You’ve Got Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s Epic Love Story

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Behind every national treasure is a real gem.

Tom Hanks himself would acknowledge that his wife, Rita Wilson, shines brightest in this endeavor. A love story that’s lasted over three decades, it keeps hearts in Hollywood and far beyond from feeling chilly and cynical.

“I’m a lucky man,” Hanks told TopMob News in 2016. “She could’ve done better.”

Well-played, sir.

Just before celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary last year, Hanks shared with TopMob that the secret to their longevity lies in discovering one another.

Tom Hanks hinted at a secret behind their longevity during interviews, playfully saying “We found it and we won’t share it with you,” while talking to Fox News Digital at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Gala in 2013. However, he jokingly proposed selling the secret separately for an astounding $17 billion.

In case you’re a little short this month, we’ll do our best to fill you in.

In a heartfelt conversation with Oprah Winfrey back in 2001, I shared that my relationship with my wife transcends traditional labels such as wife or girlfriend. It extends far beyond the boundaries of words. To illustrate, during the filming of Philadelphia, it was Rita’s presence and our bond that allowed me to bring depth to my character’s feelings towards his lover. This connection echoed through my portrayal of Forrest Gump, who deeply loved Jenny. I can’t help but wonder how I would have connected with Forrest’s experiences without the profound relationship I share with Rita.

So it turns out life with Hanks is like a box of chocolates: Sweet.

In 2016, Wilson, aged 68, shared with People that at times they would simply chat on the couch, or engage in similar activities…and surprisingly, he rarely needs to ask for it. “He always returns the favor by giving me foot and back rubs,” Wilson added, “he’s just a really cool guy.

On January 5th, 2020, Hanks, who celebrates his 69th birthday on July 9, was presented with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes for his outstanding career accomplishments. This recognition left him visibly emotional.

He remarked, “I’m incredibly fortunate to have my family right in front of me. My extraordinary wife has shown me the true meaning of love… My five kids are braver, stronger, and wiser than I could ever be, and I’m surrounded by a wonderful group of people who have patiently endured my long absences. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. It’s hard to express how deeply your love impacts me.

Approximately two months afterward, the pair’s simultaneous COVID-19 confirmations in Australia (where Hanks was working on the film “Elvis”), essentially signaled the beginning of the pandemic’s spread within Hollywood and far beyond.

31 years after Tom Hanks won his best actor award for a motion picture, musical or comedy, he made the same stage echo with laughter and emotion when he mentioned his wife, Rita Wilson, during his speech. “I married a Greek beauty,” he joyfully declared, “She was born in California, but her parents are wonderful, she’s amazing. Rita, thank you for marrying me. You’ve already made my year.

As a devoted devotee, I’ve been fortunate enough to have sons like Chet Hanks, aged 34, and Truman Hanks, at 29. We’ve collaborated creatively, graced countless red carpets together, miles long, and stood by each other through the ups and downs life throws our way – in good health and poor, clean-shaven or sporting bushy white beards. Through it all, we’ve served as a living testament of what it takes to thrive in Hollywood.

In 1972, Hanks fell for Wilson when he saw her as a cheerleader on “The Brady Bunch” for the first time. However, it wasn’t until 1981 that they actually met each other in person. This encounter took place when Wilson starred in an episode of Hanks’ brief-lived sitcom “Bosom Buddies,” a show about two advertising professionals who disguised themselves as women to live in a female-only apartment building due to the scarcity of affordable housing for men.

At that point, the actor was both a young husband and father, having married his college sweetheart Samantha Lewes since 1978. Their first child, Colin Hanks, was born in 1977, while their second child, Elizabeth Anne “E.A.” Hanks, joined them in 1982.

A few years after their initial meeting, destiny reunited Wilson and Hanks on the set of the 1985 comedy “Volunteers”. Fresh off his breakthrough role in “Splash”, Hanks was quickly rising to stardom as a prominent romantic comedy star during the 1980s and 1990s.

Back in 2015, when our eyes first met, it was as if we both thought, “Ah, here’s where I belong!” That’s how I felt at least. In simpler terms, our union seems to have been built on the correct foundations. He shared this sentiment with Entertainment Tonight.

Moral of the story: Not even Hanks had it all figured out at 29.

