The allure of love—it truly is the most beautiful feeling in the world, isn’t it? Love has a force so profound that it can stir souls, shape destinies, and etch momentous moments into the canvas of our lives. Now, imagine that force captured on the big screen, as exemplified by Tom Hanks and the timeless love story embedded in Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump.
Can you feel the magic? But did you know that behind the scenes, it was Hanks’ admiration for his actress wife, Rita Wilson, that infused such honesty & warmth into every frame of the 1994 film? Without the latter’s influence, the enchanting narrative between Hanks’ Forrest & Robin Wright’s Jenny might have lacked its heartfelt essence.
When Forrest Gump danced into our hearts in 1994, becoming a juggernaut and winning six Academy Awards, we did not realize that the Volunteers actress was the secret ingredient to the film’s mesmerizing charm. Was she?
Rita Wilson: The Secret Ingredient Behind the Success of Tom Hanks’ Forrest Gump
When we think of Forrest Gump, we immediately think of the iconic love story between Forrest and Jenny, played by Tom Hanks & Robin Wright, respectively. But what many people may not realize is that it was actually Hanks’ real-life love for Rita Wilson, that gave him the stirring depth and connection needed to bring his character to life.
The Oscar-winning actor, 67, has always been open about the profound influence Wilson has had on his life and career. In an interview with Oprah, Hanks revealed that his relationship with the Sleepless in Seattle actress goes beyond words like wife or girlfriend. In his words:
I view my wife as my lover, and we have a bond that goes beyond words like wife or girlfriend or mother. For example, I was able to construct a number of things in Philadelphia [1993] because of my relationship with Rita.
The way my character felt about his lover is the way I feel about mine. The same was true when I played Forrest Gump, who loved Jenny. Without my connection with Rita, I don’t know how I would’ve been able to connect with what Forrest was going through.
The Volunteers co-stars first met on the set of Bosom Buddies in 1981 and after two years of dating, they tied the knot in 1988 and have been inseparable ever since, welcoming two children together (see PEOPLE). When accepting the Best Actor award for his role in Forrest Gump, Hanks famously said (via Oprah):
I have a woman who teaches me what love is every day. Maybe that sentiment is possible to fake, but for me it’s really true. What makes me different from others is that I verbalize this stuff.
It’s clear that without Wilson, Hanks would not have been able to bring cordial breadth to his role in Forrest Gump, which earned over $678 million, making it the second highest-grossing film of 1994 (Box Office Mojo).
Relationship Lessons We Can Learn from Tom Hanks
With more than three decades of matrimonial harmony, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson continue to inspire many—echoing a love that many yearn to replicate in their own lives.
Insights from the same interview with Oprah revealed the layers of their bond: timely serendipity, emotional maturity, & a thread of intimacy that is as solid as the very seats we sit in. Hanks shared:
The success of our relationship was a matter of timing, maturity, and our willingness to have an intimate connection. When I married Rita, I thought, ‘This is going to require some change on my part.’
Like any couple, they have faced their fair share of ups and downs, but what sets them apart is their unfaltering dedication to each other. Recalling further, Hanks added:
In real life, our connection is as concrete as me sitting here. Not that marriage doesn’t come close to being hell in a handbasket sometimes. But we both know that no matter what, we’ll be with each other—and we’ll get through it.
Their enduring love story is a beacon of hope for anyone who believes in the power of true love, showing that with time, patience, and a whole lot of love, happily ever after is possible!
Forrest Gump is streaming on FuboTV.
