Rita Wilson

American actress and producer Rita Wilson is known by many as the wife of Tom Hanks, but more than that, she has established a fruitful career both on and off camera. Especially her work with My Big Fat Greek Wedding earned her numerous accolades and attention.

Margarita Ibrahimoff, known popularly as Rita Wilson, was born October 26, 1956 in Los Angeles, California. She is of Greek descent on both her father and mother’s side. Keeping that tradition alive, Wilson remains a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.

She made her onscreen debut in 1972 on an episode of The Brady Bunch opposite Maureen McCormick. She continued to appear for one-episode stints on various television shows such as M*A*S*H with Alan Alda and Jamie Farr, Three’s Company with John Ritter, and many more. She finally scored a recurring role with Midnight Caller.

But it was 1993 that earned Wilson her first truly high profile role. Starring opposite Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, and Rosie ODonnell, her role in Sleepless in Seattle won over audiences.

Breaking into the mainstream, Wilson took roles in commercial films for the next six years. One of her most popular roles during this period was Now and Then with all star cast Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore, Janeane Garofalo, Hank Azaria, and Bonnie Hunt. Others may recognize her for her part in the highly acclaimed television film If These Walls Could Talk with Catherine Keener, Sissy Spacek, Cher, Anne Heche, and Jada Pinkett Smith as well as That Thing You Do! with Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Charlize Theron, and Johnathon Schaech.

Winning a Satellite Award for her role in From the Earth to the Moon, Wilson finally earned significant critical acclaim alongside costars Adam Baldwin, Tim Daly, and Blythe Danner.

Continuing her streak of commercial, lighthearted fare, Wilson also made memorable appearances in both Jingle All the Way and Runaway Bride.

Just as 1993 launched her into the acting limelight, 2002 would prove to be her big breakout as a producer. The driving force behind My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Wilson scored a tremendous hit with this fun, romantic comedy. Starring Nia Vardalos, Michael Constantine, John Corbett, and Joey Fatone, the film would go on to become the highest grossing independent film to date, until it was later surpassed by Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

Other producing credits include Connie and Carla with stars Toni Collette and David Duchovny. She is also in works to produce the much anticipated film version of Mamma Mia! On the acting front, she is currently filming Old Dogs, due for a 2008 release.

Comprising half of one of Hollywood’s biggest power couples, Wilson married Hanks on April 30, 1988. They are currently still together, and they have two children.