As a young adult, I found myself becoming a parent at the tender age of 21, welcoming my son Colin into the world. Four and a half years later, my daughter Elizabeth joined our family. At that point, I believed I was following the natural rhythm of life’s events. Reflecting on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2016, I realized that my early marriage was largely due to the unstable upbringing I experienced, with constant changes in my family dynamics as my parents remarried and step-siblings came and went. To combat feelings of loneliness, I made a conscious effort to keep myself occupied.

“I do not have deep roots,” he told GQ in 1988.

As a devoted dad of two little ones, I wasn’t the type who indulged in recreational marijuana or dabbled in drugs. I wasn’t your typical partygoer, nor did I overindulge in alcohol. Instead, you’d find me hitting the hay at 10:10 every night. I was a rule-abiding person and never strayed from the established norms. However, as I approached my late twenties, I began to understand which opportunities to seize – and that’s when I met someone extraordinary. It was like they ‘got me,’ and we clicked immediately!

By the close of 1986, he and Wilson had become a couple; his divorce from Lewes was legally concluded in early 1987. On the 30th of April, 1988, Hanks and Wilson tied the knot.

It occurred to him at the time, “I don’t think I’m ever going to be lonely anymore.”

In 2012, Wilson told Piers Morgan, “I’ll always remember it – we were standing on the corner of either 57th and 5th or 58th and 5th in New York City. We were holding hands, waiting for the traffic light to turn green. And he turned to me and said, ‘Just so you know, there’s no need for you to change who you are to be with me.’

She stated, ‘A wave of affection, whether it’s an emotion or a physical response within you, swept over me. That’s essentially who he is, and the way he has been.’

But Hanks has admitted that it probably wouldn’t have worked out if they got together any earlier.

He shared with Winfrey in 2001 that the success of our relationship was a blend of timing, personal growth, and commitment to a deep connection. When I married Rita, I realized change would be necessary on my part. While it’s true that luck played a role in us meeting, our relationship isn’t like what you see in movies – it’s real and tangible, just as I am now. Of course, marriage can feel like a challenging journey at times, but we both understand that no matter the difficulties, we’ll face them together and come out stronger on the other side.

As a lifestyle guide, I’d rephrase that as follows: “When it comes to managing life’s challenges, my marriage has a solid, organic base that feels utterly essential to me. At this stage, I find it hard to envision anything different.

From the outset, they’ve been inseparable, he continued. Our laughter hasn’t diminished one bit even at odd hours like 2 am. On the contrary, our disagreements are becoming fewer and far between.

In 2013, he jokingly told Ellen DeGeneres, “I don’t usually fawn over audiences, but the only topic we disagree on is who shows affection more deeply.

Let’s just say, it’s impossible to pick a side in this fight.

At the 1994 Oscars where he won Best Actor for Philadelphia, Hanks’ immediate action was to give Wilson a hearty kiss.

He started his speech by saying, “This is what I’ve learned: I couldn’t be up here without the unwavering love described in Neil Young’s song, and I have that kind of love from someone who is almost perfect – a love that we all should be able to feel and enjoy right here on earth.

In 1995, he resumed his role once more for “Forrest Gump”, sharing affectionate double kisses with Wilson and expressing to the audience that among the reasons he was there, “the woman I live with continually educates me and shows me, day by day, what love truly means.

When asked about the emotional impact of his speech, he shared with Oprah that while others might fake such feelings, for him they are genuine. What sets him apart is his openness in expressing these emotions. Many would shy away from what they perceive as corny award-show speeches, but he embraces it. He often jests that his speeches are intimate moments that unfold on a global stage before billions of viewers.

Beyond their public displays of affection, Hanks and Wilson must handle the practicalities of marriage, which occur privately.

In their 40th year as a couple, they continue to prioritize small gestures like going out on dates (either to prestigious events like the Oscars or local museums), taking vacations (perhaps with Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen, and the Obamas), and video calling when work obligations force them apart. According to Hanks on The Bill Simmons Podcast, one of his most cherished filmmaking experiences was working on A League of Their Own because he got to bring his entire family along that summer.

Whenever possible, they travel by road as a pair. In 2016, when Wilson embarked on tour with her band, she needed a larger bed on the tour bus since her spouse chose to tag along.

