Zach Galifianakis, Mena Suvari, John Stamos, Rita Wilson, Jennifer Aniston

“IYMI” Celebrity Edition

IYMI: the abbreviation for “In case You Missed It.” It’s a new year, but this month we turn our attention to five celebrities of Greek descent and their high notes of 2016… in case you missed any of it ;)

• Zach Galifianakis: 2016 brought the successful dark comedy Baskets to television network FX. Comedic actor Zach Galifianakis stars in the show, as well as executive produced (and co-created) it with fellow comedian Louis C.K. Galifianakis stars in two leading roles in the show: Chip and Dale Baskets, twin brothers living in Bakersfield, CA. The show focuses on Chip pursuing a career as a rodeo clown after having been rejected at a prestigious clown school in Paris. Up next for Galifianakis, voicing The Joker in the family feature film The Lego Batman Movie which premiered in early 2017.

• Mena Suvari: Actress Mena Suvari has led a full and busy career on the big screen. Most recently she was in I’ll Be Home for Christmas with James Brolin, which aired on The Hallmark Channel during their holiday movie lineup. This last year saw Suvari casted in the upcoming television series American Woman. The series is currently in production, which is inspired by the life of actress Kyle Richards and her childhood in Hollywood. American Woman is expected to debut sometime in 2017 on the TV Land network. Fun fact: Suvari co-starred in the film Rumor Has It with fellow Greek Jennifer Aniston! Follow her on Instagram @mena13suvari

• John Stamos: Pun intended, 2016 was a “Full House” for John Stamos. He appeared in the Netflix hit Fuller House, a sequel to the popular sitcom Full House in which he stars as Uncle Jesse Katsopolis. Stamos also had a cameo role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 and was on Fox’s popular horror comedy show Scream Queens. As many know, Stamos is always proud to talk about his Greek heritage. In early 2017, Stamos’ online Instagram followers were treated to photos from his trip to Greece. Adding to the sentiment, he spent his name day there (January 7). Posting a photo of himself by the Parthenon with the following caption, “#Homeland #Nameday #Yanni.” Love! Follow him on Instagram or Twitter @johnstamos

• Rita Wilson: With Stamos, Rita Wilson had a cameo appearance in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 as well. Wilson played Stamos’ wife Anna in the hit sequel. Playing another role along with Anna, Wilson also served as one of the three producers for MBFGW2. In 2016 also brought the film Brother Nature to Wilson, a comedy with a Saturday Night Live heavy cast and production crew, including the actors/actresses, writers, director, and producer (Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of SNL). On a musical note, Wilson also released her second album, the self-titled Rita Wilson. The album includes self-penned tunes and is available on iTunes. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ritawilson

• Jennifer Aniston: Down to earth and mega-talented, Jennifer Aniston shines in front of the camera – be it when she is playing a role or giving an interview, inspiring others to embrace their true self. This internal beauty no doubt enhances her external. In 2016, Aniston was voted yet again as People Magazine’s “The Most Beautiful Woman” (prior to 2016, she held the title in 2011). On screen this last year, she starred in Mother’s Day, Storks, and Office Christmas Party. A dedicated philanthropist to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, in early 2016 she was honored by smartwater (of the CocaCola Company), for her dedication to the Hospital and her promoting the missions of the Hospital to the public.