Rita Wilson Affirms Love to Tom Hanks on His 67th Birthday – They Fought Cancer Together despite Love Not Being ‘Magic’

• Tom Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson, wrote an emotional tribute to the actor on his birthday.
• Hanks and his wife met on set and were friends at first before going public with their relationship in 1986.
• Hanks and Wilson raised their two kids exceptionally well. The actor was present for their blended family.

Tom Hanks was born on July 9, 1965. The actor and filmmaker is married to Rita Wilson, a singer and actress.

Wilson recently celebrated Hanks’ 67th birthday on Instagram. She wrote a sweet tribute dedicated to her husband of 35 years.

The actress began her post by describing Hanks, “Happy Birthday to this man who is my lover, my best friend, my family, the father of my children.”

Wilson added a few fun facts about Hanks, including that he loves a typewriter and inventing cocktails “like Diet Cokecaine (Diet Coke mixed with Champagne) or a Cokearita (Diet Coke mixed with margarita).”

The actress said her husband works as a DJ sometimes. She noted that Hanks is happiest surrounded by family and friends. Wilson said the actor has dedicated his career to telling stories of veterans and has created his own coffee brand that supports veterans. She wrote:

“He is one of the smartest people I know, has made me laugh everyday for 38 years, can nap anywhere at anytime. Happy happy birthday my love! 🎂💕🌸💐💕🎂🌸💐💕🎂🌸🎂💕🌸.”

Wilson’s birthday tribute to her husband comes after the couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in April 2023.

Hanks’ and Wilson’s love story started over three decades ago when the two met while shooting “Bosom Buddies,” an ABC sitcom that aired in 1981. The two have been together for 38 years.

Wilson said when she and her husband met, they got along instantly. She added that Hanks was a great storyteller, and because she loved a good storyteller, he would make her laugh all the time.

The “Mamma Mia!” actor said he was proud of his special blended family when he received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2020 Golden Globes.

The couple started off as friends because Hanks was married to Samantha Lewes, his college sweetheart. In 1985, Hanks and Wilson featured in “Volunteers,” their first feature film together.

Hanks revealed that the two just looked at each other, and everything fell into place. The actor said he asked Wilson if her feelings were real, and they both just couldn’t deny their chemistry.

When Hanks and Lewes parted ways, he and Wilson informed the public that they were dating in 1986. Hanks and Lewes divorced in 1987.

The pair dated for two years and got married on April 30, 1988. Hanks donned a black tuxedo while Wilson was in an untraditional short wedding dress.

Wilson later opened up about their relationship to Oprah Winfrey. He noted that its success was determined by timing, maturity, and their willingness to form a connection:

“I won’t deny that providence was part of us finding each other, but our relationship isn’t magic — the way it’s shown in movies.”

The “Elvis” actor added that as much as their connection was real, marriage wasn’t easy, but the two of them knew that they’d be there for each other no matter what and get through each challenge.

Wilson and Hanks welcomed their first child Chester Hanks on April 4, 1990. On December 26, 1995, the duo welcomed their second child, Theodore Hanks.

Over the years, the couple have worked together on several productions. In 1993, they both starred in “Sleepless in Seattle,” which was nominated for two academy awards. In 1992, Wilson was by her husband’s side when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

When the actress made her Broadway debut in 2006 on “Roxie Hart in Chicago,” Hanks came to support her. Hanks also attended Wilson’s Walk of Fame ceremony in 2019.

Hanks and Wilson have also seen each other through hard times. In 2015, the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

Wilson said she was blessed to have the love and support of her husband and family during the entire process. She added that her husband was by her side and noted that she was getting better each day.

Wilson and Hanks supported each other when they both contracted Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Wilson admitted that them having the virus at the same time made it easier for them to take care of each other.

The couple have not only done a good job taking care of each other, but they have also raised their kids well and ensured their blended family thrived.

Hanks’ first child is Colin Lewes Hanks. The actor had his first child with his first wife, Lewes. Colin, who attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, was born on November 24, 1977.

Colin is a director and voice-over actor. He is married to Samantha Bryant, and the pair have two kids, Olivia Jane, born in 2011, and Charlotte Bryant, born in 2013.

The 45-year-old admitted that when he started his career, he thought being Hanks’ son wasn’t a big deal and that people would view him as his own person, but that didn’t happen.

The “Cast Away” star’s second child Elizabeth Ann Hanks, was born on May 17, 1982. She is Hanks’ and Lewes’ second child. The 41-year-old graduated from Vassar College. After graduation, she started writing under the name E.A. Hanks.

She is now an accomplished writer who has been featured in TIME magazine, The New York Times, and Huffington Post. Elizabeth is set to publish her first novel in 2024.

Hanks’ third child Chester is his first with Wilson. Chester, whose stage name is Chet Hanks, launched his music career while he was a student at Northwestern University.

In 2014, Chester went to rehab to treat substance abuse. Chester has a daughter, Michaiah Hanks, whom he shares with his ex-Tiffany Miles.

The 32-year-old also said having Hanks and Wilson as his parents made him privileged but not spoiled. He noted that his parents didn’t just give him money or allowance; he had to work and earn everything.

Truman is the youngest of Hanks’ kids. He is also the second child of Hanks and Wilson. Truman graduated from Stanford University in 2018.

He isn’t primarily an actor, but the 27-year-old starred in the 2022 film “A Man Called Otto,” where he played the younger version of Hanks’ character.

The “Mamma Mia!” actor said he was proud of his special blended family when he received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2020 Golden Globes.

Hanks said he has been blessed with a wonderful family made up of brave, strong, and wise kids. He added that he has a fantastic wife in Wilson and that she has taught him what love is.