Tom Hanks surprises local bride

[left-of-center2012]

Tom Hanks spent the last few days proving to Pittsburghers why he’s considered one of the nicest guys in Hollywood.

It was announced in January that Hanks would be returning to star in “A Man Called Otto,” his first time shooting a movie in the Steel City since playing Fred Rogers in 2019’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” This role finds Hanks playing a grump and widower who finds a new lease on life. It’s the second big-screen adaptation of the 2012 Fredrik Backman novel “A Man Called Ove.” When the cameras aren’t rolling, Hanks has made Pittsburghers’ days simply by being himself.

Luke and Grace Gwaltney got married on Saturday at Oakland’s Carnegie Music Hall. Prior to their nuptials, Grace and her bridal party got ready Downtown at the Fairmont Pittsburgh with photographer Rachel Rowland. As they were about to leave, Hanks suddenly appeared. “So we were all walking from the hotel to the limo, and out of nowhere, he pops up and just says, ‘My name is Tom Hanks! Can I take a photo with the bride?’” Rowland told the Post-Gazette. “We all started screaming and were pretty much in shock.”

Gwaltney and her bridesmaids hustled out of the limo and posed for photos with the two-time Oscar winner. “He was just as wonderful and charming as you’d assume,” Rowland said. “His wife, Rita [Wilson], was there and got in some photos, too.”

https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2022/03/21/tom-hanks-movie-a-man-called-otto-ambridge-pittsburgh-wedding-bridal-party/stories/202203210021

[left-of-center2012]

1. 'He made my whole day'

Ashley Glass, a 35-year-old stay-at-home mother, was surprised Thursday when a gaggle of vehicles started pulling up outside her house around 6:30 a.m. It turned out they were with the production of “A Man Called Otto,” which happened to be shooting in Ambridge last week.

One of Glass’ five children, 2-year-old Charles, was particularly riveted by all the action. He is a big fan of cars and trucks, so he enjoyed watching through a window as they gathered on nearby Merchant Street. He also got a kick out of folks throwing around a football during filming breaks.

Mother and son were watching Hollywood unfold before their eyes when they received a huge surprise: Hanks noticed them, walked over near the house and gave the Glasses a hearty wave. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, he’s walking over here!’” Glass told the Post-Gazette. “I hurried up and got my phone. He came over and was talking to us. I was starstruck. I didn’t even know what to say.”

“I was in shock, honestly,” she said. “I couldn’t even say anything but, ‘Oh my God, oh my God!’” She said Hanks asked how old Charles was and told them to come see the movie when it’s released. Glass said she had “never in my whole life been close to anyone famous” before that brief interaction with Hanks.

Facebook video
https://www.facebook.com/100074286183569/videos/1042909996573992/

https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2022/03/21/tom-hanks-movie-a-man-called-otto-ambridge-pittsburgh-wedding-bridal-party/stories/202203210021