When Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson Went To An In-N-Out, Their Fans Couldn’t Believe What They Did Next

Imagine being in line at In-N-Out Burger – only to see none other than Oscar winner — and all around legend — Tom Hanks queuing up in front of you. Pah! Dream on. Or not... For some lucky folks in California, that really happened. And rather than flying under the radar, Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, surprised their fans in a truly unforgettable way.

Unusual visitors

It was a few days before Christmas when Hanks and Wilson rolled up to the Fontana In-N-Out. And, naturally, it was a big deal. The restaurant is 50 miles or so from LA, so they don't generally have a lot of celebrity customers, but that all changed when Rita and Tom got a hankering for an In-N-Out patty.

Incognito mode: deactivated

When fans noticed the couple eating burgers, they snapped a few sneaky photos. Hanks and Wilson didn't seem to mind, either. They even struck up a conversation with the restaurant staff. But at that point, their behavior became less ordinary and more like that of two Hollywood A-listers on a mission to impress.

Showing his true colors

Before he waltzed into that In-N-Out, Hanks had already cultivated a very specific image for himself. He’s often touted as one of Hollywood’s most well-liked stars, and to his legions of fans he seems like a good guy. But we also know he’s an Oscar-winning actor, so his real-life personality could be totally different! And on that trip to Fontana, he appeared to show his true colors.

How much do we really know?

What do we really know about Hanks, after all? Perhaps we've just formed an opinion from his movies. He burst onto the Hollywood scene in 1984 in the comedy flick Splash. But it was 1989’s Big that proved he was a superstar — and a talented actor, too. He earned his first Academy Award nomination for that classic flick, in fact.

Finding flaws with Hollywood's Mr. Nice Guy

And at around the same time Hanks was in Big, his personal life took a turn for the better, too. He married fellow actor Wilson on April 30, 1988. The pair had actually met years earlier while he was still married to Samantha Lewes — his first wife and college sweetheart. Now they may have made it to an impressive 35 years, but could we have found a flaw in Hollywood's Mr. Nice Guy?

Love at first sight

Even as a married man, Hanks couldn’t deny the connection he felt to Wilson. He later described it to GQ, saying, “Rita and I just looked at each other and — kaboing — that was that. I asked Rita if it was the real thing for her, and it just couldn’t be denied.” And their bond remains strong more than three decades later, according to the Forrest Gump actor. Certainly strong enough to go to In-N-Out together!

Can they do no wrong?

It’s not just successful Hollywood careers that Wilson and Hanks have in common, either. The pair have made philanthropy a centerpiece of their union, and they've long been lauded for their impressive charitable efforts. For example, they've been honorary co-chairs of the Women’s Cancer Research Fund for several decades.

Devastating diagnosis

The cause is one that hits close to home for the actors. In April 2015, you see, Wilson released a statement to People revealing that she had undergone a double mastectomy after receiving a cancer diagnosis. In the same message, she revealed why she had gone public with the news — another act of goodwill.

“A second opinion is critical”

Wilson saw two doctors, and it was the second expert who found that she had cancer. So, she shared what happened “to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health.” And the actress emphasized that “early diagnosis is key” — a reminder that could help save countless lives.

Hanks says "no" to fuel

Hanks and Wilson are involved in other worthwhile causes, too. Hanks in particular has made environmentalism one of his main focuses, and he practices what he preaches. Not only does the actor invest in electric vehicles, but he also drives one of the fuel-free cars himself. And Hanks' good deeds don’t end there!

A good guy through and through

He's worked with the Hidden Heroes Campaign, which lobbies for more support for veterans, active military members and their caregivers. He's also lent a hand to charities raising funds and awareness for children’s diabetes, AIDS, rainforest preservation, women’s rights and space exploration. Phew! No wonder he has a reputation as a good guy.

Publicly celebrated

Although the married couple volunteer far from the limelight, they have been honored for their philanthropic efforts in recent years. The USC Shoah Foundation put on a star-studded celebration for the pair at a 2018 gala, where they won the Ambassadors for Humanity Award. Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw presented the accolade. On the night, Spielberg spoke highly of Wilson and Hanks before handing over their award. He said, “Hope. This is our greatest power. It is one embodied by our Ambassadors for Humanity, tonight’s honorees, a man and woman who are helping to solve some of today’s greatest riddles.”

Gaining a reputation

But not all of the pair’s good deeds have taken place in the name of a charity or cause. In their everyday lives, they've built a reputation for just being nice people. Yes, Hanks isn't only a good guy in the movies! And over the years, fans have shared stories about how the actors have been particularly kind to them.

Spotted something in the crowd

Take this perfect moment from 2008, for example, when Hanks was on the set of Angels & Demons. The actor, director Ron Howard and the movie’s crew had all gathered for filming outside the Pantheon in Rome. As they worked, though, Hanks noticed something in the crowd. And what he did next stunned the people that had gathered to see their hero.

A special chaperone

Production had kept passersby at bay, which became a huge problem for two people in particular who were outside the Pantheon that day. Luckily for the pair, Hanks saw the bride and her father struggling and immediately called for filming to be stopped. He realized that the pair had wanted to get into the ancient church for the woman's wedding! And like the true gentleman that he is, he even escorted them both into the building himself. 

Calling all Laurens

In another adorable story, Hanks found a student ID in a park and used his star power to reunite it with its owner. He blocked out the woman’s personal information before sharing a picture of the card to Twitter and writing, “Lauren! I found your student ID in the park. If you still need it, my office will get to you.”

