Nia Vardalos was so creatively inspired by her marriage to non-Greek actor Ian Gomez that she wrote"My Big Fat Greek Wedding." The marriage has ended after nearly 25 years with a divorce filing.
Her 1993 nuptials inspired the hit movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," and the marriage lasted for nearly 25 years.
But on Friday, Nia Vardalos, 55, filed for divorce from husband Ian Gomez, 53, citing irreconcilable differences.
In a joint statement obtained by USA TODAY Tuesday, the couple called the split a joint decision which comes after more than a year of separation.
After the couple's Sept. 1993 wedding, Vardolos wrote the one-woman play "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," partially based on her own experiences. She starred in the 2002 hit movie playing Toula Portokalos, who falls in love with non-Greek Ian Miller (John Corbett). Gomez played Corbett's best man, Mike.
Vardalos and Gomez adopted their daughter Illaria, an experience the actress detailed in her book, "Instant Mom."
Vardalos told USA TODAY in 2016 her daughter's first day of kindergarten inspired her to write 2016's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2," with her and Gomez reprising the same roles.