Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks
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Name:
Tom Hanks
Real name:
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks
Who is:
, ,
Birth date:
(69 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Concord, California, U.S.
Height:
6'0 ft ()
Weight:
161 lb (73 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Tom Hanks

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Tom Hanks Biography

Tomas Jeffrey Hanks is a legendary American actor, scriptwriter, director, producer, and winner of multiple awards and accolades including two «Oscars» and proud owner of a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Net worth: $400 million.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks

Early life

Tom Hanks was born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California. He was the third child in a large family, with two brothers: Jim and Larry and a sister Sandra. His father Mefford Hanks worked as a cook in a local restaurant and his mother Janet Marylyn (née Frager) worked at a hospital and was a distant relative of Abraham Lincoln.
Little Tom Hanks on his mother`s hands
Little Tom Hanks on his mother`s hands
His parents divorced when he was just 5 years old and all the kids, except Larry who was the youngest, stayed with their father. He had very little involvement in raising the children. He was always busy at work and spent what little free time he had with women. Constantly moving from town to town, Tom wasn't able to establish any long-term friendships and grew up as a shy and introverted kid. By the time he turned 15, he had changed schools five times and struggled to maintain good grades.
Tom Hanks in his school years
Tom Hanks in his school years
But there was another reason for his lack of commitment to education – theater. As a child, he spent most of his free time watching plays and performances, and at age 12 became part of a troupe performing in children's plays. His father wasn't impressed by Tom's hobby, claiming that it wouldn't bring any money to the family, but Hanks had already decided that he wants to become an actor.
Young Tom Hanks in children`s play (1974)
Young Tom Hanks in children`s play (1974)
After graduating from high school, Tom Hanks was accepted at the University of California and began studying dramatic acting and stage skills. At first, he was quite enthusiastic but quickly became disappointed with the educational approach, which he found bland, old-fashioned, and boring. The young actor wanted to express himself in a more experimental and innovative way, while the university emphasized conventional and dry theory.
Tom Hanks in his youth and now
Tom Hanks in his youth and now
During his first year at the university, he met Vincent Dowling, head of the Great Lakes Theater Festival, who got him his first real job backstage. For the next three years, Tom worked on set and costume design, lighting, and even gained his first directorial experience. Through this job he gained a solid understanding of all the intricacies of theater life and, when the opportunity arose, left the university to start touring with a small Cleveland troupe.

Acting career

Meanwhile, Tom settled into married life with his fellow student Samantha Lewes. Their son Colin was born in 1977 and Hanks had to seriously think about putting food on the table. The young family moved to New York City, a city of great opportunities, and Hanks started hitting up theaters and studios looking for work. Like most young actors, Hanks's first big screen appearance came through TV series work. In 1984 up-and-coming director Ron Howard noticed the actor and gave him a role in his movie «Splash». Tom delivered a masterful performance, but the movie didn't bring him the popularity he craved or the financial stability his family needed. By this point he had two kids to support, forcing him to keep taking roles in low-quality series and trashy movies like 1984's «Bachelor Party».
Tom Hanks in «Bachelor Party»
Tom Hanks in «Bachelor Party»
Everything changed drastically after the massive success of the fantasy comedy «Big» in 1988, where Hanks starred as a boy magically transformed into an adult. He snagged this role over stars like Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, and Robin Williams, establishing himself as a premier young American actor. His fresh and unique acting style allowed him to claim the «Golden Globe» award and his first «Oscar» nomination. The huge payday from his performance solved all of his family's financial problems. After «Big»'s success, Hanks became hot property in the comedy market. Over the next few years he scored major roles in «Turner and Hooch» (1989), «Punchline» (1988), and «The 'Burbs» (1989). The inevitable mishaps and film failures along the way couldn't hold back a young actor who had finally hit his stride.
Tom Hanks in «Big»
Tom Hanks in «Big»
In 1992 Tom Hanks broke away from his comedy persona to play a rude, abusive, perpetually drunk coach in «A League of Their Own». The movie held special significance for Hanks as his directorial debut, starring none other than Madonna.
Tom Hanks in «Sleepless in Seattle»
Tom Hanks in «Sleepless in Seattle»
His role as a charming single dad in 1993's «Sleepless in Seattle» brought Tom and co-star Meg Ryan a fresh wave of popularity. That same year, Tom Hanks snagged his first «Oscar» for playing a gay businessman dying from HIV in «Philadelphia». His outstanding performance in the 1994 hit «Forrest Gump», universally regarded as one of the best films of all time, brought a second «Oscar» to his trophy case and elevated him as a world-class actor.
«Forrest Gump» trailer
By the mid-90s, it looked like the actor had struck gold. Nearly every Hanks movie was considered a blockbuster and earned Academy Award nominations. Theaters were flooded with masterpieces like «Saving Private Ryan» (1998), «The Green Mile» (1999), and «Cast Away» (2000).
Tom Hanks and Matt Damon in «Saving Private Ryan»
Tom Hanks and Matt Damon in «Saving Private Ryan»
The outstanding performances by Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio in «Catch Me If You Can» made it the movie highlight of 2002. Tom reunited with Meg Ryan in «You've Got Mail» and later paired with Julia Roberts in the comedy «Larry Crowne».
Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio in «Catch Me If You Can»
Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio in «Catch Me If You Can»
His portrayal of Robert Langdon in screen adaptations of Dan Brown's novels «The Da Vinci Code» (2006), «Angels & Demons» (2009), and «Inferno» (2016) earned praise from critics and audiences alike. At this point, Tom Hanks could finally choose his projects and build his career exactly how he wanted. The actor continues performing in films, surprising fans with his incredible range and depth.
«Inferno» trailer
Hanks' films have grossed nearly $4 billion, making him one of Hollywood's highest-grossing actors. Surprisingly, «Toy Story 3», where he voiced Sheriff Woody, became the most profitable project of his career.
Tom Hanks voiced over Sheriff Woody in «Toy Story» series
Tom Hanks voiced over Sheriff Woody in «Toy Story» series
At the beginning of 2017, Tom Hanks appeared in the new Steven Spielberg movie «The Post». Unfortunately, the movie was boycotted due to political reasons in fourteen Arabic countries of the anti-Israeli coalition. In early 2018, Steven Spielberg's new film "The Secret Dossier" starring Tom Hanks was released worldwide. Unfortunately, the film was banned in fourteen Arab countries for political reasons related to their boycott of Israel.
«The Secret Dossier»: trailer

