Why Tom Hanks Credits Mister Rogers for Keeping His Marriage Strong

Tom Hanks says the secret to his longstanding marriage with his wife, Rita Wilson, is none other than a piece of advice he was given by Mister Rogers.

While speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Hanks, 67, explained that Rogers' philosophy on communication benefits more than just children learning how to navigate interpersonal relationships but that it could be helpful for adults, too.

"When my wife and I are going at it on those rare occasions, when she is letting me know that I'm not really listening to her and I'm trying to establish what the ground rules are [for the argument], when we're going at it like that, one of us will say, 'Well, you know what? You know what, honey? It's good to talk. It's good to say the things we feel,'" Hanks said. "And I learned that from Mister Rogers."

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It's not just the solid foundation for communication that keeps the couple going strong after all these years–35 to be exact–but their shared interests and commitment to quality time together, even if it means bonding while stirring pots over the stove.

"We make soup together," he continued. "Like, if we have a day off and there's nothing going on... it takes about two to three hours."

Related: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Divulge Secret to Being Good Grandparents

Despite taking advice from the showrunner and host of the beloved TV series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Hanks said he's nothing like the media personality. 

"I'm nothing like Fred Rogers in any way, shape, or form," he said. "Except, I think, I wake up in the morning thinking, 'Hey, it's a nice day, it's a good day. Let's try to make it a little bit better."

Hanks and Wilson married in 1988, and together they share two adult children, Truman Hanks and Chet Hanks. Hanks is also the father of actor Colin Hanks and author Elizabeth Hanks, whom he welcomed with his first wife Samantha Lewes.

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