Rita Wilson Recalls Which Films, Actresses Sparked Her Love of Movies (Exclusive)

Rita Wilson is reflecting on cinematic echoes of the past.

The actress and producer, 68, revealed to PEOPLE in an exclusive chat at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 18, which movie stars and films sparked her love of the cinematic universe.

“I grew up in Hollywood, so I’ve been surrounded by the movies — went to the movies on, you know, Hollywood Boulevard at the Chinese Theatre,” Wilson says. “And I think it’s probably going to be The Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music and Mary Poppins — big Julie Andrews moment.”

The Sleepless in Seattle star continues, “But then later on, it came down to performances like Barbara Stanwyck in The Lady Eve, and, you know, in the ’70s, Jane Fonda in Coming Home and Klute.”

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Elaborating on what kind of roles and stories she wants to amplify and support, Wilson zeroed in on positivity created by female characters.

“As a producer, I still feel connected — very connected — to multi-generational films. I produced the [My Big Fat] Greek Wedding and the Mamma Mia franchises,” she explains. 

Wilson adds, “I am about females bringing some joy and light into the world, and if there’s music involved, that is icing on the cake.”

At the star-studded Academy Museum Gala, Wilson also imagined what an exhibit created by her would be devoted to at the museum.

“My exhibit would be all the great female performances over the course of history, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing that with the 100th anniversary coming up in 2028,” she says. “But I am a governor in the actors branch, and so I am in awe of the female performances we have had in almost 100 years.”