American actress, singer, and manufacturer
Rita Wilson ( give birth Margarita Ibrahimoff ; October 26, 1956 ) [ 2 ] is an american actress, singer, songwriter, and producer. Her film appearances include Volunteers ( 1985 ), Sleepless in Seattle ( 1993 ), Now and Then ( 1995 ), That Thing You Do! ( 1996 ), Jingle All the Way ( 1996 ), The Story of Us ( 1999 ), Runaway Bride ( 1999 ), It’s Complicated ( 2009 ), and Larry Crowne ( 2011 ), and she appeared in the television receiver serial The Good Wife and Girls. Wilson has performed on Broadway, and has produced respective films, including My Big Fat Greek Wedding ( 2002 ). As a singer/songwriter, Wilson has released the albums AM/FM, Rita Wilson, Bigger Picture, and Halfway to Home. In March 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [ 3 ]

early on life [edit ]

Rita Wilson was born Margarita Ibrahimoff in Hollywood, California [ 2 ] [ 4 ] where she grew up. [ 3 ] Her mother, Dorothea Tzigkou ( greek : Δωροθέα Τζίγκου ), was greek, raised in Sotirë near Dropull iodine Sipërm in Albania, close up to the frame with Greece. [ 5 ] Her father, Hassan Halilov Ibrahimoff ( bulgarian : Хасан Халилов Ибрахимов ; 1920–2009 ), was a bulgarian Muslim ( Pomak ) born in Oraio ( Breshtene ), Greece, close to the molding with Bulgaria. Her church father ‘s family moved to Bulgaria when he was a child. He moved from Bulgaria to the US in 1949. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] He converted from Islam to Orthodox Christianity upon his marriage and changed his name to Allan Wilson in 1960, [ 7 ] choosing his name after a local anesthetic street. Wilson was raised in the greek Orthodox faith. [ 8 ] In accession to Bulgarian, her church father could speak “ russian, turkish, polish, Greek, a little bite of italian, a little bit of french “ according to Wilson ‘s conserve Tom Hanks, who said he modeled his portrayal of the fictional character Viktor Navorski in the film The Terminal on his father-in-law. [ 9 ]

career [edit ]

Film, television, dramaturgy [edit ]

Wilson ‘s career began with a guest appearance on The Brady Bunch in the 1972 sequence “ Greg ‘s Triangle, ” where she played Pat Conway, one of the candidates running against Marcia for head cheerleader. [ 10 ] She besides doubly appeared on M*A*S*H in 1982 as Nurse Lacey [ 11 ] a well as the sitcoms Three’s Company and Bosom Buddies starring her future husband Tom Hanks, [ 12 ] and as Hester Rose Crane, the die mother of Frasier Crane on Frasier. [ 13 ] She has appeared in numerous movies, including Volunteers, Barbarians at the Gate, The Bonfire of the Vanities, Mixed Nuts, Sleepless in Seattle, Now and Then, That Thing You Do!, Jingle All the Way, Runaway Bride, Invisible Child, The Story of Us, Raise Your Voice, It’s Complicated, and Larry Crowne. [ 14 ]

Reading: Rita Wilson

On television, she played Susan Borman, wife of astronaut Frank Borman, in the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. She guest starred in many series, including Frasier, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Body of Proof, and had recurring roles on The Good Wife and Girls. [ 14 ] She was implemental in helping actress-playwright Nia Vardalos get the movie deal for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, [ 15 ] which became the highest-grossing independent film of all clock time and for which she served as a manufacturer. [ 16 ] Wilson produced two stage productions of the play, as they were developing the film. A sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which Wilson co-produced and in which she had a corroborate role, was released in 2016. [ 17 ] Wilson ‘s own greek inheritance was honored in 2016 when the Greek Postal Service ELTA commemorated her with a cast along with five others. The other four depicted on stamps were the film maker Costa-Gavras, engineer and entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, journalist George Stephanopoulos, and billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis. [ 18 ] In 2008, Wilson produced the film Mamma Mia!, [ 19 ] and eight years late its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. [ 20 ] In 2006, Wilson made her Broadway introduction where she performed the function of Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago. [ 21 ] In 2015, she returned to Broadway in Larry David ‘s sold-out original play, Fish in the Dark, playing his wife, Brenda. [ 12 ] Off Broadway, she played versatile roles in Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron ‘s free rein Love, Loss and What I Wore. She reprised her roles in the Los Angeles production at the Geffen Playhouse. [ 22 ] besides at the Geffen, Wilson performed in Daniel Margulies ‘ Pulitzer Prize -winning play, Dinner with Friends, directed by Tony Award winner Dan Sullivan. [ 23 ] [ 24 ] Wilson originated the role of “ Mama ” in the earth premier of Lisa Loomer ‘s play, Distracted, at the Mark Taper Forum, besides in Los Angeles. [ 25 ]

music [edit ]

