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 a cultural icon. He is one of the highest-grossing American film actors, celebrated for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. Hanks's accolades include two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards, along with numerous nominations. He has received prestigious honors such as 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.

Sections (4)

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

1977: Birth of son Colin

In 1977, Tom Hanks' son, actor Colin Hanks, was born.

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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1982: Birth of daughter Elizabeth

In 1982, Tom Hanks' daughter, Elizabeth, was born.

1984: Becoming a fan of Aston Villa

Since 1984, 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.

1995: Birth of Son Truman

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

2002: Death of Samantha Lewes

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

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 against Gold Circle Films

In August 2007, Hanks, along with co-producers Wilson and Goetzman and writer and star Nia Vardalos, initiated a legal action against the production company Gold Circle Films for their share of profits from 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'.

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March 10, 2008: Induction of The Dave Clark Five into 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: 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, raising over US$44 million to campaign against it.

January 2009: Apology for Remarks on Proposition 8 Supporters

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 Machine to White House Press Corps

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

2011: Son Chet Releases Rap Song

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

2012: Narration of The Road We've Traveled

In 2012, Tom Hanks narrated a documentary, The Road We've Traveled, created by Obama for America.

October 2013: Diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes

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

In 2013, Tom Hanks starred in Nora Ephron's "Lucky Guy" on Broadway, attracting crowds of fans after each performance, more than any other 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, choosing 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.

A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance: Portrait of an Age

Check it on Amazon

2016: Attendance at 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 to raise money for impoverished children in Armenia.

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 Oakland Raiders filed for relocation to Las Vegas.

2017: Donation of New Espresso Machine to White House Press Corps

In 2017, Tom Hanks again donated new espresso machines to the White House press corps, accompanied by a note that read, "To the White House Press Corps, Keep up the good fight for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Especially for the truth part."

July 2018: Role in Bringing Global Attention to Wildfire in Mati

In July 2018, Tom Hanks, along with his wife Rita Wilson, played a role in bringing global attention and appealing for aid after a devastating wildfire that ripped through the seaside village of Mati, near Athens.

2018: Attributes Diabetes to Genetics and Lifestyle

In a 2018 interview, Tom Hanks further 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 Conferred

On December 27, 2019, the President of Greece signed an honorary naturalization order for Tom Hanks and his family, making them Greek citizens, citing 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. The show featured remote sketches due to the pandemic.

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July 2020: Photograph with Greek Passport

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 for the season three finale of Connor Ratliff's podcast 'Dead Eyes', addressing an incident from 22 years prior where Ratliff was allegedly fired from Band of Brothers due to Hanks believing he had "dead eyes".

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March 24, 2022: Officiating a Wedding in Pittsburgh

On March 24, 2022, CBS News reported that Tom Hanks, an ordained minister, had recently officiated a wedding in Pittsburgh.

2022: Son Truman Portrays Younger Version of Character in A Man Called Otto

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

2023: Founding of Hanx for the Troops

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.

2025: Cancellation of Sylvanus Thayer Award Ceremony

In 2025, Tom Hanks was to receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) in recognition of his support for veterans, the military, and America's space program, but the ceremony was cancelled.