She was an actor whose journey to the spotlight took time—her career didn’t really take off until the 1980s. Even then, she mostly stayed rooted in theater, bringing her talent to the stage while making only occasional appearances on television. It wasn’t until 2002 that everything changed for her, thanks to the wildly successful My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In that raucous and heartwarming romantic comedy, she stole scenes as the endearing, slightly bewildered but always lively grandmother of the main character, portrayed by Nia Vardalos. Her performance was full of physical comedy gold, and audiences couldn’t get enough.

After that breakout role, her visibility grew. She began landing small but memorable parts, like a guest spot on the popular sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, and a quirky role on HBO’s underrated gem The Comeback, which starred Lisa Kudrow. People started to notice her more—how could they not? She brought such charm and authenticity to every scene she was in.

But here’s the thing: she didn’t start acting on screen until 1987, when she was already 65 years old. That’s pretty remarkable, especially in an industry that often overlooks women, particularly at that age. Her very first screen role came on the TV show Hunter, where she played a character named Mrs. Patelli. From there, she quietly built a career without ever seeking the limelight off-camera.

Despite her growing presence on screen, she managed to keep her personal life completely under wraps. There’s almost nothing known about her family or private affairs. She lived her life with quiet dignity, letting her work speak for itself. And honestly, that kind of grace is rare. She may have come into fame later in life, but once she arrived, she made quite the impression.