also spoken openly about her struggles with weight loss and her decision to get healthy.
Nia Vardalos Daughter
Vardalos’s daughter, Ilaria Gomez, is 14 years old. She is a talented artist and singer. Vardalos has said that Ilaria is her best friend and that she is grateful for her.