Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson on Their Trying Year: "Faith Saved Our Family" - Closer Weekly

Over dinner at West Hollywood’s Nobu, a characteristically upbeat Tom Hanks regaled his family with humorous stories and wisecracks. Tom, wife Rita Wilson, son Colin Hanks and Colin’s wife, Samantha, were spotted laughing, chatting and making a toast over a leisurely two-hour meal on April 30.

“They seemed to be having an amazing time,” one onlooker told Closer. “They even splurged on dessert!” And when they left, the whole family exchanged hugs and kisses. The warm embrace of family time means more to Tom and Rita, both 59, than ever before, now that they’ve put the most traumatic year of their lives behind them by relying on their faith.

Tom, Rita and their son Chet in August 2010.

In 2015, Rita was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy, and their son Chet Hanks has battled substance abuse. And while Tom strained to control his Type 2 Diabetes and its side effects, the couple were also hit with a lawsuit as a result of Chet’s actions. Yet during these dark times, Tom and Rita leaned on their faith to provide them the strength and hope that saw them through.

Tom and Rita have received a great many blessings in their years together, but over time, their faith has been put to the test — especially when the life of Chet, 25, hung in the balance. In 2014, Chet entered rehab for cocaine and alcohol addiction but relapsed a few months later. In 2015, his erratic behavior kept both Tom and Rita up at night.

Tom and Rita in February 2014.

“It was bad. Worse than people know,” a close friend of the family shared of Chet’s troubles. “Rita’s faith carried her through his disappearance and the many other times that he has taken off and stopped communicating.” In a disturbing incident, Chet rear-ended a car while driving his parents’ automobile, allegedly under the influence. The man in the other car is now suing Tom and Rita for injuries and negligence.

Rita’s mettle was also tested when she was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, a form of breast cancer, and underwent a double mastectomy in April 2015. “Tom was there for her every step of her cancer battle. They are a tremendous support system for each other,” explained the insider. “She gives total credit for her survival to her ever-increasing belief in God — and then second comes her doctors and then Tom!”

To read the full story on Tom, Rita and their family, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now!