The actor Tom Hanks turns 68 today
Tom Hanks’s career is marked by an incredible range of roles that showcase his ability to portray both comedic and dramatic characters with equal finesse
The actor Tom Hanks turns 68 today
Tom Hanks, born Thomas Jeffrey Hanks on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, is one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood. He grew up in a broken family, with his parents, Janet Marylyn Frager and Amos Mefford Hanks, divorcing when he was five. Raised by his father, Hanks moved frequently, experiencing a somewhat turbulent childhood. This instability, however, contributed to his adaptability and resilience, traits that would later define his acting career.
Hanks’s interest in acting was sparked in high school and further nurtured at Chabot College in Hayward, California, and later at California State University, Sacramento. He dropped out of college to pursue acting, starting with local theater and moving to New York City in 1979. His breakthrough came with the television sitcom “Bosom Buddies” (1980-1982), where he played one of two men who disguise themselves as women to live in an all-female apartment building. Although the show was short-lived, it showcased Hanks’s comedic talent and led to guest roles on other TV shows.
His film debut was in the low-budget horror film “He Knows You’re Alone” (1980). However, it was his role in Ron Howard’s “Splash” (1984), a romantic comedy about a man who falls in love with a mermaid, that established him as a leading man in Hollywood.
Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Tom Hanks’s career skyrocketed. He starred in a series of successful comedies, including “Bachelor Party” (1984), “Big” (1988), and “Turner & Hooch” (1989). His role in “Big,” where he played a child who magically becomes an adult overnight, earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
The 1990s were a golden era for Hanks. He won back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for his performances in “Philadelphia” (1993), where he played a lawyer with AIDS, and “Forrest Gump” (1994), a film that became a cultural phenomenon. His portrayal of Forrest Gump, a man with a low IQ who unwittingly influences many historical events, solidified his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Hanks continued to deliver critically acclaimed performances in films such as “Apollo 13” (1995), “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), and “The Green Mile” (1999). His voice work as Woody in Pixar’s “Toy Story” series (1995-present) presented him to a new generation of fans.
In the 2000s and 2010s, he continued to star in a variety of roles, showcasing his versatility. Notable films from this period include “Cast Away” (2000), for which he received another Oscar nomination, “Catch Me If You Can” (2002), “The Terminal” (2004), “Captain Phillips” (2013), “Saving Mr. Banks” (2013), and “Bridge of Spies” (2015).
Hanks has also found success as a producer and director, with credits including “Band of Brothers” (2001) and “John Adams” (2008). His 2019 portrayal of Fred Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” earned him yet another Oscar nomination, highlighting his enduring appeal and talent.
Tom Hanks married actress Samantha Lewes in 1978, and they had two children, Colin and Elizabeth. The couple divorced in 1987. In 1988, Hanks married actress Rita Wilson, with whom he has two more children, Chet and Truman. Hanks and Wilson are known for their strong marriage and frequent collaborations in film and philanthropic efforts.
Hanks is an avid supporter of various charitable causes and has been involved in campaigns for veterans, environmental protection, and education. His down-to-earth personality and philanthropic endeavors have made him one of the most beloved figures in Hollywood.
Watch a compilation featuring scenes from every Tom Hanks’s movies up to 2022
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