Tom Hanks Relationship with Rita Wilson has known each other for 40 years. Since they worked together on the set of the ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies. Because Hanks was already married to his college love Samantha Lewes. They started out as friends before going public with their romance in 1986.
After dating for two years, Hanks and Wilson tied the knot in 1988. Welcomed Chester “Chet” Hanks and Truman Theodore Hanks into the world. They have shared every major life event over the past 34 years, from helping each other through tough times to rejoicing in one other’s successes.
Here is a timeline depicting Hanks and Wilson’s charming romance, beginning with their time spent as friends and ending with their current anniversary as husband and wife of 34 years.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s First Meeting: Is in 1981
The first time Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson worked together was in 1981, on the set of Hanks’s ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies, which he had been starring in for two seasons. Wilson says he and Hanks became fast friends despite the fact that Wilson only starred in one episode and Hanks was married at the time.
Wilson told Kelly Clarkson in 2020 about her first impression of Tom Hanks: “One of the things, when we met, was that we simply got along instantaneously.” She started off by saying, “First of all, I adore a good storyteller.” “As a result, I’m cool with hanging out with anyone who has a knack for spinning a yarn. I can always count on him to make me smile. He has a wonderful way with words.”
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Made Their Debut Together: 1985
In 1985, for the film Volunteers, Hanks and Wilson worked together for the first time since their acclaimed collaboration in the film Forrest Gump. They played lovers in the film, and Hanks said afterward that he felt “immediate chemistry” between them.
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After he and Rita exchanged glances, Hanks told GQ, “kaboing,” the matter was settled. I inquired as to whether or not Rita was experiencing the real deal, and she confirmed that she was.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s Red Carpet Debut: December 1986
On December 10, 1986, at the Academy Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks attended the premiere of “Three Amigos.”
While attending the 1986 premiere of Three Amigos, Hanks and Wilson made their first public appearance together on the red carpet. It took some time for Hanks to start seeing Wilson after his split from Lewes, even though they were legally divorced in 1987.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Tie the Knot in April of 1988
Hanks wed Wilson in April 1988, in which she iconically sported an untraditional, short-length wedding dress. Time, maturity, and a desire for an intimate connection all played roles in the success of our relationship, Hanks told Oprah Winfrey.
“In the wake of my marriage to Rita, I realised, “I need to make some adjustments to my lifestyle.” I won’t say that fate didn’t have anything to do with us meeting, but our love isn’t a fairytale romance.”
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Have a Baby in August of 1990.
Hanks and Wilson had their first child together on August 4, 1990, just two years after they tied the wedding. His parents’ success in show business inspired him to follow in their footsteps and adopt the stage name Chester “Chet” Hanks.
Chet is not only a rapper but also an actor who has popped up on shows like Empire, Shameless, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Other film credits include Fantastic Four, Greyhound, and the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull sequel, in which he co-starred with his father.
Their Second Film Together, His Walk of Fame Ceremony: June 1992–1993.
When Tom Hanks was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 1992, Wilson was right there to show his support. Again on the big screen in 1993’s Sleepless in Seattle, Hanks and Wilson played siblings rather than lovers, in contrast to 1985’s Volunteers.
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In 1994, Sleepless in Seattle was nominated for two Academy Awards but ultimately came up short to the film Piano (1993) and the song “Streets of Philadelphia” (from another film starring Tom Hanks) respectively.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Have a Second Child Together: 1995
On December 26, 1995, Hanks and Wilson became parents to their second son. Truman Theodore Hanks is his name, and he, too, is a member of the entertainment industry, though he prefers to work behind the camera rather than onstage like his famous family.
Big Fat Greek Wedding: April 2002
Hanks and Wilson worked together again behind the camera for the romantic comedy film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which they starred in and co-produced in 2002.
Wilson made a brief appearance in the TV comedy My Big Fat Greek Life, which they also produced.
May 2012: Rita Wilson Has Spoken About Her Romance With Tom Hanks
Both Hanks and Wilson have spoken publicly about their affection for one another over the years, but it wasn’t until an interview with Piers Morgan in 2012 that Wilson revealed the most heartwarming memory she had with Hanks.
Wilson recalled the time she and her husband “were standing on the intersection of 57th and 5th in New York, or 58th and 5th,” and said she would never forget the moment. “When the light turned green, we waited patiently together in hand-in-hand.
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After a moment of silence, he glanced at me and said, “You know, I just want you to know, that you never have to change anything about who you are in order to be with me.” If love is an emotion or a physical phenomenon, then he is and always has been that. It was like a tsunami swept through me.”
Tom Hanks Helps Rita Wilson Out in April 2015
Wilson told PEOPLE in 2015 that her spouse had been supportive throughout her ordeal with breast cancer, which included a double mastectomy and reconstruction.
You never know how your partner is going to react in a circumstance like this,” Wilson told the New York Times. Who knew that the attention my spouse offered me would bring us closer together? Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are celebrating 30 years of marriage In April 2018, Hanks and Wilson celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a star-studded party. Guests included Oprah Winfrey, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Conan O’Brien, Martin Short, Isla Fisher, and Jimmy Kimmel.
Rita Wilson’s Walk of Fame Ceremony with Tom Hanks: 2019
On March 29, 2019, Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were in attendance as she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.
Not only did he enthusiastically applaud her from the audience, but he also joined her onstage to give a speech praising her many achievements. As the pandemic of COVID-19 began in March of 2020, Hanks and Wilson were there to support one other. Wilson speculated that harboring the virus at the same moment might have eased the process. Instead of feeling the burden of being the sole caregiver for a loved one with no one to help or appreciate that you need a break, “we were taking care of one other.”
Rita Wilson Throws a Centennial Birthday Party: July 2021
Wilson posted a touching birthday message to Hanks on Instagram in honor of his 65th. She shared a photo of her hubby riding a bike along a beautiful trail, smiling ear to ear. She captioned the photo, “Riding into 65 better than ever!” “My heartfelt birthday wishes to the one I love the most.”
Tom Hanks Promotes Rita Wilson and Josh Groban’s Duet on a New Track on June 21, 2022
Hanks has shown his support for his wife and her musical career by accompanying Wilson on her publicity tour for Elvis. To promote what Hanks calls Wilson’s “hit record,” he has made his “triumphant return” to social media. As a musician in her own right, the actress has just released a cover of “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac, with guest vocals by Josh Groban.