31 Facts About Rita Wilson

Margarita Wilson Hanks is an American actress, singer, and producer.

Rita Wilson was born on October 26,1956 in Los Angeles.

Rita Wilson's father, Hassan Halilov Ibrahimoff, was a Bulgarian Muslim born in Oraio, Greece, close to the border with Bulgaria.

Rita Wilson's father's family moved to Bulgaria when he was a child.

Rita Wilson converted from Islam to Orthodox Christianity upon his marriage and changed his name to Allan Wilson in 1960, choosing his name after a local street.

The family lived in Los Angeles, where Rita Wilson's father worked as a bartender.

Rita Wilson's career began with a guest appearance on The Brady Bunch in the 1972 episode "Greg's Triangle," where she played Pat Conway, one of the candidates running against Marcia Brady for head cheerleader.

Rita Wilson was instrumental in helping actress-playwright Nia Vardalos get the movie deal for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which became the highest-grossing independent film of all time and for which she served as a producer.

Rita Wilson produced two stage productions of the play, as they were developing the film.

In 2006, Rita Wilson made her Broadway debut where she performed the role of Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago.

Rita Wilson reprised her roles in the Los Angeles production at the Geffen Playhouse.

Also at the Geffen, Rita Wilson performed in Daniel Margulies' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Dinner with Friends, directed by Tony Award winner Dan Sullivan.

Rita Wilson originated the role of "Mama" in the world premier of Lisa Loomer's play, Distracted, at the Mark Taper Forum, in Los Angeles.

Rita Wilson produced the film A Man Called Otto, initially released in December 2022.

Rita Wilson became interested in producing the film after watching A Man Called Ove, the Swedish film upon which A Man Called Otto is based.

Rita Wilson performed a duet of "All I Have To Do Is Dream" with former Soundgarden and Audioslave musician Chris Cornell.

In 2016, Rita Wilson began writing her own songs with the help of co-writer, the Grammy-nominated Kara Dioguardi.

Rita Wilson co-wrote all the songs on the album with Dan Rita Wilson, Kara Dioguardi, Jason Reeves, Darrell Brown, Sugarland's Kristian Bush, Richard Marx, Lauren Christy, Mikal Blue, Nathan Chapman, Jason Wade, Stephanie Chapman, Ron Aniello, Jillian Jacqueline, Jessi Alexander, JR Randall, Yugomir Lonich, Blair Daly, and Kelly Archer.

Rita Wilson has a catch in her voice that conveys yearning and potential heartbreak behind a facade of cheer.

Rita Wilson wrote originals such as the title track and others with Kristian Bush and Darrell Brown, as well as new partners The Warren Brothers, Lindy Robbins and Alex Reid.

Rita Wilson performed the song, which she co-wrote with Josh Alexander, Kara Dioguardi, and Mozella.

On March 29,2019, Rita Wilson released her fourth album, Halfway to Home which included "Throw Me a Party", a song inspired by her survival from breast cancer.

In July 2020, Rita Wilson appeared on Jimmie Allen's Bettie James EP, collaborating on the song "When This Is Over" with Tauren Wells and The Oak Ridge Boys.

In October 2020, Rita Wilson was featured on the single "Pink" alongside Dolly Parton, Monica, Jordin Sparks and Sara Evans.

In 2022, Rita Wilson collaborated with Sebastian Yatra on the single "Til You're Home" from the soundtrack to the film A Man Called Otto.

On March 29,2023, Rita Wilson attended the White House's Greek Independence Day celebration hosted by President Biden alongside other prominent Greek-Americans.

Rita Wilson has been a contributing editor to Harper's Bazaar magazine, writing over twenty-one articles.

Rita Wilson has two sons with Hanks, Chet and Truman.

Rita Wilson is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.

In 2015, Rita Wilson signed an open letter on which the ONE Campaign had been collecting signatures.

Rita Wilson contributed to the Moffitt Cancer Center by donating "True Hearts" jewelry made of sterling silver and 14k gold.