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Show mum Maria Lanza, had once dreamed of a singing career and encouraged Ixr talented son to pursue his dream. After years of singing lessons and a scholarship to Berkshire Music School, he made his operatic debut in a production of The Merry Vines of Wmdor in 1942, changing his name to Mario Lanza in honor of his mother. Ills career was put on hold when he ilJi We laughed until we cried at the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Can you tell us a bit about Nia Vardalos, who wrote the script and starred in the film? We heard that Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, discovered her. Tony (i., Maryland I 4 Aj entered the service during World War II. During his time in the Army, he sang in slxiws to entertain tlx tttxips and got married smn after leaving the service. I le picked up his opera career and was discovered by Hollywood. Appearances in films throughout tlx 1950s, and the pojnilarity of the song Be Al) Lott from one of those films, gave him worldwide fame. He suffered a massive, fatal heart attack in 1959- He and his wife had four children. Nia Vardalos, the woman behind the was a 'blg fat hit Hef ittk Inc in die of movie slccjicr year, grew up Yes, she is Greek, from a very traditional Vgf Can you tell me about Steve Harris, who Winnipeg, in the ABC series The Practice? Which role family. She got lurr stan working in the box office of the Toronto Second of Wlien the of one he does famous ( play? City group. Imago's company Wauneta T., Kansas cast mcmlxTS hail to be rushed to the hospital 10 minutes before curiam time, she told the pnxlucers she knew the show inside Steve Harris plays attorney Eugene out, and they put her on. Impressed with tier performance, the Young on the ABC series and has pnxlucers asked her to join the gmup. She eventually mewed on to earned two Viewers for Quality Teledie Chicago Second City troupe, where site met and mamed fel- Celebrot In a Homelmen Life conoe IN CHUT Daniel Hammond CIO a M L. nttSIOfMT Porter Richard G. vie t rafsuxNTcxiarnvi torro Piter Fowl VKi NttWOtHTCIttATTVI Chute Cat Idken Carol Oem NHSonU I t PdOOUCTlON (dtom Stuart Enjlert, Richard Matthiwt i taken Joyce Canxhen fane Soglf Aft OtrKtor Brtnan Sharp Director f fUndy janoiki Maraf m Sam Pijmt Piodutttow Pudfcato Dwyr Jama Mum Phot Ctardnatan Cham TbchouC haa Johnston Hanafar f Ihtwi Cm fmAmim AaBiti Kdk Hofcrqn hawayr d Printing OttHbudw i Kmt Aridmon AcvumwHC - urn VkpPwifcwtdAdurtkiwyTriCjy Artman co-sta- rs low jxrformer Ian Corner. For years, die actress and writer entertained her friends with hilarious stones alxxit her family, until one of them said site should turn it into a show. That's exactly what slmw became a hit. Rira Wilson, also six did, and tlx of Creek descent, brought her mother to see the show and loved it. Six visited Vardalos backstage, then later sent husband Tom I lanks to see rix sliow with tlx idea that it sfxxild be turned into a movie. Two mtaiths later, I tanks' production company offered to make the movie, with Vardalos keeping the lead role. Vardalos' other cretins include TheDreu Carey Shott and Boy Mats WWtand vision Awards and two Emmy nominations for best supporting actor for his work. The Chicago native has a tuclxlor's degree in tlxarer arts from Northern Illinois University and a n tlx features .Wo Salmi; VCvruen and Mat Prime Cbamuny,. Please tell me about Mario Lanza, my favorite tenor. Where was he bom? How did he die? Alice C, Indiana Lanza was bom Alfred Arnold Gxrozza in Philadcljhia in 1921 to Italian immigrant parents. He started singing along to Enrico ( iaruso's opera records wixn lx was still a diild. At 16, lx declared Ins intention to become a professional singer. His mother, bom graduate degree in tlicacer from tlx Universiry of Hepetfiirmed in an production of HJmtmpe Bouquet, garnering critic al acclaim. Otlxr tlxarer credits include Matieth and Julius TJ Practice' Stev Ham Coe-to- Oaopo Ml Dmro NaBwta CAOJUTIONtAUI firryl Narfwd COAPOMTI AMO BMTOMAL OWCf 4IM444000 PUtUtHMCGAOUPOf AHEJUCA and CIO; Oi4nnaa.Pwl4 LDantd Hammond Swer VP wd CW Fbwdal OWcan Suptn CDugpn Senior VA a Saaai Slaw Ybung fceford G Portar StntorVPafPufcfeMnf VP of Scracagk OndopmMC Jot DondanviMc : Gra Code : Stephan r. Besides The Praiiue, his other television credits include Lau & Order, Murder One, and Chiuixp Hjx. 1 1 is movie credits include 77 wwwjmtricinproUltxom Rnk and Minority Report. He is single and Eves in Los Angeles. ClOUf rVltllNINC I 1 Of A M Cover photo by Randy Janoski I C A d B Would you like to know mori about your favorite celebrity or public figure? l Amanowi Pro pubbshtd by PubUdunf Group Asnanca. 41 Cod Spring SouArvarJ Swta 400 PrankM Mai adur 17047 9una ant contrdueon to Idttor. Amoncjn ProAi 17047 341 Cod Prankta.TN 400 Suna Sprtnp Wm PuddwGTOodAmanca.lntw4inotbripont4jnor Send your questions to: Ask American Profile, 341 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin.TN 37067 or us at askusamencanprof3e.com. ail The volume of met received pnXutxu ui from fnnnf personal repW --mail or other means. Jamaica :jBnaTmiy through ufHdkiftat macanaH.ant any matartak subnvaed C2002 Gmt emnoe guarantee the return d Amenta. Inc iradamarh Pubtahry Gmut d Afrmxtr Prudi a I d Amanotlnc Al rmarmd PUpnaducoon it w4sd or part of any erode. phoeorapK or other poroor d thn mapama swthoul da tpraai wncten panwwon d ubkhtn Group gfAmaoca, Inc a prdubnad. ry auction for the benefit of SAYE OUR SOUNDS will launch on eBay December 2nd, 2002 and run for four weeks through December 31st, 2002. An esteemed group of celebrities have joined together to support the Save Our Sounds Project Gibson guitars. by lending their signature to Log on to www.eBay.comsaveourhistory or www.historychannel.comsaveourhistory to submit bids. Funds raised on eBay will go directly to Save Our Sounds initiative to restore and preserve historic recordings. See more information on page 13 in this weeks issuel THE SAYE OUR HISTORY one-of-a-ki- nd d id k |