Early Life and Education of Tom Hanks: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Tom Hanks. A timeline of key moments.

Tom Hanks, an iconic American actor and filmmaker, is renowned globally for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. He ranks as the fourth-highest-grossing American film actor and has garnered numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. He is also the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award (2002), the Kennedy Center Honor (2014), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016), and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (2020), solidifying his status as a cultural icon.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1952: Birth of Samantha Lewes

In 1952, Samantha Lewes was born.

1977: Birth of Colin Hanks

In 1977, Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes, was born.

1978: Marriage to Samantha Lewes

In 1978, Tom Hanks married American actress Samantha Lewes.

1981: Meeting Rita Wilson

In 1981, Tom Hanks met actress Rita Wilson on the set of the TV comedy Bosom Buddies.

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1982: Birth of Elizabeth Hanks

In 1982, Elizabeth Hanks, daughter of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes, was born.

1984: Hanks became a fan of Aston Villa

Since 1984, Tom Hanks has been a fan of the English Premier League club Aston Villa.

1985: Reunion with Rita Wilson on Volunteers set

In 1985, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were reunited on the set of Volunteers.

1987: Divorce from Samantha Lewes

In 1987, Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes divorced.

1988: Marriage to Rita Wilson

In 1988, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson married after Hanks converted to her Greek Orthodox faith.

1995: Birth of Truman Hanks

In 1995, Truman Hanks, Tom Hanks's younger son, was born.

2002: Death of Samantha Lewes

In 2002, Samantha Lewes, Tom Hanks's ex-wife, died at the age of 49 from bone cancer.

2004: First Espresso Machine Donation

In 2004, Tom Hanks donated an espresso machine to the White House press corps after learning they did not have a coffee pot.

March 10, 2008: Induction of The Dave Clark Five into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On March 10, 2008, Tom Hanks inducted The Dave Clark Five into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama

During the 2008 United States presidential election, Tom Hanks uploaded a video to his MySpace account endorsing Barack Obama.

2008: Opposition to Proposition 8

In 2008, Tom Hanks was outspoken about his opposition to Proposition 8, an amendment to the California constitution that defined marriage as a union only between a man and a woman. He helped raise over US$44 million to campaign against the proposition.

January 2009: Criticism and Apology Regarding Proposition 8

In January 2009, Tom Hanks called supporters of Proposition 8 "un-American" and criticized LDS Church members. About a week later, he apologized for the remark.

2010: Second Espresso Machine Donation

In 2010, Tom Hanks donated new espresso machines to the White House press corps.

2011: Son Chet's rap song release

In 2011, Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks's older son, released a rap song.

October 2013: Diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes

In October 2013, Tom Hanks announced on Late Show with David Letterman that he has type 2 diabetes.

2013: Starring in Lucky Guy on Broadway

In 2013, while starring in Nora Ephron's Lucky Guy on Broadway, Tom Hanks drew crowds of 300 fans after each performance, the highest number for any Broadway performance.

May 8, 2016: Guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs

On May 8, 2016, Tom Hanks was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, where he chose Richard Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra by the Vienna Philharmonic, A World Lit Only by Fire by William Manchester, and a Hermes 3000 typewriter and paper as his favorite disc, book, and luxury item, respectively.

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2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Tom Hanks endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

April 2017: Boycott of the NFL

In April 2017, Tom Hanks stated he would boycott the NFL for two years after the Raiders filed for relocation to Las Vegas.

2017: Third Espresso Machine Donation

In 2017, Tom Hanks donated new espresso machines to the White House press corps, accompanied by a note.

July 2018: Devastating wildfire near Athens

In July 2018, a devastating wildfire ripped through the seaside village of Mati, near Athens, killing more than 100 people.

2018: Attribution of Diabetes Condition

In a 2018 interview, Tom Hanks attributed his type 2 diabetes condition to a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices.

November 2019: Discovery of relationship to Fred Rogers

In November 2019, shortly before the release of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Tom Hanks learned through Ancestry.com that he and Fred Rogers were sixth cousins.

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December 27, 2019: Honorary Greek citizenship

On December 27, 2019, the President of Greece signed an honorary naturalization order for Tom Hanks and his family, making them Greek citizens due to their "exceptional services to Greece".

April 11, 2020: Hosting Saturday Night Live After COVID-19 Diagnosis

On April 11, 2020, Tom Hanks hosted Saturday Night Live, marking his first television appearance since his COVID-19 diagnosis. It was also the first episode after the show's hiatus due to the pandemic.

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July 2020: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson photographed with Greek passports

In July 2020, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were photographed with their Greek passports alongside the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and his wife.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Tom Hanks endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

March 2, 2022: Interview on Dead Eyes Podcast

On March 2, 2022, Tom Hanks was interviewed on Connor Ratliff's podcast "Dead Eyes", 22 years after allegedly firing Ratliff from "Band of Brothers" due to his "dead eyes".

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