Lainie Kazan

Actress and singer Lainie Kazan initially gained recognition with her Broadway debut in 1961, starring in the musical "The Happiest Girl in the World". The subsequent year, she appeared in another notable musical production, "Bravo Giovanni". Kazan's remarkable career trajectory continued as she served as the understudy for the lead role of Fanny Brice in the iconic musical "Funny Girl" (1968),starring the renowned Barbra Streisand. When Streisand was unfortunately unable to perform due to a throat condition, Kazan seamlessly took her place in both a matinee and evening performance for a single day of the show's run. Demonstrating her unwavering dedication to her craft, Kazan has contributed her impressive talents to an extensive array of film and television projects, with some of her most notable roles including her hilarious portrayal of Maria Portokalos in the beloved comedy films "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002) and its sequel, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" (2016). More recently, Kazan has taken on a leading role in the captivating film "Tango Shalom" (2021).