A Look Back at the Cast of the Iconic Film: My Big Fat Greek Wedding
The Main Cast
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 romantic comedy film written by Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick. The movie follows the story of Toula Portokalos, a Greek-American woman who struggles with her family’s overbearing expectations of her as a Greek woman. Despite the obstacles, Toula finds the courage to follow her own path, eventually falling in love and getting married. The movie was one of the most successful romantic comedies in the early 2000s, and the main cast still remains popular in the hearts of many fans.
Nia Vardalos as Toula Portokalos
Vardalos is the lead protagonist of the movie, playing the role of Toula Portokalos, a Greek-American woman who works in her family’s Greek restaurant and dreams of escaping her overbearing parents and their expectations of her. Despite feeling trapped in her life, Toula eventually finds the courage to follow her own path and falls in love with a non-Greek man. Vardalos also wrote the movie and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
John Corbett as Ian Miller
Corbett plays Ian Miller, a non-Greek man who falls in love with Toula and eventually marries her. Ian faces opposition from Toula’s family, but eventually wins them over and becomes an adopted member of the family. Corbett is best known for his role as Aidan Shaw on the popular series, Sex and the City.
Michael Constantine as Gus Portokalos
Constantine plays Toula’s father, Gus Portokalos, the patriarch of the family and owner of the Greek restaurant. He is a strict, traditional man who is determined to keep his family’s Greek customs alive. Despite his strictness, he loves his family deeply and eventually accepts Ian into the family. Constantine has also appeared in other films, such as The Hustler and The Sting.
Lainie Kazan as Maria Portokalos
Kazan plays Toula’s mother, Maria Portokalos. She is the matriarch of the family and is determined to keep her daughter in line and see her married to a Greek man. Despite her strictness, she eventually accepts Ian and welcomes him into the family. Kazan is best known for her role in the 1987 film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Gia Carides as Nikki Portokalos
Carides plays Toula’s sister, Nikki Portokalos. She is the wild child of the family and often clashes with her parents. Despite her rebellious nature, Nikki eventually finds love and gets married to her fiancé, Nick. Carides is best known for her roles in the films Strictly Ballroom and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
Louis Mandylor as Nick Portokalos
Mandylor plays Toula’s brother, Nick Portokalos. He is the youngest of the family and is often overlooked by his parents. Despite his shyness, Nick eventually finds love and gets married to Nikki. Mandylor is best known for his roles in the films My Big Fat Greek Wedding and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.
Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula
Martin plays Toula’s aunt, Voula. She is the eccentric aunt who often provides comic relief to the movie. Despite her outrageous nature, Voula supports Toula’s decisions and encourages her to follow her own path. Martin is best known for her roles in the films SCTV and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Joey Fatone as Angelo
Fatone plays Angelo, Toula’s cousin. He is a passionate and energetic young man who is determined to make Toula his wife. Despite his persistence, Angelo eventually finds love and gets married to another woman. Fatone is best known for his roles in the films My Big Fat Greek Wedding and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.