Rita Wilson is an American actress, singer, and film producer born Margarita Ibrahimoff on October 26, 1956, in Los Angeles. Her parents, Hassan Halilov Ibrahimoff and Dorothea Tzigkou, were of Greek and Bulgarian descent. Wilson's father was a bartender who immigrated to the United States in 1949 and later changed his name to Allan Wilson. Her mother was an ethnic Greek woman from Sotirë in southern Albania.
Wilson began her acting career in the 1970s, making her television debut in an episode of "The Brady Bunch" in 1972. She went on to appear in numerous television shows, including "M*A*S*H," "Happy Days," "Three's Company," and "Who's the Boss?" Wilson's breakthrough role came in 1985 when she co-starred with Tom Hanks in the comedy film "Volunteers." The two met again in 1981 when Wilson had a guest role in the sitcom "Bosom Buddies," which starred Hanks and Peter Scolari.
In the 1990s, Wilson appeared in several films, including "Sleepless in Seattle," "Mixed Nuts," and "Now and Then." She also had a supporting role in the comedy film "That Thing You Do!" in 1996 and appeared in the Christmas-themed film "Jingle All the Way" alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In the 2000s, Wilson produced the hit comedy film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" in 2002 and went on to produce several other films, including "Connie and Carla," "Mamma Mia!," and "My Life in Ruins." She also released her debut solo album, "AM/FM," in 2012 and has since released several other albums, including "Rita Wilson," "Bigger Picture," and "Halfway to Home."
Wilson has been married to Tom Hanks since 1988 and has two sons, Chester Marlon "Chet" Hanks and Truman Theodore Hanks. In 2015, Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. She has been open about her health struggles and has used her platform to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.
Throughout her career, Wilson has been recognized for her contributions to the entertainment industry, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the "Visionary Award" at the Producers Guild of America Award. Despite her health struggles, Wilson remains active in the entertainment industry and continues to produce and act in films and television shows.
