| Full Name | Rita Wilson |
| Born | October 26, 1956 (age 66) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Spouse | Tom Hanks (m. 1988-present) |
| Children | 4, including Chet and Truman Hanks |
| Net Worth | $100 million |
| Social Media | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
Rita Wilson is a multi-talented performer who has made her mark in Hollywood as an actress, producer, singer and songwriter. Married to beloved actor Tom Hanks since 1988, Rita has established a lengthy career in the entertainment industry spanning over four decades.
Early Life and Career
Rita was born Margarita Ibrahimoff on October 26, 1956 in Los Angeles to Greek immigrant parents. Growing up, Rita was fully immersed in Greek culture and fluently spoke Greek in her household. After graduating high school, Rita attended London‘s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts to study acting. She then returned to the United States to pursue her professional acting career.
Rita made her film debut alongside Tom Hanks in the 1985 comedy “Volunteers”. This marked the beginning of both her acting career and her relationship with Hanks. She went on to appear in several more films over the late 80s and early 90s including “The Bonfire of the Vanities”, “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Now and Then”.
Early in her career, Rita also appeared in various television shows like “The Brady Bunch”, “M*A*S*H”, “Three‘s Company” and “Frasier”. She had recurring TV roles on “Bosom Buddies” as Hildegarde and “The Good Wife” as Viola Walsh. Her acting versatility across mediums demonstrated Rita‘s breadth of talent from the very start.
Transition to Producing
In the late 90s, Rita expanded into producing Hollywood films. She served as an executive producer for blockbuster hits including “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, “Mamma Mia!”, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”. As the producer of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, Rita made history as the first female producer to ever gross over $100 million for a film.
Rita’s producing talents earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. In 2003, she won the Satellite Award for Best Overall DVD, in recognition of her production work on “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”. Rita takes great pride in finding and generating compelling, commercially successful stories as a producer.
Continued Acting and Broadway Work
While focusing more heavily on producing, Rita continued nurturing her acting talents over the years as well. She appeared alongside her husband Tom Hanks in beloved films like “Sleepless in Seattle”, “That Thing You Do!”, “Runaway Bride” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”. Audiences delight in Rita and Tom’s natural chemistry and charm on-screen.
Rita also spread her wings into theater, making her Broadway debut in 2006 starring as the murderess Roxie Hart in the musical “Chicago”. She followed up with acclaimed performances in Broadway productions of “The Graduate”, “Looped” and “Fish in the Dark”. Her dedication to honing her theatrical craft earned Rita positive critical reviews.
Launching a Music Career
Never one to slow down, Rita expanded her artistic talents into music in the 2010s. She has released several albums showcasing her beautiful singing voice and thoughtful songwriting style. Her debut album AM/FM dropped in 2012, followed by the holiday album Rita Wilson’s Christmas Memories in 2013.
Rita’s subsequent albums include her self-titled Rita Wilson in 2016 and Halfway to Home in 2018. She also collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Linda Perry on her single "Faith" and other songs. Rita‘s music blends intricate harmonies and heartfelt, meaningful lyrics. She views songwriting as a passion and creative outlet.
Her albums have topped Billboard‘s U.S. Heatseekers chart, proving Rita‘s music resonates with wide audiences. She even landed a song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2018 with "Grateful", a testament to her talent.
Cancer Diagnosis and Advocacy
In 2015, Rita publicly disclosed she had been diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, as well as chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Rita has spoken openly about her health struggles and difficult journey back to wellness after cancer.
She had to press pause on releasing a new album while undergoing treatment in 2015. However, strong and resilient Rita remained positive, returning to all her passions soon after recovery. She is now cancer-free and an advocate for cancer research and awareness. Her story serves as inspiration to anyone facing major health battles.
Long-Lasting Marriage to Tom Hanks
Rita Wilson married Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks in 1988 after reconnecting from their first meeting on the set of “Volunteers” in the 80s. Though Rita was married to her first husband at that time, she and Tom Hanks developed a loving bond years later.
Tom Hanks had two children from his previous marriage, while he and Rita went on to have two sons together named Chester and Truman. The family of six blended seamlessly. Despite the pressures of fame, Rita and Tom have maintained a strong 30+ year marriage based on mutual trust and support. They balance busy careers while keeping their family life private and grounded.
Rita credits open communication as one secret to their successful Hollywood relationship, saying, “You’ve got to keep talking to each other and finding out new things about each other.” The couple frequently collaborates creatively and even received matching stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. Rita Wilson remains Tom Hanks’ biggest fan and cheerleader.
Why We Love Rita Wilson
There are so many reasons to admire Rita Wilson for all of her phenomenal talents and contributions over the years:
- Her acting range across comedic and dramatic roles is exceptional.
- She makes history as the first female producer of a major blockbuster.
- Her singing and songwriting skills are inspiring.
- She balances family, health and a thriving multi-faceted career.
- She epitomizes resilience in overcoming breast cancer.
- Her embrace of Greek culture makes her an icon.
- Her decades-long marriage to Tom Hanks is aspirational.
- She elevates fellow creatives by producing their passion projects.
Rita Wilson remains a consummate professional and inspiration fans for her beauty, wisdom and diverse talents. Her career achievements and legacy continue impacting Hollywood in profound ways.
Fun Facts About Rita Wilson
- Rita showed her creative eye as a photographer, compiling candid portraits in her book “Rita Wilson’s Guide to Men”.
- She loves connecting with fans on Instagram, where she has over 400k followers.
- In 2020, Rita released a line of Greek-inspired frozen foods called “Rita’s Greek Kitchen” with Oprah‘s food brand.
- She received her star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998 beside husband Tom Hanks.
- Rita enjoys performing her music live and has toured extensively across America.
Lasting Legacy
Without a doubt, Rita Wilson has made a profound impact over her 40+ year career. Her unforgettable acting roles bring joy and laughter into our lives. As a producer, she amplifies creative voices while pioneering female leadership. Through music, her stirring lyrics speak directly to the human spirit.
Most importantly, she embodies grace and dedication to family. Even in the face of cancer, Rita persevered with optimism and courage. She is devoted to giving back through advocacy work. Rita Wilson‘s legacy will continue inspiring all those who know her name and story for generations to come. Though already iconic, something tells us Rita Wilson still has much more to offer the world.
