Career Timeline of Tom Hanks: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tom Hanks made an impact.
Tom Hanks is a highly acclaimed American actor and filmmaker, recognized globally as a prominent film star and American cultural icon. He's renowned for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. Hanks is one of the highest-grossing American film actors of all time. He's earned numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. He's also a recipient of prestigious honors such as the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
1980: Bosom Buddies aired
In 1980, Bosom Buddies, a TV comedy starring Tom Hanks, was released.
1982: Bosom Buddies ended
In 1982, the TV comedy Bosom Buddies, where Tom Hanks starred, ended.
1993: Won Best Actor Academy Award for Philadelphia
In 1993, Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the movie Philadelphia.
1994: Won Best Actor Academy Award for Forrest Gump
In 1994, Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the movie Forrest Gump.
1998: Won Primetime Emmy Award for From the Earth to the Moon
In 1998, Tom Hanks won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work as a producer on the limited series From the Earth to the Moon.
2000: Starred in Cast Away
In 2000, Tom Hanks starred in Cast Away, directed by Robert Zemeckis, playing a FedEx systems analyst who becomes marooned. His performance was praised for its effectiveness and persuasiveness.
2001: Co-directed Band of Brothers
In 2001, Tom Hanks co-directed and produced the Emmy Award-winning HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. He also appeared in the September 11 television special America: A Tribute to Heroes and the documentary Rescued From the Closet.
2002: Won Primetime Emmy Award for Band of Brothers
In 2002, Tom Hanks won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work as a producer on Band of Brothers.
2004: Appeared in Three Films
In 2004, Tom Hanks appeared in three films: The Coen brothers' The Ladykillers, Spielberg's The Terminal, and Zemeckis's The Polar Express, where he played multiple motion capture roles.
2004: Donated espresso machine to White House press corps
In 2004, Tom Hanks donated an espresso machine to the White House press corps after learning they didn't have a coffee pot.
August 2005: Voted Vice President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
In August 2005, Tom Hanks was voted in as Vice President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
June 2006: Inducted as honorary member of United States Army Rangers Hall of Fame
In June 2006, Tom Hanks was inducted as an honorary member of the United States Army Rangers Hall of Fame for his portrayal of a captain in Saving Private Ryan, becoming the first actor to receive such an honor.
2006: Starred in The Da Vinci Code and Topped Forbes List
In 2006, Tom Hanks starred in The Da Vinci Code, which grossed over US$750 million worldwide. He also topped a 1,500-strong list of "most trusted celebrities" compiled by Forbes magazine.
2006: Received the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award
In 2006, the Space Foundation awarded Tom Hanks the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award for his contributions to public awareness of space programs.
April 11, 2007: Announcement of Hanks reprising Robert Langdon role with record salary
On April 11, 2007, it was announced that Tom Hanks would reprise his role as Robert Langdon in Angels & Demons and reportedly receive the highest salary ever for an actor.
August 2007: Initiated legal action regarding My Big Fat Greek Wedding profits
In August 2007, Tom Hanks, along with Rita Wilson, Gary Goetzman, and Nia Vardalos, initiated a legal action against Gold Circle Films for their share of profits from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
2007: Voice work for The War and The Simpsons Movie
In 2007, Tom Hanks did voice work for Ken Burns's documentary The War, reading excerpts from World War II-era columns. He also voiced himself in The Simpsons Movie and starred in Charlie Wilson's War.
March 10, 2008: Inducted The Dave Clark Five into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
On March 10, 2008, Tom Hanks was on hand at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to induct The Dave Clark Five.
2008: Endorsed Barack Obama for president
During the 2008 United States presidential election, Tom Hanks uploaded a video to his MySpace account endorsing Barack Obama.
2008: Starred in The Great Buck Howard and Executive Produced Mamma Mia!
In 2008, Tom Hanks starred in The Great Buck Howard and executive produced the musical comedy Mamma Mia! and the miniseries John Adams.
2008: Won Primetime Emmy Award for John Adams
In 2008, Tom Hanks won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work as a producer on John Adams.
2009: Starred in Angels & Demons and Produced Where The Wild Things Are
In 2009, Tom Hanks starred in Angels & Demons and produced Spike Jonze's Where The Wild Things Are, based on the children's book by Maurice Sendak.
