Nia Vardalos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nia Vardalos
Vardalos in 2011
Born	Antonia Eugenia Vardalos (1962-09-24) September 24, 1962 (age 62) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Alma mater	Toronto Metropolitan University (BFA)
Occupation	Actress comedian screenwriter director producer
Years active	1996–present
Spouse(s)	Ian Gomez ​ ​ (m. 1993; div. 2018)​
Children	1

Antonia Eugenia "Nia" Vardalos (born September 24, 1962) is a Canadian actress, screenwriter, and director. She is most famous for writing and starring in the hit romantic comedy film My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002). Her work on the movie earned her nominations for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. The film was so popular it led to a movie series.

Early life

Nia Vardalos was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on September 24, 1962. Her parents, Doreen and Constantine "Gus" Vardalos, were Greek-Canadian. Her father was a land developer, and her mother was a bookkeeper and homemaker. Nia went to St. George School and Shaftesbury High School in Winnipeg. Later, she studied at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto.

Career

Vardalos at the Connie and Carla premiere in Los Angeles, April 2004

Nia Vardalos began her career in comedy. She was part of The Second City, a famous comedy group in Chicago. She wrote and acted in many comedy shows and even won an award for Best Actress in Chicago. She also had small parts in TV shows like The Drew Carey Show and provided a voice for a Star Wars radio show in 1996.

Breakthrough with My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Vardalos became a huge star with her movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. She first performed it as a one-woman play. The story is about a Greek woman trying to find love and get her family to accept her non-Greek fiancé.

The movie was a massive success. It was a "sleeper hit," which means it became popular over time through word-of-mouth. It became one of the most successful independent films ever made. For this film, Vardalos was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing and a Golden Globe for Best Actress. In 2002, she also hosted the popular TV show Saturday Night Live.

Later Films and Projects

In 2004, Vardalos wrote and starred in Connie and Carla. It's a musical comedy about two women who hide from criminals by pretending to be drag queens. The movie has become a cult favorite.

She made her debut as a director in 2009 with the movie I Hate Valentine's Day. Later that year, she starred in My Life in Ruins, a story about a tour guide in Greece. It was the first American movie allowed to film at the famous Acropolis of Athens. Vardalos, who speaks Greek, got permission from the Greek government herself.

In 2011, she worked with actor Tom Hanks to write the movie Larry Crowne. She also voiced a character in the film.

Vardalos returned to her most famous role in 2016 with My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which she also wrote. In 2023, she directed and starred in the third film of the series, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.

Television and Stage Work

Besides movies, Vardalos has appeared in many TV shows. From 2015 to 2017, she co-hosted the baking competition The Great American Baking Show. She has also had guest roles in shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Chucky.

Vardalos is also a talented stage actress. In 2016, she adapted the book Tiny Beautiful Things into a play. She starred in the play in New York and California, and it was very successful.

Personal life

In 1993, Vardalos married American actor Ian Gomez. In 2008, they adopted a three-year-old daughter from the foster care system. Vardalos wrote a book about her experience called Instant Mom, which became a New York Times bestseller. She donated all the money she made from the book to groups that help with adoption.

Vardalos and Gomez announced their separation in 2017 and their divorce was finalized in 2018.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

See also

In Spanish: Nia Vardalos para niños