The Portokalos Family: Where Is The Cast Of My Big Fat Greek Wedding Now? (Updated December 2025)

The Portokalos family has captured the hearts of audiences for over two decades, making their cinematic journey one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time. The original 2002 film, *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, became a global phenomenon, leading to two successful sequels, the most recent being *My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3* in 2023.

As of December 2025, fans are still celebrating the third installment, which took the entire family on an emotional and hilarious trip to Greece. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the main cast members, their roles, and the touching real-life story behind the newest film.

Detailed Profiles of the Main Stars

The chemistry between the lead actors, Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, is the foundation of the franchise. Here is a look at the careers and key facts about the stars who brought Toula Portokalos and Ian Miller to life.

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Nia Vardalos (Fotoula “Toula” Portokalos)

• Full Name: Antonia Eugenia "Nia" Vardalos
• Born: September 24, 1962, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
• Key Roles: Toula Portokalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise), *Connie and Carla*, *Larry Crowne*.
• Accolades: Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for the first *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* (2002).
• Franchise Role: Vardalos is the creative force behind the series, having written the screenplays for all three films and the spin-off TV series, *My Big Fat Greek Life*. For the 2023 film, *My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3*, she also took on the role of director.
• Latest Projects: Continues to work on various acting and writing projects, often sharing updates about her personal life, including her journey through adoption, which she detailed in her book, *Tiny Little Thing*.

John Corbett (Ian Miller)

• Full Name: John Joseph Corbett Jr.
• Born: May 9, 1961, in Wheeling, West Virginia, United States
• Key Roles: Ian Miller (My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise), Chris Stevens (*Northern Exposure*), Aidan Shaw (*Sex and the City* / *And Just Like That...*), and Dr. Dan Covey (*To All The Boys I've Loved Before* film series).
• Other Career: In addition to acting, Corbett is a country music singer and has released several albums.
• Relationship Status: He is married to actress Bo Derek, after a long-term relationship.
• Franchise Role: Corbett returned for *My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3*, cementing the love story between Toula and Ian, which is central to the entire franchise.

The Emotional Core: Honoring Michael Constantine (Gus Portokalos)

The most significant and emotional change in the cast for the third movie was the absence of Michael Constantine, who played the beloved patriarch, Gus Portokalos. Constantine passed away in August 2021 at the age of 94.

The plot of *My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3* was specifically crafted by Nia Vardalos to honor his memory. The story centers on the Portokalos family traveling to Greece for a family reunion, a journey Gus had always dreamed of, and to fulfill his final wish: delivering his old journal to his childhood friends.

Vardalos dedicated the entire film to Constantine, ensuring his character’s spirit, his obsession with Windex, and his love for his Greek heritage remained the heart of the movie. The film serves as a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to the actor and his iconic character, adding a layer of poignant depth to the romantic comedy genre.

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A Full Roster of Returning and New Portokalos Family Members

The enduring success of the *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* franchise is not just about Toula and Ian; it’s about the massive, loud, and loving Portokalos extended family. The third film brought back nearly every surviving original cast member, ensuring the familiar chaotic energy remained intact.

The Core Portokalos Family

• Lainie Kazan (Maria Portokalos): Toula’s mother and Gus’s widow. Maria’s role in *MBFGW 3* involves processing her own grief while trying to keep the family together on their journey.
• Louis Mandylor (Nick Portokalos): Toula’s brother, whose main purpose in the first film was to marry a Greek woman. He returns as the supportive brother, often providing comic relief.
• Elena Kampouris (Paris Miller): Toula and Ian’s daughter. Her character arc in the sequels focuses on her coming of age and embracing her Greek heritage, which is a major theme in *MBFGW 3*.

The Beloved Aunts and Cousins (The Topical Authority Entities)

No Portokalos gathering is complete without the hilarious side characters, who are crucial for the film's topical authority and comedic timing. These actors have been with the family since the 2002 original.

• Andrea Martin (Aunt Voula): The perpetually oversharing and advice-giving aunt. Her character is a fan favorite, known for her dramatic stories and insistence on feeding everyone.
• Gia Carides (Cousin Nikki): Voula’s daughter, known for her strong makeup and fashion sense, and often seen alongside her cousin Angelo.
• Joey Fatone (Cousin Angelo): Nikki’s cousin, who is often mistakenly thought to be gay by Gus in the first film. Fatone, a former member of the boy band NSYNC, has been a consistent part of the cast.
• Maria Vacratsis (Aunt Frieda): Another key member of the aunt trio, providing more of the family’s signature loud, loving chaos.

Notable New Cast Members in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

While the focus was on the returning cast, the third film introduced new characters to expand the Portokalos universe and connect the family to their ancestral home in Greece. These additions bring a fresh dynamic to the long-running sequel.

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• Elias Kacavas (Aristotle): A significant new character who plays a potential love interest for Paris Miller (Elena Kampouris), bringing a new generation's romantic comedy element to the story.
• Melina Kotselou (Victory): A new character who acts as the mayor of the village in Greece that the Portokalos family visits. Her character is instrumental in guiding the family through their emotional journey and the cultural differences they encounter.

The Enduring Legacy of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding Franchise

The *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* franchise is more than just a series of movies; it's a cultural touchstone that resonated with immigrant families worldwide. The original film, which started as a one-woman stage show written and performed by Nia Vardalos, became the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, a record it held for years.

The enduring appeal lies in its universal themes: the clash of cultures, the overbearing but loving family, and the struggle for personal identity within a strong cultural framework. The journey from Toula’s initial shyness to her finding her voice and directing the third film mirrors the empowering story of the actress herself.

With the 2023 release, the Portokalos family successfully transitioned the story from Toula’s wedding to her daughter’s journey, all while paying a beautiful tribute to the family’s patriarch. The cast, a blend of veterans and new talent, ensures that the spirit of “Opa!” and the importance of family (or "philotimo") will continue to be celebrated for years to come.