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Show cried Q We laughed untilFatweGreek at the movie My Big 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, Rha Wilson, dis- covered her. Tony G., Maryland Nia Vardalos, the woman behind the Har Htch movte was aabig sleeper hit movie of the year; grew up in Winnipeg, Canada. Yes, she is Greek, from a very traditional family. She got her stan working in the box office of the Toronto Q taThib Maria Lana, had once dreamed of a singing career and encouraged her 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 aETbt Merry Wnvs of Windsors 152, changing his name to Mario Lana in honor of his mother; His career was put on hold when he entered the service during World Warll. During his time in the Army, he sang in shows to entertain the troops and got married soon after leaving the service. He picked up his open career and was discovered by Hollywood. Appearances in films throughout the 1950s, and the popularity of the song & My Loir 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. out, and they put her on. Impressed with her performance, the producers asked her to join the group. She eventually moved on to the Chicago Second City troupe, where she met and married follow performer Ian Gomez. For years, the actress and writer entertained her friends with hilarious stories about her family; until one of them said she should turn it into a show. Thats exactly what show became a hit. Rica Wilson, also shedid, and the of Greek descent, brought her mother to see the show and loved it. She visited Vardalos backstage, then later sent husband Tom Hanks do see the show with the idea that it should be turned imo a movie. Two months later. Hanks' production company offered to make the movie, with Vardalos keeping the lead role. Vardalos other credits include Tie Dnu Carry Sbme and Bey Marti WerUtnA the features Alt Sttkirr UWn and Mat Prim Charming. Steve Harris plays attorney Eugene Young o the ABC series and has earned two Viewers for Quality Television Awards and two Emmy nominations for best supporting actor for his work. The Chicago native has a bachelor's degree in theater ruts from Northern Illinois University and a graduate degree in theater from the ; ThNdkrtStanlM Unhetsity of Delaware. He petfotmed in an production of Ht&mprfiMgMf, garnering critical acclaim. Other theater credits indude Macbeth and Juliets Caesar. Besides The Practice, his other television credits include Low & Order, Murir Om, and Cbugg) Hope. His movie credits indude The Rock and Minority ftport. He is single and lives in Los Angeles. die? Lana was bom Alfred Arnold Cover photo by Randy Janotki Italian immigrant parents. He started singing along to Enrico Carusos opea records when he was still a child. Ac 16, he declared his intention to become a professional singer. His mother; bom nJofaQraSwi MM&hnr rajBaPoadufc rPm-M- wwwjmaHanprBBi.i v I b paaM to know moru about your favor! to calabrity or public flgura? Gocoaza in Philadelphia in 1921 to 0ral DM Wauneca T., Kansas Would you Ilka Alice C, Indiana 1 ilraiEptllMlWM co-sta- does he play? Q Please tell me about Hario Lanza, my favorite tenor. Where was he bom? How did he smooucikm Can you Cell me about Steve Harris, who rs in the ABC scries The Practice ? Which role company of Chicago's famous Second Gty group. When one of the cast members had to be rushed to the hospital 10 minutes before curtain time, she told the producers she knew the show inside one-wom- Celebrating Hometown Life AnariaMI CM UE " MHt Om SrttOaiM mrnwuanuaiwiM Sand your questions to: Ask American Profile, 341 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, FranMn.TN 37067 or al us at adaaQameriainpniflesm. 1 wwSorcdurn. - f-l- Arartbc.UiVrai rtrabitbbr wSB pmOmelOn pinnnd npSw ilwwali .hi for the benefit of SAVE OUR SOUNDS will launch on eBay December 2nd, 2002 and ran 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.comsaveourhlstory or www.historydiannel.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 Issue! THE SAVE OUR HISTORY auction one-of-a-ki-nd |