Wilson shared with TopMob News during the October 2016 premiere of Inferno, “We have an amazing time! Traveling to different locations is such a fantastic experience. We’ve journeyed across the globe, bringing our family along. It’s been a treat to live in cities we wouldn’t normally reside in and blend in with the locals. We’ve found our favorite spots for coffee and shopping as if we were permanent residents. The anonymity is liberating – there’s no need to rush.

times it can be quite challenging to strike a balance between maintaining a sense of normalcy and standing as beacons for all that’s good and just worldwide, especially for someone like me who is deeply invested.

Inquired about their arrangements for her upcoming birthday, Wilson informed TopMob, “Well, that’s something private, we don’t really discuss those details.

Tom Hanks stated, “No more surprises,” he inserted. “It’s necessary to keep the sanctuary in order every now and then. The inner sanctum is off-limits to everyone, if you catch my drift.” In 2017, Hanks also referred to their 29th anniversary plans as “classified secrets that will ignite the world.

In 2016, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson successfully obtained an uncommon public apology from the National Enquirer after the tabloid incorrectly claimed they were getting divorced. On occasion, one of Hanks’ children may make news headlines.

In more everyday terms, they don’t reveal much about themselves except for a few anecdotes that are suitable for job interviews and the occasional family photo on Instagram. However, they generally prefer to keep their personal lives private, with exceptions like Hanks posting graphic images of his bursitis treatment.

In 2015, Wilson bravely disclosed that she had undergone a double mastectomy followed by reconstruction, having been diagnosed with breast cancer and venturing beyond her usual comfort zone to do so.

In an interview with the New York Times, the actress from Now and Then openly confessed that disclosing such intimate details of her personal life was challenging, yet she believed it essential to tell her story, hoping it might offer support to other women.

She mentioned that her work requires her to be in public, but she doesn’t feel compelled to share every detail of her life such as thoughts and dining spots with the general public. She has always preferred to stay at the edge of events or situations.

During her treatment period, Wilson stayed at home in Malibu with Hanks, watching the Oscar nominee films for their catch-up.

I never imagined it could bring us even closer, but boy, was I wrong!” I exclaimed, taken aback. “In moments like these, you truly never know how your partner will respond. But wow, the affection my husband showed me left me speechless. It was just a regular, intimate moment that touched my heart deeply.

Recalling his wife’s struggle in 2016, Hanks expressed to The Mirror, “I can only pay tribute to the bravery displayed by my incredible wife.

A key characteristic of their bond is the unwavering support that Hanks offers Wilson in every one of her ventures, whether it’s her acting, music, or charitable work.

In his interview with Emma Watson for Esquire in 2016, Hanks stated that neither his wife nor daughter limit themselves to being defined solely by men in their lives. He explained that he learns from the women he works with and finds inspiration in them because they offer unique perspectives on various topics. His support for these women, as well as for any man or his sons, has always been consistent.

In the end, they both have a strong affection for each other, and truly cherish their marriage.

Tom Hanks shared with The Mirror that people often comment about the difficulty of staying married in show business, to which he replied, “I believe it’s challenging to stay married anywhere, but if you find the right partner, it can work. We provide mutual encouragement for each other’s endeavors, and our marriage doesn’t demand much effort. We’ve been married for 28 years and genuinely enjoy being with each other.

During her Hollywood Walk of Fame induction in 2019, when her husband praised her talent, Wilson expressed to Us Weekly, “A relationship is like any other thing. We got married, made a commitment to one another, we cherish each other, and we put effort into maintaining it.

She also mentioned that not only are we fond of each other, but we genuinely enjoy one another’s company, offer mutual support, and maintain open lines of communication. This is something that’s essential at all times.

Check out Hanks and Wilson’s four-decade love affair in photos:

The twosome couldn’t hide their joy upon reaching the crimson carpet for the premiere of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” where Rita Wilson took on the role of executive producer.

Tom Hanks ensured his presence on the red carpet to back his wife’s movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” where she also held the role of executive producer.

With such enthusiasm, the actor from Forrest Gump tightly embraced his wife after her show at 54 Below in New York City.

In the premiere of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” Tom was there, walking the red carpet alongside Rita who played a key role as one of the film’s executive producers.

At the Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer event in Los Angeles, California, the pair was stunning while they were present.

During an interview with Piers Morgan in 2013, Tom expressed, “Upon meeting Rita, I realized, ‘This is what marriage feels like – it should be effortless and joyful.’

The couple shared a look of love as Rita accepted her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Without a doubt, it can be assumed that on the most significant day of their lives, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks stood as each other’s greatest supporters during their wedding in 1988.

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2025-07-09 15:17