Divorces in Hollywood can be ugly and contentious, but some couples prove it does not always have to be like that. Just look at Nia Vardalos and her ex husband, Ian Gomez. 

The former couple shot to fame after starring in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a charming love story inspired by their own.

They first met while Vardalos was in Chicago at The Second City, an improv comedy troupe. She had moved there from Canada after receiving a two-year work permit. 

According to the actress, her former husband had already told a guy from Vardalos’ cast that he would marry her. And just as he prophesied, they married in 1995, adopting a daughter, Ilaria Vardalos Gomez, in 2008.

After almost 25 years of marriage, the couple filed for divorce in July 2018, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. 

Nia Vardalos and Ex Husband's Relationship after Divorce

In a joint statement by the couple, they claimed they had ended things amicably and asked for privacy. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nia Vardalos (@niavardalos)

They shared that they had been separated for a long time, and according to documents, the date of separation was listed as June 29, 2017.

“Our relationship became a friendship, so the decision to end the marriage is completely mutual and amicable. We hope that decency will prevail in the reporting of this story, which will soon be yesterday’s news,” the statement read.

The couple ended their statement by thanking everyone for respecting their privacy. According to the outlet, Gomez asked for joint legal and physical custody of their daughter and spousal support “be determined in mediation.”

The couple settled their divorce just two months after filing, showing they were friends and would continue to be so. 

They Won't Mind Collaborating Again

In 2019, Vardalos’ former husband revealed to Us Weekly that not only did the ex-es get along great, but they might collaborate on another My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie.

Nia Vardalos and her husband celebrating his birthday

Nia Vardalos and her husband celebrating his birthday. (Source: Instagram)

The My Big Fat Greek Wedding star alluded that the third installment of the famous comedy franchise was in the works. “She has an idea for it. I can’t tell you what that idea is. But I know the cast would all be into it. We’ll see. It’s a very good one, and it’s pretty fleshed out,” Gomez told the outlet at the Richard Jewell AFI Fest premiere in Hollywood.

He added he would “absolutely” be up for collaborating again. But it was undecided what role he would play in the third film. 

The actor revealed that his ex wife had asked him about what he was thinking of doing in the third movie. He was unsure, but he knew it would have to differ completely from a school teacher or cop and be something bizarre. 

So far, the movie’s plot has not been revealed, but on June 21, 2022, Vardalos announced on Instagram that filming was taking place in Greece.