Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1962-09-24
- Born Place: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Also Known As:
Antonia Eugenia Vardalos, Antonia Vardalos , Αντωνία Ευγενία Βαρδάλου, Νία Βαρντάλος, نیا واردالوس
Nia Vardalos
Nia Vardalos (born Antonia Eugenia Vardalos) is a celebrated Canadian-born American actress, screenwriter, director, and producer whose career is defined by her breakout success with the 2002 independent phenomenon My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Greek-Canadian parents, she began her comedic training as a member of the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto and Chicago. After facing early career frustrations where she was told her appearance and Greek heritage did not fit traditional Hollywood leading-lady profiles, she created a one-woman stage show inspired by her personal experiences and marriage to actor Ian Gomez. The show was discovered by Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, who helped her adapt it into the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, earning Vardalos an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Throughout the following decades, Vardalos expanded her creative portfolio by writing and starring in films such as Connie and Carla (2004) and I Hate Valentine's Day (2009), the latter marking her directorial debut. Her versatility as a writer and performer has led to collaborations with high-profile industry figures, including co-writing the film Larry Crowne (2011) with Tom Hanks and guest-starring on television series like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grey’s Anatomy, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2023, she returned to her signature franchise by directing and starring in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, which was filmed on location in Greece. Beyond the screen, Vardalos is a New York Times bestselling author for her memoir Instant Mom, which chronicles her journey through the foster care system to adopt her daughter, Ilaria. She has also found significant success as a playwright with the critically acclaimed adaptation of Tiny Beautiful Things. In the 2026 destination romantic comedy You, Me & Tuscany, she appears as Mrs. Dunn, the client whose empty villa provides the setting for the film's central conflict.
