Meet the forgotten first wives of Hollywood’s biggest stars – including the woman who introduced Tom Cruise to Scientology
Forgotten First Wives of Hollywood’s Biggest Stars
By Katie Fitzpatrick | 7 days ago | Jan 10, 2026, 8:00 AM GMT
Before they became part of Hollywood’s most beloved power couples, these celebrities were married to women who are rarely seen on the red carpet or in the headlines. These women stood by their husbands before the fame and fortune, often stepping back to let them shine. From George Clooney’s brief marriage to Tom Hanks’ struggles with his college sweetheart, let’s delve into the lives of the women who knew and loved these A-listers before their rise to stardom.
George Clooney and Talia Balsam
George was married to Talia from 1989 to 1993.
Before George fell for human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2013, he was known as Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor. However, he wasn’t always single; George was married to actress Talia Balsam from 1989 to 1993. Their marriage was reportedly short and complicated.
George first met Talia, the daughter of stars Joyce Van Patten and Martin Balsam, in 1984 while starring in a local play. They split shortly after getting together but reconnected years later and tied the knot in Vegas in 1989.
The Oscar winner later reflected on the end of their marriage, describing it as his failure. “I probably – definitely – wasn’t someone who should have been married at that point. It was a very tough time. And in the middle of it all, I had a bleeding ulcer, and I was really sick.”
George married Amal Alamuddin in 2014 in a lavish Venetian ceremony.
“I just don’t feel like I gave Talia a fair shot. I was responsible for the failure of that marriage.” Talia went on to marry Mad Men star John Slattery in 1998, and they welcomed a son, Harry, a year later.
George later married Amal in 2014, and they welcomed twins Alexander and Ella in 2017.
Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes
Tom met Samantha at university in Sacramento.
Tom Hanks is clearly devoted to his wife, Rita Wilson, and they are the gold standard for long-lasting love in the spotlight. Before Tom and Rita became the golden couple, he was married to actress Samantha Lewes (real name Susan Dillingham) for almost ten years. The pair met while studying theatre at California State University in Sacramento and married in 1978, a year after welcoming their son, Colin Hanks.
They struggled in Los Angeles as Tom tried to find work in show business and welcomed their second child, Elizabeth, in 1982. Tom and Samantha decided to divorce in 1985, finalizing it in 1987, with Samantha being the primary caregiver for their children.
Tom and Rita fell in love on the set of Volunteers.
Tom went on to marry Rita, his Volunteers co-star, in 1988, and they later welcomed kids Chet and Truman. For more information on Tom Hanks’ early life, you can visit his Wikipedia page.
