The Ever-Young Yiayia: Uncovering The Secret To Her Youth In My Big Fat Greek Wedding

In the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Bess Meisler plays the role of Yiayia, Toula's grandmother. The film is a romantic comedy about a young Greek-American woman, Toula, who falls in love with a non-Greek man, Ian Miller, and struggles to get her family to accept him. It was written by and stars Nia Vardalos, and is based on her own experiences.

Bess Meisler plays Yiayia

Bess Meisler, a talented actress born in the USA in 1922, portrayed the eccentric and comedic character Yiayia in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. Meisler's acting career started later in life, making her an inspiring example of perseverance in the entertainment industry. Her first Broadway appearance was in the 1981 revival of Fiddler on the Roof, where she played multiple roles. Six years later, in 1987, she made her television debut on the show Hunter, portraying Mrs. Patelli.

Meisler's big break came in 2002 when she played Yiayia in the highly successful romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In the film, Yiayia is the grandmother of Toula, the protagonist, and the mother of Kostas, played by Michael Constantine. Meisler's character provided comic relief, and her performance left a lasting impression on audiences. The movie received several award nominations and was a box office success, grossing $368 million worldwide.

Following her breakthrough role, Meisler continued to showcase her versatility as an actress, appearing in various television shows and films. She reprised her role as Yiayia in the 2016 sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, and also joined the cast of the short-lived TV series My Big Fat Greek Life, based on the original film.

In addition to her iconic role as Yiayia, Meisler has also made notable appearances in other projects, including Daddy Day Care (2003), Room 6 (2006), and The Perfect Family (2011). She has demonstrated her talent across different genres, including comedy, horror, and drama. Meisler's dedication to her craft and her ability to bring unique characters to life have solidified her place in the industry as a respected and beloved actress.

She is Toula's grandmother

In the 2002 romantic comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", Bess Meisler plays the role of Yiayia, Toula's grandmother. Toula, played by Nia Vardalos, is a 30-year-old Greek-American woman who works in her family's restaurant. She falls in love with Ian Miller, a schoolteacher, who is not Greek. As the film progresses, Toula gains more confidence and changes her image, ultimately winning over Ian's affections.

Toula's grandmother, Yiayia, is a comedic wildcard in the film. She suffers from dementia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from her experiences in war-torn Greece. Despite her condition, Yiayia is not just used for comic relief. In one of the film's most touching scenes, she shows Toula a picture of herself as a young woman and some mementos from her wedding. This scene reveals a softer side to Yiayia and helps to develop her character beyond mere comic relief.

In the 2016 sequel, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2", Yiayia is portrayed as a sweet-but-feisty character who shares compelling moments with Toula and Ian's daughter, Paris. By the third film, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3", released in 2023, Yiayia's character has passed away, but she is mentioned fondly by the family.

She suffers from PTSD

In the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Bess Meisler plays the role of Yiayia, the grandmother of Toula, the film's protagonist. While the film does not explicitly state Yiayia's age, it does provide some details about her life. For instance, we know that she is the mother of Maria Portokalos, Toula's mother, and the wife of Mana-Yiayia, who appears in the sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.

Yiayia suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a mental health condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event. It is unclear what specific events caused Yiayia's PTSD, but it is possible that she experienced trauma during her life that led to the development of this condition.

In the film, Yiayia is portrayed as a worrisome and woeful character, providing comedic relief throughout the story. Despite her mental health struggles, she is loved and accepted by her family, who seem to understand her condition and include her in their lives.

The portrayal of Yiayia's PTSD in the film highlights the importance of family support in managing mental health issues. It also brings attention to the reality that mental health struggles can affect people of all ages, including the elderly. While the film does not delve into the specifics of Yiayia's condition or treatment, it does provide a glimpse into how PTSD can impact family dynamics and the importance of love and acceptance in managing mental health struggles.

She is the comedic wildcard

Bess Meisler, who plays Yiayia in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding films, is the comedic wildcard of the cast. Meisler's hilarious turn as the worrisome and woeful grandmother of Toula Portokalos, the protagonist of the story, is a far cry from the roles she took on following the original movie's release. She went on to appear in Daddy Day Care (2003), Room 6 (2006), The Perfect Family (2011), and episodes of Malcolm in the Middle and The Comeback.

Meisler's character, Yiayia, is the grandmother of Toula, a 30-year-old Greek-American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek teacher, Ian Miller. Toula's large, loud, and intrusive Greek family, including Yiayia, only wants her to get married and have children. However, Toula longs to do something more with her life. She eventually gains the confidence to change her image and pursue her dream of working in her aunt's travel agency. Despite her family's initial disapproval, Toula continues to date Ian, and he agrees to be baptised into the Greek Orthodox Church to gain their acceptance.

In the 2016 sequel, Yiayia is referred to as Mana-Yiayia, indicating that she is now the great-grandmother of Toula's daughter, Paris. Mana-Yiayia convinces Paris to attend her dream college in New York rather than a closer university in Chicago. The film ends with the entire family, including Mana-Yiayia, dropping Paris off at her college dorm in New York.

She is worried and woeful

In the 2002 film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", Bess Meisler plays the role of Yiayia, the grandmother of the protagonist, Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos. Meisler's portrayal of Yiayia is described as "hilarious", "worrisome", and "woeful".

The film revolves around Toula, a 30-year-old unmarried Greek-American woman who works in her family's restaurant, "Dancing Zorba's". She falls in love with Ian Miller, a school teacher who is not Greek, and struggles to get her intrusive Greek family to accept him.

Toula's family, including her grandmother Yiayia, play a significant role in the film as they constantly interfere in her life and try to match her with single Greek men. Despite the challenges, Toula and Ian's relationship persists, and they eventually get engaged. The film culminates in their wedding, which is a grand affair with both families involved.

In the 2016 sequel, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2", Meisler reprises her role as Yiayia, now known as Mana-Yiayia. The film focuses on Toula's life years after the events of the first movie, facing new challenges in her marriage and family life.

The character of Yiayia, portrayed by Bess Meisler, adds a layer of humour and warmth to the story, capturing the essence of a loving yet meddlesome Greek family.

Frequently asked questions