Local actor stars in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

You've probably seen North Bay native Gerry Mendicino in lots of stuff, he's been at it for 40 years. 

But the veteran actor admits his role as Uncle Taki in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1 & 2 is the high point of his long career and he was excited to reprise the role and stroll down memory lane.

"It was almost 15 years since we last got together," he told BayToday. "There was always talk of having the second one but I almost gave up hope.

"When we all got back together we were shooting at the same locations, same studio and all the same people so it was very exciting to get back together. It's just been a wonderful ride."

He says viewers will see a lot more of what made the first movie so enjoyable.

"I found the second one quite emotional myself, even more so that the first one. It has the laughs but I found it even had a lot of sentimentality that I enjoyed. If it does well hopefully we'll have a third one. I'm a forever optimist."

Mendicino feels he was made for the role and felt at ease right away.

"I just found when I auditioned for the character I felt comfortable with him. I understood the character and I think that came across to help get the role in the first place."

Mendicino started his career on the children's show Polka Dot Door, and the popular TV series King of Kensington but admits Wedding is by far the biggest thing to happen.

"It's movies like Greek Wedding that are using mature actors more," says the 66 year old. "Most of the things you see on television are action films. But it's nice to see them using seniors as lead actors in a successful movie.

"I do more theatre these days because that's where the good characters are for actors my age, but I'm still doing a little bit of everything, some voice work and television and film. It helps pay the bills."

He still visits North Bay often and is happy to see the film industry growing locally.

"I'd love to come and shoot up there, it's just the right role hasn't come along yet."

Mendicino says he noticed as far back as 10 years ago that movie companies were eyeing the north.

"Aside from the tax incentives there is the arts community up there, the third largest in Ontario so they certainly have the talent, the crews, the beautiful settings and they have people that are enthusiastic about having movies up there and supporting the films so it makes a big difference."

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is presently playing in North Bay at Galaxy Cinemas in the North Bay Mall.

Log on to Gerry's web-site at www.gerrymendicino.com