Tom Hanks has been seen telling angry fans to “back off” after his wife, Rita Wilson, was cornered while leaving a restaurant in New York.
The actor is currently promoting his latest film, Elvis, in which he plays Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. While leaving a restaurant and getting into a waiting car on Wednesday, Hanks and Wilson were approached by several fans who asked for selfies.
Hanks is seen yelling at the group for tripping his wife. The footage, which contains strong language, has been uploaded to YouTube.
In the video, a security guard is seen clearing a way for Hanks and Wilson to pass through the crowd as they exit the restaurant. Some members of the waiting crowd are seen trying to take selfies with the pair.
But when Wilson travels, apparently as a result of being accidentally pushed by some members of the group, she turns and firmly tells a fan to “stop it”.
Hanks then turns to face the group, puts his hands in the air, and shouts: “That is my wife, back the expletive off.” He looks at the group angrily, before adding: “Knocking over my wife.” The pair then leave the scene in a waiting car.
Some members of the group immediately apologize, and they can be heard saying: “Sorry for that, Tom.” BBC News has asked for comment from representatives of Hanks, who has been married to Wilson since 1988.
Although Hanks hasn’t had a physical relationship with any fans, he is the second Hollywood A-lister in recent months to publicly defend his wife after Will Smith’s feud with Chris Rock at the Oscars.