Wilson ‘s long-standing concern in singing led her to record a debut solo album, AM/FM, which she released on May 8, 2012, on the Decca Records label. The album featured classics from the 1960s/70s, including a cover of “ Wichita Lineman “ that she performed with the song ‘s writer-composer Jimmy Webb. She besides performed a couple of “ All I Have To Do Is Dream ” with former Soundgarden and Audioslave musician Chris Cornell. Additional harmonies on the album come from Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, and Patti Scialfa ( who besides produced the racetrack “ Come See About Me ” with Ron Aniello ). [ 26 ] [ 27 ] At the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, DC on December 4, 2014, she performed for President Obama and Michelle Obama, and served as co-host of the event. [ 28 ] In 2016, Wilson began writing her own songs with the help of co-writer, the Grammy -nominated Kara Dioguardi. [ 29 ] [ 30 ] The first song she wrote and american ginseng was “ grateful ” ( later appearing on the self-titled album, Rita Wilson ) with Dioguardi and Jason Reeves. [ 31 ] Earlier, in 2014, Wilson wrote the birdcall “ Bad Things ” with Matt Nathanson, for the Scott Eastwood film, Dawn Patrol, in which she besides starred. [ 32 ] [ 33 ] That lapp year, her second gear album, Rita Wilson, was released. Wilson co-wrote all the songs on the album with Dan Wilson, Kara Dioguardi, Jason Reeves, Darrell Brown, [ 12 ] Sugarland ‘s Kristian Bush, Richard Marx, [ 34 ] Lauren Christy, Mikal Blue, Nathan Chapman, [ 29 ] Jason Wade, Stephanie Chapman, Ron Aniello, [ 35 ] Jillian Jacqueline, Jessi Alexander, JR Randall, Yugomir Lonich, Blair Daly, and Kelly Archer. [ 36 ] The song “ Strong Tonight ” was performed by Connie Britton on the ABC television receiver picture, Nashville, in the possibility of the episode in which it was included. [ 12 ] The New York Times said : “ Ms. Wilson has a catch in her voice that conveys yearning and electric potential grief behind a facade of cheer. ” [ 37 ] To support the publish of Rita Wilson, she opened on a tour with Chicago ; she has said she is a lifelong fan of the band. “ I am beyond thrilled to be opening for Chicago, a ring who has made up so much of my musical life. Whether I was listening to the band while skiing down a slope or drive in my cable car, I was always instantaneously transported to the rejoice of their melodies and songwriting, ” Wilson said. [ 38 ] [ 34 ] A year belated, Wilson presented “ Liner Notes : Songwriters, Stories and Music with Rita Wilson and Friends ”, where she sang, and besides invited other singer/songwriters to participate in the event. The usher, which took stead at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, included Patty Smyth, Desmond Child, Jeff Barry, Kristian Bush, among others. [ 19 ]
Wilson in 2018 With her third gear album, Bigger Picture, Wilson drew directly from her personal life for its root. The album, released September 28, 2018, reunited her with producer Fred Mollin ( Johnny Mathis, Jimmy Webb, and Kris Kristofferson ) ; the pair in the first place worked together on her debut album AM/FM in 2012. Wilson once again wrote originals such as the championship path and others with Kristian Bush and Darrell Brown, equally well as new partners The Warren Brothers, Lindy Robbins and Alex Reid. The place besides included covers of Cat Stevens ‘ “ The Wind ” and Burt Bacharach / Hal David ‘s “ What the World Needs now is Love. ” [ 39 ] besides, in 2018, Wilson ‘s original song, “ Heart Unknown ”, was used in the indie film, Simple Wedding. She performed the sung, which was co-written by Wilson along with Josh Alexander, Kara Dioguardi, and Mozella. In addition, she performed “ sometimes Love ”, co-written with Grammy winning manufacturer David Hodges, for the independent film, Emmett, in which she besides stars. [ 40 ] On March 29, 2019, Wilson released her one-fourth album, Halfway to Home which included “ Throw Me a Party ”, a song inspired by her survival from breast cancer. [ 41 ] early songs were created during a writing workshop that partnered her with Mozella, Mitch Allan ( Demi Lovato ), Kara DioGuardi ( Pink ), Liz Rose and Krisian Bush. [ 42 ] Halfway to Home was co-produced by Nathan Chapman, who has worked regularly with Taylor Swift. “ Halfway to Home finds Wilson pulling from musical traditions that revere deep storytelling ( Southern California rock candy, classic Nashville country ), which was a authentication for her growing up, ” explained Rolling Stone. [ 43 ] In the course of her music career, Wilson has performed her songs on Ellen, [ 44 ] The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Today. [ 45 ]

Read more: David Prowse

In March 2020, while filming in Australia, Wilson contracted COVID-19. While in self-quarantine and going “ stimulate brainsick ”, she filmed an Instagram video showing her rapping the Naughty by Nature birdcall, “ Hip Hop Hooray “. The video recording went viral [ 46 ] and reached Naughty by Nature ‘s Vin Rock. The two teamed up for a “ Hip Hop Hooray ” remix that benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. [ 47 ] In July 2020, Wilson appeared on Jimmie Allen ‘s Bettie James EP, [ 48 ] collaborating on the sung “ When This Is Over ” with Tauren Wells and The Oak Ridge Boys. [ 49 ] [ 50 ]

journalism [edit ]

