Best known, at least
as of late, as Maria Portokalos in the monster hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, singer-actress Lainie Kazan is also an
accomplished singer, a Tony nominee (for My
Favorite Year), a Golden Globe nominee (also for My Favorite Year), an Emmy nominee (for St. Elsewhere), and Barbra Streisand’s understudy in the original
Broadway production of Funny Girl.
Tired of always being a bridesmaid, Kazan comes to Rochester to receive the
High Falls Film Festival’s “Failure is Impossible” award. Will she pull a Pam
Grier and leave her groom at the altar? Read on to find out.
City: “Greek Wedding”… what the hell? Did anybody see that
coming?
           Kazan: I didn’t, certainly. We made a little movie for a little bit of money, had a
great time and never expected this. Never ever in a million years.
           City: How did you get involved in the film?
           Kazan: About three years ago I was called by my agent, who said Tom Hanks called and
wanted to do a table reading of a movie a young woman wrote, and would I be
interested in reading it. So I went and read the piece, and had a great time
and a great breakfast. Tom Hanks said to me, “If we ever do this movie,
we’ll call you,” and I said, “Yeah, sure,” never suspecting they
would even call me. I got a call about a year and a half after that. The
screenplay was written and they wanted me to play the mother, and I took the
job.
           We went to Toronto, had a phenomenal
time, and thought the film would maybe end up in a couple of art theatres. We
had a huge gala opening and the movie kept growing and growing, and it’s been
out since April now. I’m just thrilled. I couldn’t be happier, and now we’re
doing a series.
           City: So at best,
you hoped to get a free breakfast out of this, and now, $150 million and a
television series later…
           Kazan: Isn’t it phenomenal? I’m so thrilled.
           City: You’re going
to be involved in the series?
           Kazan: I am. We’re doing a series for CBS.
           City: Who else is
coming back to do the series?
           Kazan: Nia, myself, Michael Constantine, Andrea Martin, Gia Carides, and Louie
Mandylor. Almost everybody. And I think Joey Fatone is even going to do a
couple of guest spots.
           City:Is there any talk of
doing a theatrical sequel?
           Kazan: Probably, but not right away because Nia is really concerned about the
television show.
           City: That seems
like it would be a very fun role to play.
           Kazan: Oh, I loved it. Most people think I’m Greek, and I’m not Greek at all. So it
was a challenge to get that Greek accent down. Once I got it down, it just
rolled off my tongue. The rest was just a piece of cake. It was great fun, and
to work with Nia — she is such a delight. I just can’t tell you how bright
and warm and wonderful she is.
           City: I know it’s kind of early, but what do you
think of the Oscar buzz you and the film are getting?
           Kazan: It would be really sweet, but I’m not even thinking like that. Everybody tells
me, “You should be nominated for Best Supporting Actress,” but I
don’t know. That would definitely be a gift.
           City: The award
you’re receiving from the festival was given to Pam Grier last year, but she
canceled at the last minute. You’re not going to stiff us, are you?
           Kazan: I’m not going to stiff you. That’s awful. I’ll be there.
Lainie Kazan, recipient of this year’s “Failure is
Impossible” award, appears Saturday, November 2 at 3:30 p.m. at the Dryden
Theatre as part of the High Falls Film Festival. Tickets for Lainie Kazan in Conversation with Jack
Garner are $5 and available through Ticket Express (in person only at 100
East Avenue), or at the Dryden one hour before the event begins.
This article appears in Oct 23-29, 2002.
