| Full Name | Thomas Jeffrey Hanks |
| Profession | Actor, Filmmaker |
| Date of Birth | July 9, 1956 |
| Birthplace | Concord, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Years Active | 1977–present |
| Known For | Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Saving Private Ryan |
Tom Hanks built a career on an everyman likability that made him a natural fit for comedy before he proved, across the 1990s, that he could carry some of American cinema’s most serious dramatic roles — winning back-to-back Best Actor Oscars along the way.
Early Life
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, to Amos Hanks, a chef, and Janet Hanks. His parents separated when he was five, and he was raised largely by his father, moving frequently before the family settled in Oakland, where Hanks attended high school and became involved in theatre.
Career Beginnings
Hanks performed with the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Ohio before moving to New York and, in 1980, landing the lead role in the sitcom Bosom Buddies. Guest appearances on shows including Happy Days led director Ron Howard to cast him in the 1984 hit Splash.
Breakthrough and Major Works
Hanks earned his first Academy Award nomination for Big (1988). He won consecutive Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia (1993), playing a lawyer fired after disclosing he has AIDS, and Forrest Gump (1994) — becoming only the second actor to win the award in consecutive years. He went on to star in Apollo 13 (1995), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Cast Away (2000) and The Green Mile (1999), while also voicing Woody across the Toy Story franchise.
| Full Name | Thomas Jeffrey Hanks |
| Born | July 9, 1956 – Concord, California, U.S. |
| Profession | Actor, Filmmaker |
| Years Active | 1977–present |
| Known For | Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Saving Private Ryan |
| Notable Awards | 2 Academy Awards for Best Actor |
Selected Filmography
| 1988 | Big – first Academy Award nomination |
| 1993 | Philadelphia – wins Academy Award for Best Actor |
| 1994 | Forrest Gump – wins second consecutive Best Actor Oscar |
| 1998 | Saving Private Ryan |
| 2000 | Cast Away |
| 2019 | A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, as Fred Rogers |
Personal Life
Hanks was married to actress Samantha Lewes from 1978 to 1987, with whom he had two children, including actor Colin Hanks. He has been married to actress Rita Wilson since 1988; they have two sons together.
Legacy
Hanks is regularly ranked among the highest-grossing actors in film history and received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award in 2002, at the time the youngest recipient of the honour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which films did Tom Hanks win Best Actor Oscars for?
Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994) — consecutive wins, a feat only one other actor had achieved before him.
What was Tom Hanks’s breakthrough role?
His performance in Big (1988) earned his first Academy Award nomination and established him as a leading man.
Does Tom Hanks still act?
Yes, he continues to act, direct and produce.