Personal life

Tom Hanks married his Sacramento University classmate Samantha Lewes in 1978, and they had son Colin and daughter Elizabeth. The family struggled financially so much that they sometimes couldn't afford to repair their car. Samantha wasn't satisfied with their financial situation, and the couple constantly argued and quarreled.
Tom Hanks and his first wife, Samantha Lewes
Tom Hanks and his first wife, Samantha Lewes
Hanks and Rita Wilson met on set in 1985, but despite their mutual love and passion, they had to wait three long years before they could officially marry. For a long time, Tom couldn't bring himself to leave his family and only decided to file for divorce in 1987. After all these years, the actor still feels guilty about leaving his children from his first marriage.
His second wife Rita is of Greek origin and an Orthodox Christian. To have a big traditional Greek wedding and follow all Orthodox customs, Hanks had to convert to the Greek Orthodox Church. Rita gave birth to two children: Chester Marlon Hanks (1990) and Truman Theodor Hanks (1992).
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson
Of Hanks' four children, only the oldest son Colin decided to follow in his father's footsteps. Chester also considered becoming an actor but ultimately chose a career as a rap musician. Unfortunately, he became addicted to drugs, which became a huge challenge for him and his parents to overcome.

Tom Hanks now

In his sixties, Tom Hanks remains incredibly active, constantly appearing on the big screen, producing new projects, writing movie scripts, voicing animated characters, and even making guest appearances in music videos. Americans adore Hanks and many consider him to be a national hero. According to Harris Poll, American viewers have chosen Hanks as their favorite actor five times.
Frame from the film "Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"
Frame from the film "Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"
In 2019, the actor re-voiced the cowboy Woody in the fourth part of Toy Story, and also appeared in the film "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood". Hanks plays Fred, an elderly, optimistic television presenter who meets a cynical young journalist (Matthew Reese). Fred's sincerity and openness gradually break down the wall that his new acquaintance built around himself.
Tom Hanks in 2020
Tom Hanks in 2020
In 2020, at least three films featuring Tom Hanks hit the big screen. These include the military drama "Greyhound," the sci-fi film "BIOS," and the Western "News of the World." It is known that Hanks will appear in a biographical film about Elvis Presley (the expected release date is 2021) and will probably play Giuseppe in the film adaptation of the fairy tale "Pinocchio".

In March 2020, Tom Hanks and his wife fell ill with the coronavirus during a vacation in Australia, but they managed to recover quickly.

Tom Hanks: latest news and articles

  • Tom Hanks has always been able to play good in dramas. He just fits so well in that kind of movies and he can show the atmosphere of the movie very great.
    2021-05-11 18:10:18
  • Hanks is such a sweetheart and he played in many roles :) But I still can`t handle his cuteness and can`t take him seriously.
    2021-04-19 22:13:14
  • An example of an actor who can deal with every role very well.
    2021-04-12 15:37:34
  • I remember I watched Forrest Gump I was 18 years old but I still remember how Hanks played there.
    2021-04-09 20:34:35
  • I adore The Green Mile with him, it`s a movie for the ages.
    2021-03-05 12:32:40
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