Tom Hanks – The American Dad, Personal Life, Net Worth and Career

The veteran actor and filmmaker is a phenomenal talent. His films have grossed almost $10 billion worldwide. He is notable for his splendid performance in the film “Philadelphia” where he perfectly portrayed the complex life of a gay lawyer who is suffering from AIDS and “Forrest Gump” where he played as a young man having an IQ of 75 which is below-average.

Thomas Jefferson Hanks famously known as Tom Hanks. Hanks is a professional American actor. Jefferson is considered an important pillar in Hollywood especially when it comes to comedy and drama. He has been in the film industry since 1979.

Tom Hank’s Life Before the Spotlight

Tom Hanks was born and bred in Concord, California. He is the son of the couple, Amos Mefford Hanks, an English cook who travels from one place to another, and Janet Marylyn Frager, a Portuguese hospital worker. Unfortunately, the relationship between his parents did not work out. That’s when Tom grew up from a broken family. As a result of his parents’ divorce, when he was very young and moved from one house to another frequently.

Tom started his love for acting when he studied theatre at Chabot College and California State University. He kept honing his craft by spending ample time watching plays all by himself. It seems like early on in his life he already figured out what’s the thing that he is truly passionate about.

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What’s Establishing Career with Tom Hanks

Unlike any artist, at first, attention and recognition are highly elusive. But, Tom Hanks is an exception. The movie and theatre industry is way too competitive for anybody unless you’re a brilliant artist– and outstand among the artists.

In 1979, Hanks debuted “He Knows You’re Alone”. It is a slasher film shot when Hanks moved to New York. Although he started in a low budget film, that was literally just in the beginning.

A year later, he was offered a starring role in the television movie “Mazes and Monsters.” During the same year, he was the leading cast in the “The Mandrake” which was directed by Daniel Southern.

Critics had high hopes for Hank’s career. As a great example, co-producer Ian Praiser said that he won’t be on Television for long because in 2 years he will be a movie star. Yes, you read it right– a movie star! Praiser’s prediction was on point.

Tom – a movie star

In just a span of a few years, Hanks surprised Hollywood. In 1984 alone, Hanks appeared in the film “Splash” and “Bachelor Party”. Aside from that, during the same year, Hanks made a guest appearance a couple of times in TV shows. His most notable television appearance was when he got invited to “Family Ties” three times. He played as Ned Donnely, an alcoholic guy who is the brother of Elyse Keaton.

In 1993, he filmed “Philadelphia”. He played a gay lawyer who has been suffering from AIDS. The gay lawyer received a lot of discrimination. Critics said that this film made Hanks a top tier artist. His portrayal of the character was deeply felt. Later on, the blockbuster success of the movie led to the 1993 Academy Award. In his acceptance speech, Hanks revealed that his high school drama teacher and a former classmate were both gay– which he takes inspiration from.

In the next year, he starred again in the hit movie “Forrest Gump”. It is a comedy-drama film in which Forest is a man with a below-average IQ but never thinks that he is less of a man compared to others. The film is a box office hit because it grossed over $600 million worldwide. For the 2nd time, Hanks won the Academy Awards. A special feat in an actor’s resume!

After the two Academy Awards, from time to time the veteran actor has been a huge role from the film industry for the next two decades. It seems like every year he has been cast in a film. The most notable films Hanks had after that two blockbusters were:

• Apollo 13
• Da Vinci Code
• Captain Phillips
• Saving Mr. Banks
• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Tom Hank’s Net Worth

Tom Hanks has been in the industry for a long time. He had countless movies and endorsements that became big hits. Tom even had a record for the highest salary payout in a single film. He even acquired a whopping $15 million from the third movie of the franchise Toy Story. It is really a no-brainer that he is one of the elite actors of all time. Right now, his estimated net worth is $350 million.

Personal Life Tom Hanks

The Veteran Actor married to Samantha Lewes, an actress. They have blessed a son named Colin Hanks, also an actor. After 11 years, the couple divorced.

