There’s a lot to admire about one of Hollywood’s favorite couples, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. The actors have been married for 30 years, and in that time, they’ve become one of the most endearing, affable couples in Tinsel Town and have never been shy about discussing how they make their relationship last in their line of work. Their romance has captivated us, their devotion has enthralled us, and through all their time spent together, their relationship has remained scandal-free and steeped in a deep love and respect for one another.
Hanks and Wilson have acted with one another in films like Volunteers, Sleepless in Seattle and Larry Crowne. They’ve been stellar parents, raising two kids of their own (Chet and Truman Hanks) as well as Hanks’ two kids from his first marriage (Colin and Elizabeth Hanks). They’ve built stellar careers, and they’ve always supported one another with every new career high they’ve hit.
There’s a lot to love about this couple, so we’re celebrating their 30th anniversary by watching their romance unfold from the very beginning.
An Everlasting Romance Begins With Friendship
While working on the 1985 film Volunteers, Hanks was immediately drawn to Wilson. As he told GQ, "Rita and I just looked at each other and — ka-boing — that was that. I asked Rita if it was the real thing for her, and it just couldn’t be denied."
A ‘Dragnet’ Date Night
Two years into their romance, Wilson accompanied Hanks in what would be the first of many, many red carpet appearances, this time for the premiere of his 1987 film Dragnet.
A Beautiful Couple, Just Married
Hanks and Wilson looked over the moon with happiness during their wedding in 1988, just three years after they met (when you know, you know, right?). Thirty years later, Hanks reflected on his marriage to Wilson for People magazine, saying, "They say it must be hard work. No, it’s not. Every now and again, you know, you gotta get over some stuff, but life is one damn thing after another and it’s actually more pleasant to be able to go home with someone you like to spend time with in order to get with it."
Cementing Tom Hanks’ Star Status Together
Wilson was right by Hanks' side when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 1992.
An Oscar-Winning Couple
Hanks and Wilson donned sultrier attire than we're used to seeing them wear when they arrived at the Shrine Auditorium for the 65th Academy Awards. Hanks was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Philadelphia.
‘Sleepless in Seattle’ Costars
Hanks and Wilson once again found themselves acting opposite each other in 1993's Sleepless in Seattle. Hanks may have ended up with frequent rom-com love interest Meg Ryan in the film, but he happily went home to Wilson each night after filming.
Basking in Tom Hanks’ Oscars Glory
Hanks won big in 1995 for his performance in Forrest Gump. That year, Hanks said this about Wilson while chatting with Oprah Winfrey about his win: "I view my wife as my lover, and we have a bond that goes beyond words like wife or girlfriend or mother… Without my connection with Rita, I don’t know how I would’ve been able to connect with what Forrest [Gump] was going through."
Celebrating Tom Hanks the Director
Hanks made his directorial debut with the 1996 film That Thing You Do! and Wilson was right by his side, supporting and celebrating him all the way, during the Los Angeles premiere.
A Dazzling Emmys Couple
The couple couldn't have looked sharper than when they arrived on the red carpet at the 1998 Emmys.
The Happy Couple Circa ‘Castaway’
Hanks was sporting the beard that he had grown for what would become a much-lauded performance in Castaway, but nevertheless, he and Wilson made a handsome couple while attending the Cedars Sinai Woman of Courage Awards.
A Little Red Carpet PDA
Seeing Hanks and Wilson looking so loved-up on the red carpet at the 13th Annual BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards is enough to warm your heart, but for extra warm fuzzies, read what he said to her out of the blue one day. Wilson recalled while chatting with Piers Morgan in 2012, "I'll never forget, we were standing on the corner of 57th and Fifth in New York, or 58th and Fifth. We were holding hands, and we were waiting for the traffic light to change. And he looked at me and he 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.'"
Tom Hanks, the Supportive Husband
Hanks didn't miss the opportunity to support Wilson in 2006 when she made her Broadway debut in a revival of the hit musical Chicago in New York City.
A Golden Duo
Just two years after this photo was taken, at the 2012 premiere of Hanks' film Ladykillers, Wilson shared what she felt was the secret to her long-lasting marriage in a Harper's Bazaar interview: "Commitment isn't hard. I never doubt the commitment. But things come up in life. Everyone has hardship and loss. But commitment is the foundation. There is such value in the depth of your relationships, your friendships, your marriage, your children, all of that. To me, that's what makes you feel safe to go out and pursue the things that are more risky."
The Couple That Plays Together Stays Together
What we wouldn't give to hear the audio from Wilson and Hanks' performance at the 2012 Children's Health Fund 25th Anniversary Concert! You know they knocked it out of the park.
A Very Hot Couple at the ‘Inferno’ Premiere
The couple looked so polished while attending the premiere of Hanks' 2016 film Inferno, the sequel to The DaVinci Code.
Goofing Off for a Good Cause
As honorary cochairs of the World Cancer Research Fund, Hanks and Wilson made an appearance at a 2017 WCRF even where they looked incredibly comfortable in one another's company. Then again, they've been together more than 30 years, so it totally makes sense.
‘The Post’ Mates
Hanks and Wilson looked so happy on the red carpet at the European premiere of Hanks' latest film, The Post, in January 2018. Seeing them looking so loved-up calls to mind this adorable comment Hanks made about Wilson in a 2015 interview with People: "I wish there was a secret, you know. We just like each other… I still can’t believe my wife goes out with me."
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