While making small appearances in sitcoms such as The Drew Carey Show and Two Guys and a Girl, Vardalos began writing a screenplay about her wedding to husband and fellow actor Ian Gomez. Unable to get the screenplay produced, she turned the material into a stage performance. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" soon began commanding sold-out performances and drew the attention of Hollywood heavyweight couple Rita Wilson - herself a member of the Greek community - and her husband Tom Hanks.

Wilson and Hanks decided to produce Vardalos' screenplay with Vardalos as the star. Premiering in 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding was an immediate critical and box-office sensation, becoming one of the highest grossing independent films of all time and the highest grossing romantic comedy of all time. The film garnered Vardalos an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay; a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical; a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture; a Broadcast Film Critics Association nomination for Best Writer; and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance.

Since then, she has written, produced, and starred in a number of acclaimed comedies, includingConnie and Carla with Toni Collette and David Duchovny, My Life in Ruins with Richard Dreyfuss, and I Hate Valentine's Day.

Nia Vardalos is the author of Instant Mom - due for publication in April 2013 - a witty, honest, and poignant road-to-parenting story about the circumstances that led to the adoption of her daughter, the daily chaos of parenting, and the inspiration for her becoming a major advocate for adoption. With her signature comedic flair and candor, Vardalos opens up about the heartaches and headaches, tears and laughter that make up what it means to be a parent in Instant Mom and her keynote presentations.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada, Vardalos studied theater and music at Toronto’s Ryerson University. She followed her natural instincts for comedy and took a job at the box office of Toronto’s Second City Theater, the home of comedy’s famed SCTV. Soon thereafter, when one of the performers fell ill, Vardalos volunteered herself on stage as a last minute addition to the cast. Having spent hours studying the show from the back of the theater, Vardalos convinced the producers that she knew the sketches and could step in. Her performance so impressed the producers that she was given a permanent spot in the troupe as a performer and writer. She then relocated to Chicago’s Second City ensemble where she went on to win Chicago’s Jeff Award for Best Actress.

Following her stints at Second City, Vardalos relocated to Los Angeles to pursue television and film work.

Vardalos made her directorial debut in 2009 with the comedy I Hate Valentine’s Day, which she wrote and co-starred in with My Big Fat Greek Wedding alum John Corbett.

Having become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after comedic actor/writers, Vardalos went on to co-write the box-office hit Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts and is currently penning the “anti-romantic comedy” Leftovers, in which she will star and produce for Paramount Pictures.

She continues to make guest star appearances on television series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grey’s Anatomy, Cougar Town, and The Good Guys.

In addition to her extensive writing, producing, and acting career, Vardalos fundraises for the underprivileged and is a spokesperson for National Adoption Day. Read Less ^