I'd been raised by my parents who taught me not to think you're better than you are.

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.

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.

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

Sometimes if something scares me, I lean right into it . I’m not a brave person— I’m more of a fearless idiot.

If the standard route for creating a family had worked for me, I wouldn't have met this child. I needed to know her. I needed to be her mother. She is, in every way my daughter.

And (cue music swell) motherhood turned out to be the most meaningful thing I've ever done with my life. Really.