19 Vintage Photos of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's Early Years Together
19 Vintage Photos of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's Early Years Together
Kate HoganThu, April 30, 2026 at 10:05 AM UTC
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Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Happy anniversary, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson!
The stars walked down the aisle on April 30, 1988, and haven't looked back since. They're happily celebrating 38 years of marriage in 2026.
“I still can’t believe my wife goes out with me,” Hanks once told reporters in 2015. “If we were in high school and I was just funny, I’d never have the courage to talk to her.”
“They say it must be hard work. No it’s not,” he continued. “Every now and again you know, you gotta get over some stuff but life is one damn thing after another and its actually more pleasant to be able to go home with someone you like to spend time with in order to get with it.”
Here, on the couple's latest anniversary, see their early years together in photos.
01 of 19
Going Public
Tom Hanks and Rita WilsonCredit: L. Cohen/WireImage
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson initially met on the set of his ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies in 1981; he was married, so they got along as friends.
02 of 19
Undeniable Love
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1985Credit: aron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty
Things heated up when the couple costarred in 1985's Volunteers. (He and his first wife had separated and would finalize their divorce in 1987.) "Rita and I just looked at each other and — kaboing — that was that," Hanks told GQ. "I asked Rita if it was the real thing for her, and it just couldn't be denied."
03 of 19
Going Steady
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1986Credit: Frank Edwards/Archive Photos/Getty
The stars were all smiles at a screening of Nothing in Common at the Plitt Theatre in L.A. in September of 1986.
04 of 19
Awards Night
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1987Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson walked arm-in-arm at the 59th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
05 of 19
While in France
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988Credit: GARCIA/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
At the Festival de Deauville in France in September 1988, Tom Hanks escorted Rita Wilson out on the town.
06 of 19
Wedding Bells
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
The couple was photographed out on their wedding day in California in 1988.
07 of 19
Golden Moments
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1989Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were the picture of romance at the 46th Golden Globe Awards in January 1989.
08 of 19
Here for You
Tom Hanks and Rita WilsonCredit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Rita Wilson kept her husband looking picture-perfect during his Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood in 1992.
09 of 19
Her Leading Man
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1993Credit: Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty
Rita Wilson only had eyes for Tom Hanks at the 1993 premiere of their romantic comedy,Sleepless in Seattle.
While talking with Piers Morgan in 2012, Wilson shared one of the most romantic moments she's ever had with Hanks: "I'll never forget, we were standing on the corner of 57th and 5th in New York, or 58th and 5th," she began. "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.' Literally, a wave of — if love is a feeling, or a cellular thing that happens to your body — it went through me, and that's pretty much who he is, and how he's been."
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10 of 19
Just Us Two
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
The couple saw eye-to-eye at the Hollywood Women's Press Club's 54th Annual Golden Apple Awards in December of 1994.
11 of 19
Picture-Perfect
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994Credit: Ted Dayton/WWD/Penske Media/Getty
Snap! Tom Hanks turned the camera on photographers for an event at Sony Pictures Studios in 1994.
12 of 19
Black-Tie Only
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
The couple epitomized Hollywood glamour at the 51st Golden Globe Awards in 1994.
13 of 19
Then and Now
Tom Hanks and Rita WilsonCredit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Hanks was a proud husband as he held his wife's hand at the premiere of her film Now & Then back in 1995.
14 of 19
Major Wins
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1995Credit: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Rita Wilson stood proudly by Tom Hanks' side at the 67th Academy Awards, where he won Best Actor for Forrest Gump.
15 of 19
Laugh it Up
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1995Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Theh pair cracked up together at the first-ever Screen Actors Guild Awards in L.A. in Feb. 1995.
"One of the things, when we met, was that we just got along instantly," Wilson told Kelly Clarkson of what drew her to her husband. "First of all, I love a good storyteller. So anybody who could tell a good story, I'm down with that. ... I love that. He makes me laugh all the time. He's a great storyteller."
16 of 19
I See You
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1997Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
A fashion event in L.A. in June of 1997 was a good excuse for them to step out in style.
17 of 19
For Eternity
Tom Hanks and Rita WilsonCredit: LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty
Wilson was once again happily by her husband's side as he immortalized his handprints in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre in 1998.
18 of 19
In Full Bloom
Tom Hanks and Rita WilsonCredit: KMazur/WireImage
The couple attended the 71st Annual Academy Awards in 1999 looking extremely elegant. Hanks, rocking a full beard, was nominated for Best Actor for his work in Saving Private Ryan.
19 of 19
Laughter, Always
om Hanks and Rita WilsonCredit: LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty
The couple was evidently tickled by something off camera when they attended a benefit gala celebrating the 40th of Valentino.
"The success of our relationship was a matter of timing, maturity and our willingness to have an intimate connection," Hanks told Oprah Winfrey. "When I married Rita, I thought, 'This is going to require some change on my part.' 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."
"In real life, our connection is as concrete as me sitting here," he added. "Not that marriage doesn't come close to being hell in a handbasket sometimes. But we both know that no matter what, we'll be with each other — and we'll get through it."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