Professor to the rescue

As it turned out, Lauren, a student at Fordham University, didn’t have a Twitter account. Luckily, one of her professors saw the tweet and showed her. So, she contacted the actor’s office, and they sent back the ID — with a note from the Toy Story actor himself. The message read, “Lauren, hold onto this! Tom Hanks.” Adorable!

All that glitters isn't gold

It’s important to remember that Hanks and Wilson are normal people — to an extent. And aside from all of their good deeds and philanthropy, the pair must find it hard to always live up to their shining reputations. In fact, Hanks has made an effort to counter his good-guy rep.

Thick skin

When he spoke to the Herald Sun in January 2020, he seemed at first to lean into the public perception of himself rather than step away from it. Soon after, though, he made a statement that could have shocked a lot of his fans. The actor said that he had built up some serious resilience over the years. That meant rumors or jokes about him had little if any effect. Hanks explained, “Listen, I’m 63 years old. There is nothing that you can say that will insult me at all. Absolutely nothing. It bounces off me.”

“The hammer comes down and it’s relentless”

But there was one thing that would set off the Sleepless in Seattle star if he was pushed far enough. Hanks admitted to the Herald Sun, “I’ll tell you this: if anybody takes advantage of my good nature, they’ll have hell to pay.” Hanks continued, “Anyone who has done it will say, ‘Oh, he’s not that nice a guy.’ Because when that happens, the hammer comes down and it’s relentless. I take care of business when it’s got to be taken care of.”

No more Mr. Nice Guy?

And this little-known side of the actor would be deployed when necessary. So could a trip to a fast-food joint cause Hanks to lose his cool? If he and his wife found themselves harassed by fans — and unable to enjoy their In-N-Out burgers — well, perhaps the nice guy would snap. That's what he suggested earlier, after all.

Causing a scene

But if you can’t imagine that happening, then you’d be right. Yes, Hanks’ trip to In-N-Out only saw him reinforcing the fact that he’s a good guy. We have the sneaking suspicion that the harsher side he spoke about only rears its supposedly ugly head very, very rarely. So what did Hanks and Wilson do for their unsuspecting fans that caused such a scene then?

An unusual stop-off point

It all started when Hanks and Wilson rolled up to the unassuming Fontana, California, In-N-Out. The city sits on the road to other Golden State tourist destinations, but it was still rare for stars to stop in here on their way to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree. That day, though, these two beloved A-listers had done just that.

Pull up a seat

You'd probably assume that fans went overboard when they saw not one but two huge stars in an unassuming, non-Hollywood location. But Hanks and Wilson were afforded the courtesy of walking into the In-N-Out like any other customer. And after receiving their food, they sat down to eat it in the restaurant, just like us regular folk. 

Keeping their cool

The couple didn’t dine and dash, either! Instead, they took a few minutes to chat with an employee at the burger joint. Then their fellow patrons couldn't resist any longer and started to approach the Hollywood A-listers enjoying their meal. And luckily for those fans, Rita and Tom had no problem taking the time to say hello.

A special greeting

In 2018 In-N-Out customer Meghan told E! Online, “Tom signed In-N-Out hats and took pictures with everyone. He was genuinely nice, laughing, talking with everyone and taking selfies!” A few fans shared their snaps with the internet at large, too. Meghan went on to add that as Hanks left the In-N-Out, he shouted a holiday greeting to everyone inside the restaurant. It was a few days before Christmas, after all. And while it may be hard to believe, that wasn’t his final kind gesture at the Fontana joint.

This one's on me

Another fan’s video — taken while in line at the In-N-Out’s drive-thru — shows Hanks standing in front of the take-away window. The actor then flips open his wallet and can be heard saying that he’s going to pay for the next few customers' orders. Yes, burgers and fries were on Mr. Hanks! Nice touch.

Time for a handshake

The people in line — including the woman recording the video — shout out their thanks to Hanks as he walks away. The actor smiles at them as he waves. Then he walks up to a fan in the parking lot, who reaches out for a handshake. After that, the Oscar winner hops into his car.

Always welcome in Fontana

Word quickly got out about Hanks’ visit to In-N-Out, and it inspired the city of Fontana to send the Hollywood couple a message through their Facebook page. The note read, “Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, made a surprise stop in Fontana on Friday. Welcome to Fontana! Please visit us again.”

The nicest guy in Hollywood

Neither Hanks nor Wilson responded to the message, and it isn’t clear whether they have returned to Fontana after causing such a frenzy. But they haven't pressed pause on their good-guy antics in any way. They've simply continued to carry that torch. Could Tom Hanks really be the nicest guy in Hollywood?

One lucky company

Well, it seems he is! In fact, just take this latest example as proof that Hanks truly is one of the nicest men of all time. At the end of February 2021, Late Show host Stephen Colbert dedicated some of his airtime to speaking on behalf of struggling small businesses. And he revealed that one company in particular would get a commercial free of charge while the show was still on air.

Foggy Pine Books

So, Colbert aired an ad for Foggy Pine Books – a bookstore based in Boone, North Carolina. And, wait for it, it featured a voiceover from none other than Sam Elliott and a testimonial from Hanks. The bookstore’s owner, Mary Ruthless, told The Watauga Democrat that the actors’ efforts had saved her business. To her, “it [meant] everything.”

Endless acts of kindness

To pitch in and lend a hand was no big ask for Hanks, though. The actor has supported charities, saved a wedding, returned an ID and bought his fans In-N-Out burgers. And it’s easy to imagine what the future holds for the beloved star and his wife: more acts of kindness that they won’t bother to advertise. That’s just what they’re like.