2010: Donated new espresso machines to White House press corps
In 2010, Tom Hanks donated new espresso machines to the White House press corps.
2010: Reprised role in Toy Story 3 and Executive Produced The Pacific
In 2010, Tom Hanks reprised his role as Woody in Toy Story 3, which became the highest-grossing animated film at the time, and executive produced the miniseries The Pacific.
2010: Won Primetime Emmy Award for The Pacific
In 2010, Tom Hanks won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work as a producer on The Pacific.
2011: Directed and Starred in Larry Crowne and Starred in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
In 2011, Tom Hanks directed and starred in Larry Crowne and starred in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, a film about a boy's grief after his father dies in the 9/11 attacks.
2011: Narrated Killing Lincoln
In 2011, Tom Hanks narrated the television program Killing Lincoln.
2011: Attached to star in In the Garden of Beasts adaptation
In 2011, Tom Hanks was attached to star in an adaptation of the 2011 non-fiction book In the Garden of Beasts about American diplomat William Dodd's time in Nazi Germany.
2012: Narrated The Road We've Traveled
In 2012, Tom Hanks narrated The Road We've Traveled, a documentary created by Obama for America.
2012: Directed by Tom Tykwer for Cloud Atlas
In 2012, Tom Hanks starred in Cloud Atlas which was directed by Tom Tykwer. In April 2016 he starred in A Hologram for the King which was also directed by Tom Tykwer.
2012: Voiced Cleveland Carr for Electric City and Played Multiple Parts in Cloud Atlas
In 2012, Tom Hanks voiced Cleveland Carr for the web series Electric City, played multiple parts in Cloud Atlas, and was executive producer of the miniseries Game Change.
2012: Won Primetime Emmy Award for Game Change
In 2012, Tom Hanks won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work as a producer on Game Change.
2013: Received Tony Award nomination for Lucky Guy
In 2013, Tom Hanks received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in Nora Ephron's play Lucky Guy.
2013: Starred in Captain Phillips and Saving Mr. Banks and Made Broadway Debut
In 2013, Tom Hanks starred in the critically acclaimed films Captain Phillips and Saving Mr. Banks, earning nominations for his role in Captain Phillips. He also made his Broadway debut in Nora Ephron's Lucky Guy.
2013: Starred in Lucky Guy on Broadway
In 2013, while starring in Nora Ephron's play Lucky Guy on Broadway, Tom Hanks attracted crowds of 300 fans after each performance, which was the highest number of expectant fans post-show of any Broadway performance at the time.
August 2014: Released Hanx Writer iOS app
In August 2014, Tom Hanks released Hanx Writer, an iOS app meant to emulate the experience of using a typewriter, which quickly reached number one on the App Store.
2014: Published short story "Alan Bean Plus Four" in The New Yorker
In 2014, Tom Hanks's short story "Alan Bean Plus Four", which revolves around four friends who make a voyage to the moon, was published in The New Yorker.
March 2015: Appeared in Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You" Music Video
In March 2015, Tom Hanks appeared in the music video for Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You", lip-syncing the song's lyrics.
2015: Won Primetime Emmy Award for Olive Kitteridge
In 2015, Tom Hanks won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work as a producer on Olive Kitteridge.
April 2016: Starred in A Hologram for the King
In April 2016, Tom Hanks starred as Alan Clay in the comedy-drama A Hologram for the King, directed by Tom Tykwer.
2016: Attended Children of Armenia Fund gala
In 2016, Tom Hanks attended the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) gala concert in New York alongside fellow actor Leonardo DiCaprio, aiming to raise money for impoverished children in Armenia.
2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton for president
In 2016, Tom Hanks endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
2016: Starred in Sully and Inferno
In 2016, Tom Hanks starred as Captain Chesley Sullenberger in Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood. He also reprised his role as Robert Langdon in Inferno.
March 2017: Production progressing on Masters of the Air under the working title The Mighty Eighth
In March 2017, it was reported that production was progressing on Masters of the Air under the working title The Mighty Eighth.
