Actress and singer Rita Wilson has unveiled a massive new back tattoo in a topless photograph posted to her Instagram account on Saturday, turning heads ahead of her 70th birthday.
The mother of two and wife of Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks posed with her back facing the camera to highlight the elaborate ink, sharing the photo alongside a series of candid snapshots to mark the release of her new single.
"STRANGER WITH AGE? Who? Me? I’m lovin’ it! Who else is stranger with age? STRANGER WITH AGE song is out everywhere," Wilson captioned the social media post.
Known as a versatile entertainer in Hollywood, Wilson has enjoyed a decades-long career as both an actress and a musician. As an actress, she starred in hit films such as Sleepless in Seattle, Now and Then, and Runaway Bride, while also producing box-office successes including My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Her music career includes several studio albums blending country and pop influences.
Resemblance to Chet Hanks Tattoo
The new back artwork closely resembles the large back tattoo worn by her 36-year-old son, Chet Hanks.
Chet, a born-again Christian, unveiled his own extensive back tattoo in 2023, publicly describing his spiritual journey and expressing his devotion on social media. When revealing his ink three years prior, Chet explained that it was his life's "purpose" to serve God.
"There's only on thing the world needs more of and that's God," Chet wrote at the time.
Chet, whose full name is Chester Hanks, is the elder son of Wilson and Hanks. He has pursued careers in acting and music, appearing in television series such as Empire and Shameless.
Faith and Prayer Routine
Like her son, Wilson has frequently spoken about the cornerstone role faith plays in her daily life as a devout member of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Speaking to Jesus Calling in 2019, Wilson detailed how her family embraced her religious tradition. "My dad converted to Greek Orthodoxy, and then Tom, who was baptized Catholic, converted to Greek Orthodoxy, and both my kids are Greek Orthodox," she shared.
Wilson explained that every morning begins before she even gets out of bed. "I’m a big believer in prayer. It’s the way I start my day, so I don’t get out of bed without saying a prayer of gratitude. It’s funny, because it’s like I want to say, “Are you getting bored hearing all this?” Because it’s like, “I’m thankful for this and I’m thankful for that,” and I just go through my list," she told the outlet.
"I pray for the people that are struggling or need a little bit of extra support. But I really do start my day with a prayer of gratitude, and I'm saying prayers throughout the day. I think everybody, well, not everybody, but a lot of people do that. So for me, it’s just a part of my day," Wilson added.
Greek Orthodoxy is an Eastern Orthodox Christian denomination rich in traditional liturgy and spiritual disciplines, placing strong emphasis on continuous prayer and familial faith practices.
Marriage and Family Life
Wilson's personal life has long been centered around her marriage to two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks.
The couple first met in 1981 while co-starring on the television sitcom Bosom Buddies. They tied the knot in 1988 and celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary on April 30.
Bosom Buddies, an American comedy series that ran from 1980 to 1982, launched Hanks into mainstream television before he achieved global stardom with Oscar-winning performances in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.
Wilson and Hanks share two sons, Chet, 36, and Truman, 30. Truman works in film production and has also appeared on screen. Hanks also shares two children from his previous marriage to actress Samantha Lewes: son Colin Hanks, 48, an established actor who has starred in Fargo and Band of Brothers, and daughter Elizabeth Hanks, 44.
The couple are also grandparents to three grandchildren: Colin's daughters Olivia and Charlotte, and Chet's daughter Michaiah.
Social Media Tributes
Wilson frequently highlights her relationship with Hanks in celebratory social media posts.
While her online post for her birthday this year was accompanied by candid pictures, her 2023 birthday tribute to Hanks when he turned 67 was particularly elaborate.
Writing online three years ago, Wilson called Hanks "my lover, my best friend, my family, the father of my children."
She praised his unique quirks and charitable endeavors, writing: "He loves a typewriter just slightly less than me, (why is there no typewriter emoji?) invents cocktails like Diet Cokecaine ( Diet Coke mixed with Champagne) or a Cokearita (Diet Coke mixed with margarita), DJs regularly on @bossradio66, is happiest being surround by his family and friends, and has committed to telling the stories of veterans and has created his own coffee brand supporting veterans, @givehanx Hanx for our Troops."
"He is one of the smartest people I know, has made me laugh everyday for 38 years, can nap anywhere at anytime. Happy happy birthday my love!" she concluded alongside a row of festive birthday emojis.
Wilson, who will celebrate her birthday in October, continues to balance her musical releases with her long-standing family life in Los Angeles.
