Antonia Eugenia "Nia" Vardalos is a Canadian actress, screenwriter, director, singer and producer. Her most notable work is the 2002 Academy Award–nominated film My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
American Screenwriters Association Award, Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for the best screenplay, Independent Spirit Award, Phoenix Film Critics Society Award
Nominations
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, MTV Movie Award for Female Breakthrough Performance, Satellite Award for Best Actres, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Writer
Movies
“Connie and Carla” (2004), “I Hate Valentine’s Day” (2009), “My Life in Ruins” (2009), “An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars” (2012), “Dealin' with Idiots” (2013), “Forget Me Not” (2015)
TV Shows
“Two Guys and a Girl” (1999), “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000), “Drop Dead Diva” (2009), “Grey's Anatomy” (2012), “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2013 – 2014), “The Catch” (2016), “Saturday Night Live” (2002), “The Great Holiday Banking Show” (2015)
[on her stint as a "caterer" for a student porn film spoof] My friend asked me if I wanted to be in the film, and I said, 'No, but I'll come and make food for everybody - because I'm so very Greek.' So I came and, as a joke, she gave me the credit of 'caterer' and now it's on my credits forever. People think it was a real porn flick, and I really was a caterer.
2
When I worked at 'Second City' in Canada, they brought me down to Chicago on a work permit. I was thrilled to be in Chicago. What I didn't know is that you only make $65 a show. I was a child of immigrants, so everyone worked. I had a job at 16. And although I didn't like that I'm very, very grateful for that now because it taught me to be self-supporting. It's not like suddenly, when you become a working actor all your friends are in the same situation. I have friends who are still handing out flyers for their one-woman show and trying to make ends meet.
3
I'd been raised by my parents who taught me not to think you're better than you are. And that I think is what Larry Crowne is going through. [He] will do anything to make a living, and that is indicative I think globally, and much more so in this country. People are just trying to get by. There's a relevance to 'Larry Crowne' that's fortunate and unfortunate. This is not a downer movie, this is an uplifting movie and yet it is not out of the realm of ordinary. It's what can happen if you keep your heart open.
4
You're never too fat for a new purse.
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Fact
1
Her parents are both of Greek descent.
2
Once worked the box office at Toronto's Second City.
3
She was nominated for a 1994 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Revue for "Whitewater for Chocolate", at the Second City Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
4
She and her husband Ian Gomez adopted a little girl named Illaria in 2008.
5
Became a naturalized U.S. citizen on April 20, 1999.
6
Is an alumna of The Second City.
7
Was a vegetarian for eleven years before her family wore her down.
8
Graduated From Ryerson University's School Of Acting
9
Her one-woman play "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was turned into a movie after Rita Wilson saw the play and recommended it to her husband Tom Hanks.
10
Named after her grandmothers Eugenia and Antonia.
11
Married NY-born TV actor Ian Gomez in Winnipeg's St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.
TV Series created by - 7 episodes, 2003 developed by - 7 episodes, 2003 written by - 1 episode, 2003
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
2002
written by
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
2016
written by
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
2016
executive producer
Connie and Carla
2004
executive producer
My Big Fat Greek Life
2003
TV Series co-executive producer - 1 episode
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
My Big Fat Greek Life
2003
TV Series developed for television by - 1 episode
Porno Outtakes
2001
Video short caterer
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
I Hate Valentine's Day
2009
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Connie and Carla
2004
performer: "Oklahoma", "Superstar", "Papa, Can You Hear Me?", "Memory", "Maybe This Time", "I Can't Say No", "Don't Cry for Me Argentina", "Mame", "Everything's Alright", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right outa My Hair", "Don't Rain on My Parade", "Cabaret", "Let Me Entertain You", "Give a Little Extra", "There are Worse Things I Could Do"
$10 Million
