Human Interest Real People Real People Married Life Adorable Throwback Photos of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's Early Years Together The stars celebrate 36 years of marriage on April 30, 2024 By Kate Hogan Kate Hogan Kate Hogan is Director of Digital Specials and Features at PEOPLE, as well as the editor of Stories to Make You Smile. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2008. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 30, 2024 07:05AM EDT 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 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 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 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 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 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 Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in 1988. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. Close