The Portokalos family has been a staple of romantic comedy for over two decades, first charming audiences with their Windex-fueled antics in 2002 and most recently with a heartfelt return to their ancestral home in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023). As of late 2024 and early 2025, the cast members from the original blockbuster have continued their successful careers across film, television, and Broadway, solidifying their status as Hollywood icons. This article provides a deep dive into the lives and recent projects of the core cast, from the writer-director Nia Vardalos to the beloved supporting players, and explores the emotional tribute at the center of the third film.
The enduring success of the franchise—which grossed over $368 million worldwide on a tiny budget—is a testament to the chemistry of its ensemble cast and the universal themes of family, culture, and finding love. With the newest movie hitting theaters in 2023, the question on every fan's mind is: What are Toula, Ian, Aunt Voula, and the rest of the hilarious Portokalos clan up to now, and how did they honor the memory of their patriarch, Gus?
The Portokalos Family Tree: Main Cast Biography & Recent Projects (2025 Update)
The core ensemble of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise has remained remarkably consistent, with most of the original actors returning for both the 2016 sequel and the 2023 threequel. However, the latest installment brought a bittersweet note as they honored the late, great Michael Constantine.
Nia Vardalos (Toula Portokalos)
- Role: Toula Portokalos, the protagonist who finally embraces her Greek heritage and marries the non-Greek Ian Miller.
- Biography Snapshot: Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Vardalos is not just the star but also the writer of all three films, earning an Academy Award nomination for the original screenplay. She also took on the role of director for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.
- Recent Projects (2024-2025): Vardalos’s primary focus has been the successful launch of MBFGW 3, which she directed in Greece. Her work on the film was a deeply personal journey, dedicating the movie to the memory of her late father and co-star Michael Constantine. She continues to be an advocate for adoption and a prolific writer.
John Corbett (Ian Miller)
- Role: Ian Miller, the gentle, non-Greek man who marries into the chaotic Portokalos family.
- Biography Snapshot: An established actor known for roles in Northern Exposure and Sex and the City, Corbett has a long-standing career in both film and television.
- Recent Projects (2024-2025): Beyond reprising his role as Ian Miller, Corbett made a highly-publicized return to the Sex and the City universe as Aidan Shaw in the second season of the spin-off series, And Just Like That..., reigniting his iconic romance with Carrie Bradshaw. He has also been involved in various television and independent film projects.
Lainie Kazan (Maria Portokalos)
- Role: Maria Portokalos, Toula's strong-willed, fiercely protective, and deeply loving mother.
- Biography Snapshot: Lainie Kazan is a veteran of stage and screen, with a career spanning over six decades. She is known for her powerful voice and dramatic roles.
- Recent Projects (2024-2025): Kazan returned as the matriarch Maria in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. While her recent film appearances have been less frequent, she remains a respected figure in the industry, often lending her voice and presence to various charitable and entertainment events.
Louis Mandylor (Nick Portokalos)
- Role: Nick Portokalos, Toula's supportive and often hilariously dramatic brother.
- Biography Snapshot: The Australian actor, brother of Costas Mandylor, has built a career primarily in action and independent films, often playing tough, no-nonsense characters.
- Recent Projects (2024-2025): Mandylor continues his prolific work in the action genre. Recent credits include the 2023 creature feature The Flood, and he has also stepped behind the camera, directing and starring in his own projects like the action-thriller Prisoner of War.
Andrea Martin (Aunt Voula)
- Role: Aunt Voula, the family's gossip queen and purveyor of questionable folk remedies, famous for her large, loving personality and penchant for telling embarrassing stories.
- Biography Snapshot: A two-time Tony Award winner and comedic legend, Martin is one of the most decorated performers in the cast, known for her work on the sketch comedy show SCTV.
- Recent Projects (2024-2025): Andrea Martin remains a powerhouse on the stage. She has won multiple Tony Awards for her work on Broadway, including for My Favorite Year and the 2013 revival of Pippin, and continues to be nominated for her theater work. Her recent recognition includes receiving the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, cementing her status as a theatrical icon.
A Heartfelt Absence: Honoring Michael Constantine (Gus Portokalos)
The most significant and emotional change for the My Big Fat Greek Wedding family was the passing of actor Michael Constantine, who played the beloved patriarch, Gus Portokalos. Constantine, famous for his obsession with Windex as a cure-all, died in August 2021 at the age of 94.
His absence is the central theme of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. The plot sees the Portokalos family traveling to Greece for a family reunion to honor Gus’s last wish: to visit his childhood village and reconnect with his roots. The film is dedicated to Constantine, serving as a beautiful, tear-jerking tribute to the man who gave the world the iconic, Windex-toting Greek father. Nia Vardalos, who was close to Constantine, ensured that his memory and character were handled with the utmost respect and love, providing a poignant anchor for the new story.
The Next Generation: New Faces and Evolving Roles in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
The latest film shifts the focus slightly to the next generation, most notably Toula and Ian’s daughter, Paris, and introduces new characters as the family explores their heritage in Greece. This generational shift ensures the franchise remains fresh while maintaining its core themes of tradition and family.
Elena Kampouris (Paris Miller)
- Role: Paris Miller, Toula and Ian's now-adult daughter, who is navigating her own romantic and cultural identity struggles.
- Biography Snapshot: Kampouris joined the cast in the second film and took on a more prominent role in the third. She is a young actress quickly building a resume in Hollywood.
- Recent Projects (2024-2025): Kampouris has been busy with roles outside the comedy genre, including the sci-fi thriller Wifelike (2022) and the horror film Vindicta (2023). Her upcoming projects, such as the drama Here Now (2024), demonstrate her versatility as she continues to explore different genres.
Joey Fatone (Angelo)
- Role: Angelo, Toula's cousin, known for his enthusiastic and often over-the-top personality.
- Biography Snapshot: Fatone is instantly recognizable as a founding member of the iconic boy band *NSYNC*. He has since transitioned into acting, hosting, and reality television.
- Recent Projects (2024-2025): While he continues to participate in *NSYNC* reunions and related events, Fatone is making a significant return to the stage. He is set to return to Broadway in January 2025, starring in the hit musical & Juliet, playing the role of Lance. This marks his first time back on Broadway in over two decades, showcasing his enduring talent as a performer.
Gia Carides (Cousin Nikki) and Joey Fatone (Cousin Angelo)
Gia Carides and Joey Fatone, as the iconic cousins Nikki and Angelo, also returned for the third film, providing their signature blend of humor and familial chaos. Their roles are essential in maintaining the zany, high-energy atmosphere that defines the Portokalos family gatherings. Carides continues to appear in various film and television roles, adding to her extensive body of work in Hollywood.
The success of My Big Fat Greek Wedding—now a beloved trilogy—is a powerful reminder of how a story rooted in specific cultural experiences can resonate universally. The cast, both original and new, has ensured that the Portokalos family’s legacy of love, laughter, and a little bit of Windex lives on for a new generation of fans.
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