Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson Throwback Photos

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Wedding Reception — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988. Photo:
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, celebrating 36 years of marriage and many years together in 2024.

“I still can’t believe my wife goes out with me,” Hanks 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 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in the 1980s

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks in Los Angeles, California — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
L. Cohen/WireImage

After meeting on the set of ABC's sitcom Bosom Buddies in 1981, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson went public with their relationship in 1986.

02 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1985

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks during the filming of "Volunteers" in Mexico City, Mexico 1985 — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1985.
aron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty

The couple costarred in 1985's Volunteers, which filmed in part in Mexico City. "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 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1986

Tom Hanks with his girlfriend, actress Rita Wilson, attending a screening of the movie 'Nothing in Common' at the Plitt Theatre, Los Angeles, September 1986. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1986.
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 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1987

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson attend the 59th Annual Academy Awards — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1987.
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 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson attend France au Festival de Deauville in September 1988 — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988.
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 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988

The couple was photographed out on their wedding day in California in 1988.

07 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1989

Tom Hanks and actress Rita Wilson attend the 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 28, 1989 at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1989.
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 of 1989.

08 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1992

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson during Tom Hanks Honored with Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
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 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1993

Tom Hanks with actress Rita Wilson, attending a screening of the movie Sleepless in Seattle — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1993.
Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty

Rita Wilson only had eyes for Tom Hanks at the 1993 premiere of their beloved rom-com, Sleepless in Seattle.

10 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks attend the Hollywood Women's Press Club's 54th Annual Golden Apple Awards on December 11, 1994 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

The couple once again saw eye-to-eye at the Hollywood Women's Press Club's 54th Annual Golden Apple Awards in December of 1994.

11 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson attend an event at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, on June 4, 1994. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994.
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 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson attend the 51st Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 22, 1994 at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1994.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

The couple epitomized Hollywood glamour at the 51st Golden Globe Awards in 1994.

13 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1995

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks attend the 67th Annual Academy Awards — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1995.
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.

14 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1995

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks attend the First Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 25, 1995 at Universal Studios in Universal City, California. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1995.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Something was funny between the pair at the first-ever Screen Actors Guild Awards in February of 1995 in L.A.

15 of 15

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1997

Tom Hanks and actress Rita Wilson attend the California Fashion Industry Friends of AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) Fashion Show and Dinner to Salute Tom Ford on June 5, 1997 at The Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Air Center in Santa Monica, California. — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1997.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson shared a smile in 1997 at the California Fashion Industry Friends of AIDS Project Los Angeles Fashion Show and Dinner to Salute Tom Ford in L.A. in June of 1997.