Bess Meisler
Bess Meisler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bessie Alalouf July 19, 1922 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1980–2016 |
| Known for | Nana Yiayia in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise (2002-2016) |
| Spouse |
Seymour Meisler
(m. 1943; div. 1962) |
| Children | 1 |
Bess Meisler (born July 19, 1922) is an American actress best known for her role as Yiayia in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding film series.[1] Starting her screen career at the age of 65, Meisler has become a notable figure for her comedic timing and portrayals of elderly characters in both film and television.[2]
Early life
[edit]Meisler was born on July 19, 1922, in New York as Bessie Alalouf. Her parents were both immigrant Greek Jews.[3] Her parents were Avraam[4] and Perla Alalouf[5] who were fruit dealers. She had two other siblings, a brother named Emmanuel who died in 1998[6] and a sister named Esther who died in 1987.[7]
Her passion for acting led her to the theater, where she made her Broadway debut in 1981 in the revival of Fiddler on the Roof.[8][9] In this production, she served as a swing actor, covering roles such as Shandel, and understudying for characters like Golde and Yente.[10][11]
Career
[edit]Meisler transitioned to on-screen acting in 1987, making her television debut at the age of 65 in the series Hunter, where she portrayed Mrs. Petelli. She continued to take on minor roles in television throughout the 1990s, including appearances in Flying Blind and Beverly Hills, 90210.[12]
Her breakthrough came in 2002 with the role of Yiayia, the eccentric grandmother in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.[13] The film's success brought her widespread recognition. She reprised this role in the sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, released in 2016.[14] In addition, Meisler appeared in films such as Daddy Day Care (2003),[15] Room 6 (2006), and The Perfect Family (2011).[citation needed] Her television credits include guest roles in Malcolm in the Middle, The Comeback, and Eagleheart.[16]
Personal life
[edit]Meisler married Seymour Meisler, an Ashkenazi Jew, in 1943 until their divorce in 1962. They had a daughter named Phyllis who is residing with her mother in Southern California.[17]
Filmography
[edit]- My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) - Grandother Yiayia
- The Perfect Family (2011) - Greta Russert
- Eagleheart (2011) - Evelyn
- A Kiss at Midnight (2008) - Mrs. Moskovitz
- The Memory Thief (2007) - Joanna Kaufman
- Room 6 (2006) - Ellen
- Jake in Progress (2006) - Barbara
- The Comeback (2005)
- Malcolm in the Middle (2005) - Gorga
- Becker (2003)
- Daddy Day Care (2003) - Old Gypsy Woman
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) - Grandmother Yiayia
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1998) - Rose Zuckerman
- Flying Blind (1992) - Grandma
- Hunter (1987–1990) - Mrs. Petelli/Unger's Maid
References
[edit]- ^ rebeccadeniston (2022-01-21). "Bigger Fatter, And More Greek". Taking Up Room. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "How My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 pays tribute to Michael Constantine". Digital Spy. 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Lainie Kazan, Bess Meisler and Seymour Meisler | Tampa JCCs and Federation". www.jewishtampa.com. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Family tree of Avram Albert Alalouf Elalauf Attias". Geneanet. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Family tree of Perla Pearl Matalon Shaloum Alalouf". Geneanet. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Obituaries for October 20, 1998". Las Vegas Sun. 1998-10-20. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Family tree of Esther Allaluf Sulam". Geneanet. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ Bess Meisler
- ^ Stewart, John (2012-11-22). Broadway Musicals, 1943-2004. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-0329-2.
- ^ "Bess Meisler – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ Wilson, Lee (2024-08-20). I Danced on Broadway: Memoir of a Career on Stage. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-5423-2.
- ^ Chance, Norman (2010-12-23). Who Was Who on TV. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-4568-2129-6.
- ^ "'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' cast: Where are they now?". EW.com. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ Malik, Aleena (2023-09-10). "4 Characters Missing From My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ Willis, John A. (2005). Screen World. Crown Publishers.
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (2018-01-14). Encyclopedia of Television Shows: A Comprehensive Supplement, 2011-2016. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-3094-6.
- ^ "Jews in the News | Tampa JCCs and Federation". www.jewishtampa.com. Retrieved 2025-06-22.