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 popular American actor and filmmaker, recognized globally as an American cultural icon. He is one of the highest-grossing American film actors, boasting numerous 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 Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, solidifying his significant contributions to the film industry.
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.
1982: Birth of Elizabeth Hanks
In 1982, Elizabeth Hanks, daughter of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes, was born.
1984: 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
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.
1995: Birth of Truman Hanks
In 1995, Truman, the younger son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, 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 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: Lawsuit over 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'.
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.
January 2009: Apology for remarks on Proposition 8
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: Second Espresso Machine donation to White House press corps
In 2010, Tom Hanks donated new espresso machine to the White House press corps.
2011: Son Chet releases rap song
In 2011, Chet, the older son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, 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.
May 8, 2016: Guest on Desert Island Discs
On May 8, 2016, Tom Hanks was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, choosing Richard Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra, A World Lit Only by Fire by William Manchester, and a Hermes 3000 typewriter as his favorite items.
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 relocated to Las Vegas.
2017: Third Espresso Machine donation to White House press corps
In 2017, Tom Hanks donated a new espresso machine to the White House press corps, accompanied by a note about truth and justice.
July 2018: Wildfire in Mati, Greece
In July 2018, a devastating wildfire ripped through the seaside village of Mati, near Athens, which killed more than 100 people, leading to Hanks' efforts in bringing global attention and appealing for aid, which eventually led to him becoming an honorary Greek citizen.
2018: Hanks attributes diabetes to genetics and lifestyle choices
In a 2018 interview, Tom Hanks further attributed his type 2 diabetes condition to a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices.
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.
December 27, 2019: Honorary naturalization as Greek citizen
On December 27, 2019, the President of Greece signed an honorary naturalization order for Tom Hanks and his family, making them Greek citizens.
April 11, 2020: Saturday Night Live Hosting After COVID-19 Diagnosis
On April 11, 2020, Tom Hanks hosted Saturday Night Live, marking his first television appearance since his COVID-19 diagnosis. He delivered an opening monologue remotely and did not appear in any sketches.
June 2020: Greyhound Theatrical Release Cancelled
In June 2020, 'Greyhound', a war film starring and written by Tom Hanks, was initially set for theatrical release by Sony Pictures, but its distribution rights were bought by Apple TV+ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 2020: Greyhound Released on Apple TV+
In July 2020, 'Greyhound', a war film starring and written by Tom Hanks, was released on Apple TV+ after its theatrical release was cancelled.
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', 22 years after Ratliff was allegedly fired from 'Band of Brothers' due to Hanks believing Ratliff had "dead eyes".
March 24, 2022: Officiated a wedding in Pittsburgh
On March 24, 2022, it was reported that Tom Hanks, an ordained minister, officiated a wedding in Pittsburgh.
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.
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