Rita Wilson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rita Wilson
Wilson in 2019
Born	Margarita Ibrahimoff (1956-10-26) October 26, 1956 (age 68) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Citizenship	United States Greece
Alma mater	London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actress singer producer
Years active	1972–present
Spouse(s)	Tom Hanks ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	2, including Chet Hanks
Relatives	Colin Hanks (stepson) Jim Hanks (brother-in-law) Larry Hanks (brother-in-law)
Musical career
Genres	Country
Labels	Sing It Loud Records
Associated acts	Eamonn McCrystal Jimmie Allen

Margarita Wilson Hanks (born October 26, 1956), known as Rita Wilson, is an American actress, singer, and producer. She has appeared in many popular movies like Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Now and Then (1995), and Jingle All the Way (1996). She also acted in TV shows such as The Good Wife and Girls.

Besides acting, Rita Wilson has performed on Broadway stages. She has also produced several films, including the very successful My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002). As a singer-songwriter, she has released albums like AM/FM and Halfway to Home. In 2019, she received a special star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Rita Wilson's Early Life

Rita Wilson was born Margarita Ibrahimoff on October 26, 1956, in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Dorothea Tzigkou, was Greek. Her father, Hassan Halilov Ibrahimoff, was from Bulgaria. He moved to the United States in 1949.

When her parents married, her father changed his name to Allan Wilson in 1960. He chose the name from a local street. Rita grew up in Los Angeles and was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith. Her father knew many languages, including Bulgarian, Russian, and Greek. Her husband, Tom Hanks, even used her father as inspiration for his character in the movie The Terminal.

Rita Wilson's Acting Career

Wilson at an HBO party in 2008

Rita Wilson started her acting journey with a guest role on The Brady Bunch in 1972. She played Pat Conway, a cheerleader candidate. She also appeared in other classic TV shows like M*A*S*H and Three's Company. Interestingly, she even appeared in Bosom Buddies, which starred her future husband, Tom Hanks.

In the 1980s, Rita studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in England.

Movies and TV Shows

Rita Wilson has been in many movies over the years. Some of her well-known films include Volunteers, Sleepless in Seattle, Now and Then, and Jingle All the Way. She also appeared in Runaway Bride and It's Complicated.

On television, she played Susan Borman in the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. She also had guest roles in shows like Frasier and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She had regular roles in The Good Wife and Girls.

Producing Films

Rita Wilson played a big part in making the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. She helped actress-playwright Nia Vardalos get the movie made. This film became the highest-earning independent movie ever! Rita was one of the producers for it. She also co-produced and acted in the sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which came out in 2016.

In 2008, Rita produced the movie Mamma Mia!, and later its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Both were very popular. She also produced the film A Man Called Otto, released in 2022. She became interested in this film after seeing the original Swedish movie it was based on.

Broadway Performances

In 2006, Rita Wilson made her debut on Broadway. She played the role of Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago. She also performed in other plays like Love, Loss and What I Wore and Fish in the Dark.

COVID-19 Recovery

In March 2020, while filming in Australia, Rita and her husband Tom Hanks became sick with COVID-19. They had mild symptoms and recovered. After returning home, they decided to donate their blood to help with virus research.

Rita Wilson's Music Career

Rita Wilson is also a talented singer and songwriter.

Album Releases

Her first solo album, AM/FM, was released in 2012. It featured classic songs from the 1960s and 70s. She sang a duet with Chris Cornell on the album.

In 2016, Rita started writing her own songs. Her second album, Rita Wilson, came out that same year. She co-wrote all the songs on this album. The New York Times praised her voice, saying it "conveys yearning and potential heartbreak." To support this album, she even went on tour with the band Chicago.

Her third album, Bigger Picture, was released in 2018. For this album, Rita wrote songs inspired by her own life. Her fourth album, Halfway to Home, came out in 2019. It included a song called "Throw Me a Party," which was inspired by her recovery from breast cancer.

Collaborations and Performances

Wilson performing at The White House in March 2023

Rita has performed her songs on popular TV shows like Ellen, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Today.

In 2020, she teamed up with the hip-hop group Naughty by Nature for a remix of their song "Hip Hop Hooray." This remix helped raise money for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. She also collaborated with country singer Jimmie Allen and other artists.

In 2022, Rita released her duets album, Now & Forever. This album features classic songs from the 1970s sung with famous male vocalists like Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, and Josh Groban. In 2023, she performed four songs at the White House for the Greek Independence Day celebration.

Journalism Work

Rita Wilson has also worked as a contributing editor for Harper's Bazaar magazine. She wrote more than twenty articles for them. She also helped start a section on The Huffington Post called Huff/Post50, which focused on topics for people over fifty. She has also written for O, The Oprah Magazine.

Rita Wilson's Personal Life

Wilson and Hanks at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989

Rita Wilson married actor Tom Hanks in 1988. Tom had two children from a previous marriage, Colin and Elizabeth. Rita and Tom have two sons together, Chet and Truman. Rita is also a grandmother to three children. She is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Giving Back: Activism and Charity

Rita Wilson is very involved in charity work. For over 20 years, she and Tom Hanks have been honorary co-chairs of the Women's Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). This organization raises money to fight women's cancers. Rita has also donated special jewelry to help the Moffitt Cancer Center.

She and her husband also support the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles. They hold an annual event called "Simply Shakespeare" to raise money for programs that help young people. Famous musicians like Paul McCartney and Paul Simon have performed at this event.

In 2018, Rita and Tom received an award for their long-time commitment to helping others and supporting veterans. They also contribute to other charities like AIDS Project Los Angeles.

In 2019, the Greek President offered Rita and Tom honorary citizenship in Greece. This was to thank them for their significant help to people affected by the Mati Fire in Greece.

Filmography

Film

Television

As musical performer

As producer

Discography

Wilson is credited as co-writer for all tracks on Rita Wilson, Bigger Picture, and Halfway to Home.

See also

In Spanish: Rita Wilson para niños