Beloved Actress Who Played the Loud, Loving Matriarch in a 2002 Rom-Com Makes Rare Outing in LA — Can You Guess Who?

It’s been more than two decades since audiences first fell in love with the warm, hilarious, and endlessly quotable family at the center of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002). Now, the beloved actress who brought the boisterous, loving matriarch to life has been spotted in Los Angeles, delighting fans with a rare public appearance.

Yes — it’s Lainie Kazan, the veteran stage and screen actress who stole hearts as Maria Portokalos, the endlessly caring yet delightfully over-the-top mother in the hit romantic comedy. At 84, Kazan was seen enjoying a sunny day out in LA, dressed casually but stylishly, her trademark warm smile intact.

For many fans, the sighting sparked a wave of nostalgia. My Big Fat Greek Wedding was one of the surprise box-office sensations of the early 2000s, grossing over $368 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time at the time of its release. Kazan’s portrayal of Maria — a mother whose love for her family was as big as her voice — was central to the film’s enduring charm.

In the years since, Kazan has reprised her role in both sequels, including My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023). Each time, she brought the same mix of warmth, humor, and sass that made Maria such a fan favorite.

Her LA outing comes at a time when fans are celebrating the legacy of the film, which recently marked its 23rd anniversary. On social media, admirers flooded timelines with stills and clips of Kazan’s funniest lines, praising the actress for her ability to embody a character so relatable and larger-than-life at the same time. “She’s everyone’s mom or grandma rolled into one,” one fan wrote on X. “Maria Portokalos is iconic.”

Beyond her role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Kazan has had a distinguished career in both film and television, with credits ranging from Beaches to Desperate Housewives. She has also enjoyed a celebrated career on Broadway, where she showcased her powerhouse singing voice.

While her public appearances have become less frequent in recent years, Kazan’s rare outing reminded fans of her status as one of Hollywood’s most beloved character actresses. Many expressed joy in seeing her looking well and radiant, with some calling her appearance “a gift of nostalgia.”

In an era when Hollywood often moves quickly from one new star to the next, Kazan’s continued presence is a reminder of the timeless appeal of actors who can make audiences laugh, cry, and feel at home all in one performance.

For fans of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, seeing Maria Portokalos herself back in the spotlight was like a warm hug from the past — proof that some characters, and the actors who play them, never fade from memory.