Early Life
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California. His parents divorced when he was just five, and Tom lived a nomadic childhood, moving frequently with his father, a cook. By the time he was ten, he had lived in ten different homes and switched schools repeatedly.
These early years of instability shaped his adaptability and deepened his empathy—traits that would become trademarks of his acting style.
Despite being shy and somewhat socially awkward, he found solace in theater during high school. Encouraged by teachers, he studied drama at Chabot College, then transferred to California State University, Sacramento—though he never completed his degree.
Theatre Roots & TV Breakthrough
In the late 1970s, Hanks earned a fellowship at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Ohio, where he spent three transformative summers learning stagecraft and classical performance. This Shakespearean foundation helped him later blend comedy with emotional nuance.
In 1980, he landed his first major screen role in the sitcom Bosom Buddies, where he played a man disguising himself as a woman to live in an affordable women-only apartment building. While quirky, the role showed his comedic timing and charisma.
From Comedy to Drama
Hanks spent the 1980s growing steadily, with roles in:
- Splash (1984)
- Big (1988) – his first Oscar nomination
- Turner & Hooch (1989)
But it was the 1990s that transformed him into a screen legend. With back-to-back Oscars for:
- Philadelphia (1993), where he played a gay man with AIDS fighting workplace discrimination
- Forrest Gump (1994), a slow-witted but kind-hearted man whose life intersects with key moments in U.S. history
He became only the second actor in history to win consecutive Best Actor Oscars.
Later Career & Cultural Impact
From there, Hanks became a symbol of decency, reliability, and emotional depth. His filmography spans across decades and genres:
- Apollo 13 (1995)
- Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- The Green Mile (1999)
- Cast Away (2000)
- Captain Phillips (2013)
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
- Elvis (2022)
He is also the beloved voice of Woody in Pixar’s Toy Story series, making him a fixture in millions of childhoods.
Behind the Camera
Hanks is not just an actor—he’s an accomplished writer, director, and producer, particularly in historical and war-themed projects. His collaborations with Steven Spielberg on Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Masters of the Airshowcase his reverence for real-life heroism and military history.
He even published a collection of short stories, Uncommon Type (2017), highlighting his love of typewriters and storytelling.
Personality & Personal Life
Tom Hanks is known for his humility, humor, and grace. He’s famously down-to-earth, often helping fans, posing for photos without hesitation, and even returning lost items to strangers.
He married actress Rita Wilson in 1988, and their enduring relationship is considered one of Hollywood’s strongest. They’ve faced challenges—including both contracting COVID-19 in 2020—but have emerged with humor and honesty.
Little-Known Stories
- Everyman Ritual: Hanks collects old typewriters and travels with at least one everywhere. He’s known to send friends typed letters on real paper.
- Fan Letters: When a boy wrote to him requesting help to avoid bullies, Hanks responded with a heartfelt letter and a vintage typewriter.
- NASA Buff: After Apollo 13, Hanks co-founded the space-themed nonprofit National Space Society and still champions space exploration.
– Tom Hanks is more than an actor—he’s a cultural institution. From historical dramas to children’s animation, he brings warmth, authenticity, and hope to every role. In 2022, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
