I had worked for ten years in theater; I had worked at Second City in Chicago. Then I got to Hollywood, and I was like, naively, 'Where's my pilot?'

I think it's almost easier to do a kissing scene with someone you don't know.

It was a sad process for me to become a mom, and a long process. I felt so embarrassed that I couldn't have a biological child.

I believe that there are moments in everyone's lives where a door flings open, and if you're terrified of what's on the other side, you must walk through it.

I grew up looking for myself onscreen and never could find myself. And I believe that I am supposed to be Toula to show people that it's O.K. to be different.

I've had designers say to my face, 'Oh, I want to dress you now that you're skinny.' And that's really rude.

There's a feeling sometimes in motherhood that you're alone in what you're going through, and none of us are alone. We're all going through the same thing.

We live in an unsafe world.

On November 15th, 2008, in over 300 cities, 4,000 children were adopted in one day.

My daughter is a preschooler but I have only known her for a while. She is adopted.

I thought I was attractive when I shot 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding.' Studio executives and movie reviewers let me know I had a confidence in my looks that was not shared by them.

I think our skin clears up and we're nicer when you are in love.

I don't card out my screenplays ever. I just have an idea I just sit down and write I don't edit.

What I wish I had, is that I wish I was a little more Greek, in that I wish I could lose my North American driven attitude and that I could be a little bit more poetic and laissez faire.

I don't work that much because I am selective.

I was a very studious student and usually got A's. I did not like school, because I wasn't popular - I was a nerd.

The white hot publicity that came from 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' was appreciated but not sought, so I was happy to walk away from it and then write.

When I write something, I constantly rewrite.

The candid and honest and pure heartedness of children has strengthened my views that we are all equal and should be afforded the basic human rights that we all deserve.

I have found that every family has a strange remedy for any situation - from 'Use Fantastic to get the scuff off your patent leather shoes!' to 'Soak an aspirin in a glass of water to get rid of a migraine.'

Our daughter was not damaged or hurt in any way. She was simply relinquished to foster care by two people who were not ready to be parents. I admire them for giving her the chance for a better life. And I am grateful they gave my husband and me the opportunity to be parents.

Let's face it: Russell Crowe is fat and no one ever talks about it.

It's impossible for success to go to your head with a Greek mom - no way.

When I used to do musical theatre, my dad refused to come backstage. He never wanted to see the props up close or the sets up close. He didn't want to see the magic.