Right now he is having a fruitful marriage with Rita Wilson. The Couple met in 1981 in a set of “Bosom Buddies ”, a TV comedy.  They were both members of the Greek Orthodox Church because Hanks changed faith when he married Wilson way back in 1988. They have been seen together supporting their individual career for quite a long time now.

Unfortunately, during a film production in Queensland, Australia, Hanks and his wife tested positive for coronavirus on March 12, 2020. The avid supporters of the veteran actor were worried because of the complication due to Hanks’ old age. Good thing, the couple were both medically cleared right now.

Hanks is very vocal about worldwide issues. He supported Obama during his campaign. He even uploaded a video in his MySpace account in 2008 endorsing Barack Obama during the campaign period.

The veteran actor is also an advocate of same-sex marriage and alternative fuels.

Tom and His Children

Colin Hanks is the firstborn son of Tom to Samanta Lewes. He followed Tom’s footsteps of becoming an actor. Just like his father, Colin has been nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe award. Aside from his acting career, Colin owns “Hanks Kerchiefs”– a handkerchief company.

Elizabeth Ann Hanks is the second child and the only daughter of Tom to Samanta Lewes. Although she had some acting stints when she was a child, Elizabeth focused on her writing career.

Chet Hanks, the first son of Rita and Tom. Chet is an actor and rapper who has struggled with drug addiction. He is open about how he struggled and got out from addiction, Chet is now a proud sober. Since he became sober, Chet has been receiving good roles in his acting career.

Truman Theodore Hanks is the youngest of Tom’s children and his second child with Rita. Although Theodore is keeping a low profile than his siblings, his credits show that he has an interest in Hollywood. Theodore is the production assistant of The Cloverfield Paradox and Charlie’s Angels remake.

Interesting Things You Have to Know About Tom Hanks

1. Tom Hanks had a cameo in the film “The Simpson Movie”. It is quite controversial because, in the animated movie, it predicted that Tom Hanks will be quarantined. During early March, Hanks stated in the media that he and his wife tested positive for coronavirus when he is starting his film production in Australia. Coincidence, maybe?
2. Tom Hanks befriended an 8-year-old Australian who was bullied due to his name Corona. Corona Devries, a Queensland native wrote to Tom and Rita after he knew on the news that the couple had tested for coronavirus. Hanks responded quickly. He wrote a letter to the kid saying that the kid’s letter made the couple feel better. He also sent a corona a brand new typewriter as a commemoration gift to the kid.
3. When Hanks starred in the film “Angels and Demons”, it was said that his salary in the said movie will be a record in celebrity payout.
4. Tom Hanks was in the music video of Carly Rae Jepsen’s song “I really like you.” The story behind that was really casual and spontaneous. It was a dinner where a guy working for Carly asked Hanks to be part of the music video. Hanks said in an interview that he literally held a beer while being offered the part. Just like that, Hanks accepted the offer in an enthusiastic manner.

Related Questions about Tom Hanks

What movies Tom Hanks directed?

Tom is not only known for his great acting skills, but he has an impressive skill in directing, as well. He directed 4 films– Larry Crowne is one.

What was the breakthrough movie by Tom Hanks?

Tom Hanks had 2 breakthrough movies which he garnered two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor. The movies were Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.

Was Tom Hanks married before?

Yes, it may be hard to remember when Rita and Tom aren’t a couple, as they are married for 28 years. But, Tom Hanks married his college sweetheart. As he looked back at his decision of marrying Samanta Lewis, Tom claimed how young he was at that time and loneliness became a part of his decision.

Tom and Samanta had two children– Colin and Elizabeth. Although he claimed how young he and Samanta were, having their children is the greatest thing that happened to them. His children were his inspiration at that trying times.

Why did Samanta Lewes and Tom Hanks got divorced?

In 1987, Samanta Lewes and Tom Hanks got divorced. During his marriage with Samanta, he thought he had everything in order. But, the young couple struggled in different aspects, especially financially.

Although some speculated that Hanks got divorced so he could start a relationship with Rita Wilson. But, he cleared that accusation by strongly claiming that it was more than that.