Nia Vardalos

Writer, Producer & Actor, My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Nia Vardalos

Writer, Producer & Actor, My Big Fat Greek Wedding

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Biography

Nia Vardalos is an Academy Award®, WGA, SAG, Critics Choice and Golden Globe nominated screenwriter and actor, New York Times bestselling author, New York Times Critic’s Pick playwright, and the only woman to have ever solo written a film franchise.

Vardalos wrote and starred in the number one romantic comedy of all time, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, receiving an Academy Award® nom for Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe nom for Best Actress, and winning the Independent Spirit and People’s Choice awards. Screenwriting/Acting credits include CONNIE AND CARLA, I HATE VALENTINE’S DAY, LARRY CROWNE, MY LIFE IN RUINS, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 & 3 (plus directed).

Recent work includes CHUCKY, the IVY + BEAN films, Guillermo Del Toro’s CABINET OF CURIOSITIES. And, creator/star of original Audible series, MOTIVATED! and BLACK WIDOW, LAW & ORDER, GREY'S ANATOMY, and voicing of STAR vs. THE FORCES OF EVIL, WONDER WOMAN, and DUCK TALES.

Born and raised in Canada, Vardalos is classically trained in Shakespeare and musical theater, performed in TWELTH NIGHT and many musicals such as KISMET, MUSIC MAN and COMPANY, (winning the Broadway Award for Best Actress). An alumnus of The Second City Toronto and Chicago, Nia Vardalos won Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Best Actress award. She is a regular player in 24 Hour Plays on Broadway.

With over 200 licenses, her New York Times Critic’s Pick play, TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, directed by HAMILTON’s Thomas Kail, is on the list of Most Produced Plays with multiple productions from the Philippines, Korea, Mexico and Australia.

Vardalos is also the New York Times Bestselling author of her memoir INSTANT MOM and donates all proceeds to adoption charities. To date, the information from the book has placed over 2000 children in permanent homes.

Speaker Videos

Instant Mom

Access Hollywood

Speech Topics

Women’s Leadership – Women Cannot Be Marginalized

Activism

Finding Your Voice

Instant Mom: A Road-to-Parenting Story

Nia Vardalos shares her witty, honest, and poignant road-to-parenting story, sharing the circumstances that lead to the adoption of her daughter, the daily chaos of parenting, and the inspiration for her becoming a major advocate for adoption.

Testimonials

"We are so very grateful for your participation in bathing this year’s conference in such warmth and “heart.” As we’ve been focused for twelve years on elevating the way women feel about themselves, each other, and possibility, we were greatly impacted by your heartfelt stories. Your connection with the girls was immediately felt when you shared that you had a daughter close to their age. Thank you again for your humanity and the pleasure of your personality. You are awesome and amazing!"

- Women's Journey Foundation

"Nia Vardalos could not have been a better match for our fundraising event! The mission of Children’s Home Society is to promote the right of every child to a permanent, safe, and loving family, and Nia’s honest and poignant story of her experience with adopting from foster care related ideally to the work we do. Her enthusiasm and passion for the cause were contagious. She had everyone in the audience laughing and crying.

Nia was incredibly personable and gracious with our sponsors, donors, and guests both at the VIP reception and book signing. She had the same upbeat energy level with the last book signed as she did with the first. She also genuinely bonded with many of our guests who have a personal connection with adoption.

There is no doubt that Nia positively impacted our fundraising efforts, as well as cast a positive light on adoption from foster care.

We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees. Here is a quote from one of our major sponsors, “Yesterday’s event was probably my most favorite CHS event ever! Nia was wonderful and genuine – the whole program from start to finish was flawless!” One guest described Nia in a post on Facebook, “So friendly, down-to-earth, and funny!”

As for the CHS staff, we were disappointed when she had to leave to catch her flight. We felt like we had made a new friend. She was wonderful to work with."

- Children's Home Society of North Carolina