Wilson has been a contributing editor to Harper’s Bazaar magazine, writing over twenty-one articles. [ 51 ] She besides started, and was Editor at Large of, a part on The Huffington Post called Huff/Post50, which explored issues and topics proportional to people over fifty years old. [ 52 ] She has besides written for O, The Oprah Magazine. [ 53 ]

personal life [edit ]

Wilson married actor Tom Hanks in 1988. They have two sons, Chester and Truman. [ 54 ] Wilson has two stepchild, Colin and Elizabeth Hanks. Wilson has three grandchild. [ 55 ] She is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. [ 56 ] In April 2015, Wilson announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergo a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. [ 57 ] After a one-month hiatus, she returned to Larry David ‘s Fish in the Dark Broadway display. [ 58 ] On March 12, 2020, Hanks announced through his Instagram visibility that the couple had contracted COVID-19 and were experiencing child symptoms while he was shooting an approaching movie Elvis ( as Colonel Tom Parker ) with director Baz Luhrmann in Australia. They were admitted to the Gold Coast University Hospital. [ 59 ] [ 60 ] [ 61 ] [ 62 ] On March 27, Wilson and her conserve returned home to Los Angeles following their quarantine. [ 63 ] The couple decided to donate their blood antibodies for virus research. [ 64 ]

activism [edit ]

In 2015, Wilson signed an unfold letter on which the ONE Campaign had been collecting signatures. The letter was addressed to Angela Merkel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urging them to focus on women as they serve as the pass of the G7 in Germany and the AU in South Africa respectively. The G7 and AU were expected to set the priorities in development support before a main UN summit in September 2015 that was to establish new development goals for the genesis. [ 65 ]

philanthropy [edit ]

For over twenty dollar bill years, Wilson and her conserve, Tom Hanks, have been honorary co-chairs along with Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw of the Women ‘s Cancer Research Fund ( WCRF ), specializing in raising money for women ‘s cancers. [ 66 ] In 2016, WCRF joined forces with Evelyn Lauder ‘s Breast Cancer Research Foundation. [ citation needed ] Wilson contributed to the Moffitt Cancer Center by donating “ true Hearts ” jewelry made of sterling silver and 14k gold. Wilson has credited Rosie O’Donnell as inhalation for her charitable knead, particularly with cancer and children ‘s charities. [ 67 ] She and her conserve have long supported the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, [ 68 ] going back to 1989 when Wilson appeared as Celia in a production of As You Like It. [ 69 ] Their annual Simply Shakespeare event raises funds to support programs for underprivileged youth. Musicians at the fundraiser have included Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Ben Harper, Reba McEntire, and more. [ citation needed ] In 2018, Wilson and Hanks were honored [ 70 ] with USC Shoah Foundation ‘s Ambassadors For Humanity award in recognition of their “ longstanding commitment to humanist causes and hold of veterans ”. [ 71 ] The couple besides contribute to other charities including AIDS Project Los Angeles, [ 72 ] and many more. Wilson and her husband have besides made a significant contribution in helping the people who suffered from the Mati Fire in Greece. [ 73 ] This has earned her and Hanks an offer of honorary naturalization in Greece from the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos [ 73 ] on December 27, 2019 .

Filmography [edit ]

film [edit ]

television [edit ]

As musical performer [edit ]

As producer [edit ]

discography [edit ]

Discography for Rita Wilson

Album title

Release date

Track listing

AM/FM

May 8, 2012

  • “All I Have to Do Is Dream”
  • “Never My Love”
  • “Come See About Me
  • “Angel of the Morning”
  • “Walking in the Rain”
  • “Wichita Lineman”
  • “Cherish”
  • “You Were on My Mind”
  • “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues”
  • “Love Has No Pride”
  • “Please Come to Boston”
  • “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”
  • “Faithless Love”
  • “River”
  • “Every Perfect Picture”

Rita Wilson

March 11, 2016

  • “Along for the Ride”
  • “Crying, Crying”
  • “Talking to Me”
  • “Forgiving Me Forgiving You”
  • “Say Yes”
  • “Strong Tonight”
  • “What You See Is What You Get”
  • “Joni”
  • “In the Dark”
  • “Stay Low”
  • “Every Day”
  • “Girls Night In”
  • “I’m Guilty”
  • “Still Gone”
  • “Grateful”

Bigger Picture

September 28, 2018

  • “Bigger Picture”
  • “Good Man”
  • “Heart He Handed Down”
  • “Tear by Tear”
  • “Not About the Music”
  • “The Way I Am”
  • “Broken Man”
  • “Blindsided”
  • “Go On Through It”
  • “The Wind”
  • “It Goes So Fast”
  • “Even More Mine”

Halfway to Home

March 29, 2019

  • “Big City Small Town Girl”
  • “The Spark”
  • “Song for Everyone”
  • “Halfway to Home”
  • “Throw Me a Party”
  • “Oh, No, You Didn’t”
  • “New Girl”
  • “Demolition Man”
  • “Rule Breaker”
  • “Pay Me in Wine”
  • “Faith in You”
  • “Heart Race”
  • “Date Night”

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

References [edit ]