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 is a highly acclaimed and globally recognized American actor and filmmaker, celebrated for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. A cultural icon and one of the highest-grossing American film actors, he boasts an impressive array of awards, including two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. He has also received the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award, solidifying his significant contributions to the film industry.

Sections (4)

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

1978: Marriage to Samantha Lewes

In 1978, Tom Hanks married American actress Samantha Lewes.

1981: Meeting Rita Wilson on Bosom Buddies set

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

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1984: 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 the movie Volunteers.

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1987: Divorce from Samantha Lewes

In 1987, Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes divorced.

1988: Marriage to Rita Wilson

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

1995: Birth of son Truman

In 1995, Truman, the younger son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, was born.

2000: Included in Forbes' List of Top Celebrities

In 2000, Tom Hanks was included on Forbes' list of the top ten most powerful celebrities in the world.

2001: Band of Brothers release and 9/11 Tribute

In 2001, Tom Hanks co-directed and produced the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers", which won an Emmy Award. He also appeared in the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" television special following the September 11 attacks.

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2002: Death of Samantha Lewes

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

2002: Included in Forbes' List of Top Celebrities

In 2002, Tom Hanks was included on Forbes' list of the top ten most powerful celebrities in the world.

2003: Ranked Among Top Movie Stars and Celebrities

In 2003, Tom Hanks was voted Number 3 in Channel 4's countdown of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars of All Time and was included on Forbes' list of the top ten most powerful celebrities in the world.

2004: Donation of Espresso Machine to White House Press Corps

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

August 2007: Legal action initiated for My Big Fat Greek Wedding profits

In August 2007, Tom Hanks, along with Rita Wilson, Gary Goetzman, and Nia Vardalos, initiated legal action against Gold Circle Films to claim their share of the profits from the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".

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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, and helped raise over US$44 million to campaign against it.

January 2009: Apology for Proposition 8 Remarks

In January 2009, Tom Hanks apologized for calling supporters of Proposition 8 "un-American," saying that nothing is more American than voting one's conscience.

2010: Donation of New Espresso Machines to White House Press Corps

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

2011: Son Chet Releases a Rap Song

In 2011, Chet Hanks, the older son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, released a rap song.

October 2013: Hanks Reveals Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

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

2013: Starring in Lucky Guy on Broadway and Fan Following

In 2013, while Tom Hanks was starring in Nora Ephron's play Lucky Guy on Broadway, he had an exceptionally large crowd of around 300 fans waiting to see him after each 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 items.

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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 NFL After Raiders Relocation

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 Donation of Espresso Machine to White House Press Corps

In 2017, Tom Hanks donated another espresso machine to the White House Press Corps with a note encouraging them to "Keep up the good fight for Truth, Justice, and the American Way".

July 2018: Advocacy After Mati Wildfire

In July 2018, Tom Hanks and his family were conferred honorary citizenship for their role in bringing global attention and appealing for aid after a devastating wildfire that ripped through the seaside village of Mati, near Athens.

2018: Hanks attributes diabetes to genetics and lifestyle

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

November 2019: Discovery of Relation 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 Granted

On December 27, 2019, Tom Hanks and his family were granted honorary citizenship by the President of Greece for their exceptional services to Greece.

April 11, 2020: Hosts 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 a unique episode featuring remotely filmed sketches from cast members' homes.

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July 2020: 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", where they discussed Ratliff's firing from "Band of Brothers" due to Hanks' alleged belief that Ratliff had "dead eyes".

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March 24, 2022: Officiated a Wedding in Pittsburgh

On March 24, 2022, it was reported that Tom Hanks, an ordained minister, recently officiated a wedding in Pittsburgh.

2022: Son Truman portrays younger version of Hanks' character in A Man Called Otto

In 2022, Truman Hanks portrayed the younger version of his father Tom Hanks' character in the film A Man Called Otto.

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2023: Founded Hanx for the Troops Coffee Company

In 2023, Tom Hanks founded Hanx for the Troops, a coffee company that supports veterans and military families through a portion of its profits and various initiatives.