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 American actor and filmmaker recognized globally. He is celebrated for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles, making him an American cultural icon. Hanks is the fourth-highest-grossing American film actor. He's received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. His contributions have been further honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
July 9, 1956: Tom Hanks' Birth
On July 9, 1956, Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born in Concord, California.
1977: Birth of Colin Hanks
In 1977, Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes had one son, actor Colin Hanks.
1978: Marriage to Samantha Lewes
In 1978, Tom Hanks married American actress Samantha Lewes.
1979: Move to New York City
In 1979, Tom Hanks moved to New York City to pursue his acting career.
1981: Met Rita Wilson
In 1981, Tom Hanks met actress Rita Wilson on the set of TV comedy Bosom Buddies.
1982: Birth of Elizabeth Hanks
In 1982, Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes had one daughter, Elizabeth.
1984: Became Fan of Aston Villa
Since 1984, Tom Hanks has been a fan of the English Premier League club Aston Villa.
1985: Reunited with Rita Wilson
In 1985, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were reunited on the set of Volunteers.
1986: Acting Classes
In 1986, Tom Hanks discussed his experience in acting classes and his passion for theater with New York magazine.
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 Hanks, Tom Hanks's younger son, was born.
2002: Death of Samantha Lewes
In 2002, Samantha Lewes, Tom Hanks's ex-wife, passed away at the age of 49 due to bone cancer.
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 lacked one.
2008: Endorsed 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 "Un-American" Remark
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: Top 10 College Dropouts
In 2010, Time magazine named Tom Hanks one of the "Top 10 College Dropouts".
2010: Donated New Espresso Machines
In 2010, Tom Hanks donated new espresso machines to the White House press corps.
2011: Chet Hanks Released Rap Song
In 2011, Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks's older son, released a rap song.
2012: Narrated The Road We've Traveled
In 2012, Tom Hanks narrated The Road We've Traveled, a documentary created by Obama for America.
October 2013: Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
In October 2013, Tom Hanks disclosed on Late Show with David Letterman that he has type 2 diabetes.
2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Tom Hanks endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
April 2017: Boycott of NFL Announced
In April 2017, Tom Hanks stated that he would boycott the NFL for two years after the Raiders filed for relocation to Las Vegas.
2017: Donated Espresso Machine with Note
In 2017, Tom Hanks donated an espresso machine to the White House Press Corps with a note about truth and justice.
July 2018: Devastating Wildfire in Mati
In July 2018, a devastating wildfire ripped through the seaside village of Mati, near Athens, Greece, which killed more than 100 people.
2018: Attributed Condition to Genetics and Lifestyle
In a 2018 interview, Tom Hanks attributed his type 2 diabetes to a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices.
November 2019: Discovery of Relation to Fred Rogers
In November 2019, Tom Hanks learned through Ancestry.com that he and Fred Rogers were sixth cousins.
December 27, 2019: Honorary Greek Citizenship
On December 27, 2019, Tom Hanks and his family were granted honorary Greek citizenship by the President of Greece for their "exceptional services to Greece".
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 and his wife.
2020: Endorsed Joe Biden
In 2020, Tom Hanks endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential election.
March 24, 2022: Officiated a Wedding
On March 24, 2022, it was reported that Tom Hanks, an ordained minister, officiated a wedding in Pittsburgh.
2022: Truman Hanks Portrayed Younger Version of His Father
In 2022, Truman Hanks portrayed the younger version of his father's character in A Man Called Otto.
2023: Founded Hanx for the Troops
In 2023, Tom Hanks founded Hanx for the Troops, a coffee company that supports veterans and military families.
