“Tom and I worked together in harmony, and ultimately that is what I believe made this film a classic,” says the former actor, now 42.

Sleepless in Seattle child actor Ross Malinger reflects on ‘genuine’ and lasting Tom Hanks friendship

"Tom and I worked together in harmony, and ultimately that is what I believe made this film a classic," says the former actor, now 42.

By Patrick Gomez

Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' Follow the Texas Native at @PatrickGomezLA wherever your media is social for all things 'For All Mankind' 'Top Chef,' and puppy related.

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Published on August 14, 2025 10:00AM EDT

Ross Malinger and Tom Hanks in 1993 film 'Sleepless in Seattle'. Credit:

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

It's been 32 years since theater audiences melted at Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's *Sleepless in Seattle* finale atop the Empire State Building. But while the marquee names were the film's romance, its heart was all child star Ross Malinger — something that has stayed with fans, even if they aren't entirely sure what he looks like anymore.

"Everywhere I go, people are always telling me that I look familiar,” says Malinger, 42, who played young Jonah, the matchmaking son of Sam (Hanks), in Nora Ephron's 1993 film.

Malinger, who was 8 during production, recalls off-camera moments with Hanks: "We were filming at the fish market and were waiting around to start rolling, and Tom kept picking up different fish and moving their mouth and making them say goofy things," Malinger says. "He was always joking around and making me laugh."

Their connection continued beyond the film, with Hanks inviting him to the premiere of his other 1993 film, *Philadelphia*, and 1996’s *That Thing You Do!*.

"We genuinely cared about each other," says Malinger. "That natural chemistry allowed me to really bring a lot of intensity and emotion to Jonah’s character."

The 15 best Empire State Building moments in movies and TV

Rita Wilson improvised part of her unforgettable 'Sleepless in Seattle' monologue

Malinger took on more than 20 TV and film roles post-*Sleepless*, including six episodes of *Party of Five* and series regular roles on the CBS sitcom *Good Advice* and the WB comedy *Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher*. He also voiced T.J. on the first season of *Recess*, and concluded his acting career in 2006 with an episode of *Without a Trace*.**

A photo of Ross Malinger from 2010, provided to People Inc. in 2013 and first published in 's Feb. 15/22, 2019 issue.

Courtesy Ross Malinger

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After quitting acting, Malinger got married in his late 20s, and worked as a classic-car restorer before starting a small IT and computer-repair business and eventually as a finance manager for a car dealership company. But he will always remember his time on the *Sleepless* set fondly.

"After filming our fight scene, Nora told me that she knew this was going to be a very special film," he says of a dramatic scene between him and Hanks. "Tom and I worked together in harmony, and ultimately that is what I believe made this film a classic."**

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Movies”