John Stamos and Maria Menounos Nearly Dated Thanks to Nia Vardalos! How Their Big Fat Greek Date Went Wrong

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: John Stamos and Maria Menounos.Photo:Getty(2)

Getty(2)

John Stamosnearly had a big fat Greek wedding of his own!

During an appearance onLive with Kelly and Markon Thursday, Aug. 8, the actor opened up toMark Consuelosabout his longtime friendship with guest-hostMaria Menounos, revealing that he initially thought romance was in the cards for them.

It’s the first time Stamos admitted that to a surprised Menounos, telling her, “I have a funny story about you I don’t think you know about.”

Turns out, he first heard about Menounos through mutual friendNia Vardalos, the scribe and star of the hit franchise,My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Nia Vardalos in December 2023.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

“This was many, many years ago,” said Stamos, 60, explaining it was before he knew Menounos, 46. “[Nia] says, ‘You got to meet my friend Maria…. She’s beautiful, she’s smart, she’s Greek. And I’m going to set you up with her.’ “

Stamos was enthusiastic, giving Vardalos, 61, the go-ahead. But when Menounos showed up to a group dinner Vardalos had arranged, theFull Houseactor quickly learned it wasn’t going to work out.

“We all go to dinner — me, Nia, our friend Neil. We get there early. And Maria walks in… with her boyfriend Keven," Stamos recalled. “She says, ‘Hi everybody, this is my boyfriend!’“

But Undergaro’s appearance threw Stamos for a loop. “We were like, ‘What? This is a fix up!’ he said. “We kicked each other under the table so hard.”

Menounos was shocked hearing the story. “I never knew this,” she said. “I know we went to dinner but Nia didn’t tell me anything.”

“Wow, we could have been…” she joked. “My dad is here and he did want me to marry a Greek. And I think you’re the ultimate Greek…”

John Stamos and Maria Menounos in 2005.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Stamos has since settled down himself, marrying wife,Caitlin McHughin February 2018 — two months before they welcomed their son,Billy. But, the actor later shared that his affection for Menounos as a friend hasn’t wained.

“I’ve known you now for what, almost 15 years now? And I want say, I’m very proud of you,” he told her. “The way you conduct yourself is amazing. You’re a good Greek American. You’re a good mother. You’re great on the show. I mean it, and I am proud of you.”

“Oh my God, that means so much to me. Thank you,” she said afterwards. “That made me cry.”

John Stamos (right) performing with Mike Love of The Beach Boys in October 2020.Daniel Knighton/Getty

Daniel Knighton/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Elsewhere onLive, Stamos talked about his ongoing tour with The Beach Boys, his affection forFull Houseand promoted his role oppositeKerry Washingtonand Delroy Lindo in Hulu’sUnPrisoned.

“They just let me play,” Stamos said. “I’m at a point in my career where, for awhile now I got back to just being fearless and not watching myself and thinking about myself.”

Season 2 ofUnPrisonedis streaming now on Hulu.Live with Kelly and Markairs weekdays in syndication (check local listings).

source: people.com