Nia Vardalos Biography: In Her Own Words – Exclusive Video, News, Photos, Age

Antonia Eugenia Vardalos, better known as Nia Vardalos, is a Canadian-born actress, producer, screenwriter and director. She is best known for her captivating role as Toula Portokalos in the popular comedy/romance My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a performance for which she received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

NIA VARDALOS BIOGRAPHY: AGE, EARLY LIFE, FAMILY, EDUCATION

Vardalos was born on September 24, 1962 (Nia Vardalos age: 60) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She was born to Greek-Canadian parents. Her father, Constantine Vardalos, was a land developer who originated from Kalavryta, Greece. Her mother, Doreen Christakos, worked as a bookkeeper and homemaker.

For her educational years, Vardalos studied at St. George School, as well as Shaftesbury High School in Winnipeg. Additionally, Vardalos attended Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Canada.

NIA VARDALOS BIOGRAPHY: CAREER

Vardalos, a former member of Chicago’s Second City comedy repertory company, contributed to more than ten revues of sketch comedy, showcasing her unique skills as a writer and performer, having been awarded Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress. Vardalos received several minor roles in a handful of television series as well, including popular sitcoms, such as The Drew Carey Show and Two Guys and a Girl.

In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Vardalos revealed whether or not she related to her character on a personal level in the romance/comedy film My Life in Ruins (2009).

“The script was written by a Simpson’s writer named Mike Reiss, and with his permission, I added a little bit of stuff to it, and it was personally what I was going through,” Vardalos commented. “I lost my mojo. I just stepped quietly away from being on camera and wrote for a couple of years. And when I found this script, I realized I wanted to layer these things in because it’s what I was going through, and now I feel refreshed. I highly recommend losing your mojo every once in a while!”

Vardalos then went on to share her most memorable scene in My Life in Ruins with fellow crew member Richard Dreyfuss.

“It was the moment that I turned to Richard Dreyfuss and went, in Jaws, ‘how big was the shark?’ I just embarrass myself, number one fan. This movie was so much fun,” Vardalos exclaimed. “We all stayed in the same hotels, we’d see each other in the breakfast room. The cast is Rachel Dratch from Saturday Night Live, one of my closest friends from our Second City Chicago days, Harland Williams, Jareb Dauplaise who’s on Zack and Cody’s Suite Life. I mean, it was just such a weird, wild, mix of people and we all really got along and abused each other like you wouldn’t believe. My favorite scene is when Alexis Georgoulis, my Greek co-star, who is being dubbed by the press ‘Alex Gorgeous,’ and understandably so. He’s a huge star in Greece and this is his first film in America. My favorite moment is when he is standing on that cliff side telling me to stop looking up and to look within my own heart. I think it’s one of the most romantic scenes I’ve ever been lucky enough to be a part of. Also, he’s so manly that I know it won’t be a turn-off to the guys. It’s a really romantic movie.”

Later on in the interview, Vardalos gave advice to couples struggling with fertility.

“Do what you’ve got to do,” Vardalos said. “But just know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And that is, here in America, we don’t have orphanages. We have foster care. There are 129,000 legally free children who are just looking for a family and I just want to point people in the direction because American foster care doesn’t discriminate against sexual orientation, age, income level. Anyone can adopt in this country and it’s a little-known fact. How you do it, google the words foster family agency, and the agency in your state will come up and these, I call them the super pretty angels, they will help you through the process. And, I can’t tell you, our daughter’s just the best thing that’s ever happened to us.”

When asked what it’s like being a mother of a foster child, this is what Vardalos had to say:

“She’s completely changed my life,” Vardalos admitted. “My clothes are always sticky. Always. I’ve either got crayon or pancake sauce on me. It’s the best.”

NIA VARDALOS BIOGRAPHY: PERSONAL LIFE

Vardalos currently resides in Los Angeles. 

In September of 1993, Vardalos married fellow American actor Ian Gomez. For nine years, the couple tried to conceive through methods such as IVF and surrogacy. However, the two eventually wound up adopting their daughter Illaria Gomez in 2008. At the time her parents adopted her, Illaria was just three years old and a part of the foster care system.

Five years later, in 2013, Vardalos wrote a book about her experience adopting titled Instant Mom. It ended up a New York Times Bestseller, Vardalos donated all proceeds from its royalties to different adoption groups. In addition, Vardalos spent time posting an advice column regarding the process of adoption in The Huffington Post so that she could provide helpful information for those looking into the adoption process.

In July 2018, it was publicly announced that Vardalos and Gomez had filed for divorce after being together for over 20 years of marriage. Their split was finalized just two months later.