October 28, 2017: Voiced David S. Pumpkins in The David S. Pumpkins Halloween Special
On October 28, 2017, Tom Hanks voiced David S. Pumpkins in The David S. Pumpkins Halloween Special, which aired on NBC, a character he had portrayed on Saturday Night Live.
2017: Donated new espresso machines with a note to White House press corps
In 2017, Tom Hanks donated new espresso machines to the White House Press Corps, accompanied by a note encouraging them to fight for truth and justice.
2017: Published Uncommon Type
In 2017, Tom Hanks published a collection of short stories, Uncommon Type, inspired by his typewriter collection.
July 2018: Advocated for aid after Mati wildfire
In July 2018, Tom Hanks and his family appealed for aid after a devastating wildfire in Mati, Greece, which killed over 100 people, contributing to them being granted honorary Greek citizenship.
October 11, 2019: Masters of the Air series announced to stream on Apple TV+
On October 11, 2019, it was announced that the war miniseries Masters of the Air would keep the original title and stream on Apple TV+.
2019: Reprised role in Toy Story 4 and Portrayed Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
In 2019, Tom Hanks reprised his role as Sheriff Woody in Toy Story 4, which became the highest-grossing film in the franchise, and portrayed Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, earning an Academy Award nomination.
April 11, 2020: Hosted Saturday Night Live After COVID-19 Diagnosis
On April 11, 2020, Tom Hanks made his first television appearance since his COVID-19 diagnosis by hosting Saturday Night Live, delivering an opening monologue remotely.
June 2020: Greyhound Initial Theatrical Release
In June 2020, Tom Hanks' war film Greyhound, which he also wrote, was initially set for theatrical release by Sony Pictures.
July 2020: Greyhound released on Apple TV+
In July 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, distribution rights for Greyhound were bought by Apple TV+, where the movie was released to positive reviews.
December 2020: Hanks confirmed to star as Geppetto in Pinocchio
In December 2020, Tom Hanks confirmed his involvment in Walt Disney Studios' live-action adaptation of Pinocchio, directed by Robert Zemeckis. The movie was released on September 8, 2022, by Disney+.
2020: Endorsed Joe Biden in the presidential election
In 2020, Tom Hanks endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential election.
2021: Starred in Finch
In 2021, Tom Hanks starred in the science fiction drama Finch, directed by Miguel Sapochnik, and released by Apple TV+.
March 2, 2022: Interviewed on Dead Eyes Podcast
On March 2, 2022, Tom Hanks was interviewed on Connor Ratliff's podcast Dead Eyes, 22 years after Ratliff was allegedly fired from Band of Brothers due to Hanks's perceived "dead eyes".
June 2022: Release of Elvis
In June 2022, Elvis, in which Tom Hanks starred as Tom Parker, the manager of Elvis Presley, was released to positive reviews.
September 8, 2022: Release of Pinocchio
On September 8, 2022, Walt Disney Studios' live-action adaptation of Pinocchio, in which Tom Hanks portrayed Geppetto, was released on Disney+.
2022: Son Truman played younger version of his father in A Man Called Otto
In 2022, Tom Hanks's son Truman portrayed the younger version of his father's character in the film A Man Called Otto.
May 2023: Published The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece
In May 2023, Tom Hanks's debut novel, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, was published.
June 2023: Asteroid City released in June 2023
In June 2023, Tom Hanks appeared in Wes Anderson's Asteroid City, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to mixed reviews.
2023: Founded Hanx for the Troops coffee company
In 2023, Tom Hanks founded Hanx for the Troops, a coffee company supporting veterans and military families.
January 26, 2024: Masters of the Air premiered on Apple TV+
On January 26, 2024, Masters of the Air, executive produced by Tom Hanks, premiered on Apple TV+.
April 2025: Hanks narrated NBC documentary series The Americas
From February to April 2025, Tom Hanks narrated the NBC documentary series The Americas.
May 2025: Hanks played supporting role in The Phoenician Scheme
In May 2025, Tom Hanks played a supporting role as Leland, a mistrustful investor, in Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme.
2025: Sylvanus Thayer Award ceremony cancelled
In 2025, Tom Hanks was to receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG), in recognition of his positive portrayal of the American service member, his support of veterans, the military, and America's space program, but the ceremony was cancelled.
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