Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks
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Name	Tom Hanks
Caption	Hanks in 2020
Birth date	9 July 1956
Birth place	Concord, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, filmmaker
Years active	1977–present
Spouse	Samantha Lewes (m. 1978; div. 1987), Rita Wilson (m. 1988)
Children	4, including Colin Hanks and Chet Hanks
Awards	Full list

Tom Hanks. Thomas Jeffrey Hanks is an American actor and filmmaker widely regarded as a cultural icon and one of the most popular and acclaimed film stars of his generation. Known for his everyman persona and versatility, his career spans comedic and dramatic roles across numerous genres. He has received numerous accolades, including two consecutive Academy Award for Best Actor wins, and his films have grossed over $4.9 billion in North America.

Early life and education

He was born in Concord, California, to Janet Marylyn Frager and Amos Mefford Hanks. His parents divorced when he was five, and he moved frequently with his father, a cook, and stepmother. He attended Skyline High School in Oakland and later studied theater at Chabot College before transferring to California State University, Sacramento. His early interest in acting was fueled by watching performances at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Cleveland.

Acting career

His early career was defined by television roles, most notably on the ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies. He transitioned to film with comedies like Splash for Disney and Big, the latter earning him his first Academy Award nomination. He established dramatic credibility with roles in Penny Marshall's A League of Their Own and Jonathan Demme's Philadelphia, winning his first Oscar. The following year, his portrayal of the title character in Robert Zemeckis's Forrest Gump earned him a second consecutive Academy Award. He later starred in major films including the Apollo 13, the Saving Private Ryan, and the Cast Away. He has frequently collaborated with director Steven Spielberg on projects like The Terminal and Bridge of Spies. He has also voiced the character Sheriff Woody in the Pixar Toy Story franchise. In recent years, he has starred in The Post, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and Elvis, and made his directorial debut with That Thing You Do!.

Personal life

He was married to actress Samantha Lewes from 1978 to 1987; they had two children, including actor Colin Hanks. He married actress and producer Rita Wilson in 1988, with whom he has two sons. He is a prominent supporter of the NASA space program, historical preservation, and various Democratic political candidates. In 2013, he disclosed he had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He and Wilson became Greek citizens in 2020. In 2020, he and Wilson contracted COVID-19 while in Australia, drawing significant public attention.

Filmography and awards

His extensive filmography includes over 80 film and television credits as an actor. His major award-winning performances are for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has also received Academy Award nominations for Big, Saving Private Ryan, and Cast Away. He has been honored with the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has also won numerous Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Public image and legacy

Often described as "America's Dad," he is celebrated for his relatable, decent on-screen persona and reputation for professionalism and kindness off-screen. He is considered a defining actor of modern American cinema, with his work in the 1990s particularly impacting popular culture. His advocacy for historical projects, such as executive producing the World War II miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific for HBO, has been widely praised. His legacy is cemented by his consistent box-office success, critical acclaim, and status as one of the most trusted and admired public figures in the United States.

Category:American film actors Category:Best Actor Academy Award winners Category:People from Concord, California