Tom Hanks

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Rita Wilson (wife since 1988)

photo twitter / RitaWilson

Date of birth: October 26, 1956

Tom Hanks tells that he is blessed with such wife as Rita. Their way to happiness was not short – when two actors met, Wilson was dating another man and Tom was married. Their affair lasted during 3 years, and just after that Hanks dared to leave his first spouse. Then Forrest Gump star wasn’t so self-confident and popular as he is now. His best roles were just ahead of him at that time. Tom couldn’t promise his young wife rich and luxurious life. But he promised Rita to love her with all her weak points.

After more than 30 years of marriage Mr. Hanks understood, that his wife has no weak points. She is a great woman, loving mother and understandable wife. So, what do we know about this great personality?

Born Margarita Ibrahimoff spent her young years in Los Angeles, CA. The girl’s parents Dorothea and Hassan Ibrahimoff were born in Greece and in late 40s immigrated to USA. After moving to a new country, Hassan changed his religion (from Islam to Christianity) and his name. In USA he was known as Allan Wilson. By the way, Hanks opened up, that he modeled his character Navorski (“The Terminal”) from Rita’s father.

Wilson dreamed to become an actress from the earliest years. She made her debut in early 1970s as a TV actress. She caught the viewers’ eyes as Pat from “The Brady Bunch”. After that she participated in a number of other series, including “Happy Days” and “Flying High”.

photo instagram / ritawilson

Having made the great start, Rita continued to develop her initial success and appeared in many hit films and series, the most popular of which are “Mad About You”, “The Story of Us”, “The Good Wife” etc.

Alongside successful career of an actress, Rita developed her creative skills of a producer. The young woman participated in making the great movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, which earned $368 million worldwide with a budget just $5 million. So, Wilson turned to be really talented as a producer.

In 2012 Tom Hanks wife tried her hand in another area – music. She released through Decca Records her debut album “AM/FM”.

Rita is really close with her popular husband. Tom supported his wife in 2015, when she was diagnosed with breasts cancer. With Hanks help, the actress defeated the dangerous disease. “I follow doctor’s instructions to live longer”, Rita said.

Now it’s even hard to believe, that Hanks could live without Wilson. But in late 1970s he had another wife.

Samantha Lewes (ex-wife; married in 1978-1987)

Date of birth: November 29, 1952

Date of death: March 12, 2002

Samantha Lewes and our today’s hero Tom Hanks didn’t manage to build a strong family. Nevertheless, they were together during almost 10 years, and gave a birth to two kids. So, she played an important part in his life.

Her real name is Susan Jane Dillingham. She changed her name for Samantha Lewes, when decided to become an actress. Unfortunately, she hadn’t become successful in this area and participated in just few projects, including “Bosom Buddies”.

She grew up in San Diego, California and after graduation from school she entered Sacramento State University. There she met an ambitious young man Tom. They dated during a couple of years and later tied a knot. Sam and Tom became parents at a very early age – he was 21 and she was 25. It was a great responsibility for both to care about their son and be providers for him at such age.

It was Lewes, who helped Tom understand, that acting was his cup of tea. She supported her loved one in his career beginnings.

They separated in 1987. Both understood that their marriage didn’t work. But Hanks and his first wife remained friends. The woman died from bone cancer in 2002. She is survived by her kids Colin and Elizabeth.

Colin Hanks (son with Samantha Lewes)

photo instagram / colinhanks

Date of birth: November 24, 1977

When Colin Hanks told his mother Samantha, that he wants to be an actor, she immediately sent him to his father’s place. Having started his career with his father’s support, nowadays Colin is absolutely popular and independent from his stellar dad.

He has his own wide circle of fans, who never get tired to watch his great films – “Orange County”, “The Great Buck Howard” and others.

Tom Hanks eldest son was born in 1977, a little earlier before his parents’ marriage. He inherited his father’s eyes and lips, as well as his talent to acting.

He spent his young years in Sacramento, CA and owns a house there now. Colin attended Sacramento Country Day School there and then continued his education at Loyola Marymount University, which he left without getting a degree.

Hanks Jr debuted in 1996. After that, he developed his skills as an actor in three different directions – movie actor, TV actor, and theater actor. His most popular TV series are “Roswell” and “Life in Pieces”, where he plays the leading part. Among his theater works there’s a role in “This Is Our Youth”, which was staged in one of London’s theaters.

In his free time, Colin likes to watch baseball matches. He is a big fan of the Giants. And the actor spends time with his daughters Olivia and Charlotte, whom he welcomed with his wife Samantha Bryant.

According to his father’s words, Colin is a better actor than Tom himself. In addition, he has an opportunity to choose the roles he likes, because he is quite an affluent person. In his young years, Tom Hanks didn’t have such an opportunity.

Through his eldest son Colin, Tom has 2 granddaughters, Olivia Jane Hanks (born in 2011) and Charlotte Bryant Hanks (born in 2013). The girls’ mother is Colin’s wife Samantha Bryant, an actress. They tied a knot in 2010.

Elizabeth Hanks (daughter with Samantha Lewes)

Date of birth: May 17, 1982

Elizabeth Anne Hanks resided with her mother in Los Angeles, California, but she moved to her parents’ house after Samantha’s death. Then Elizabeth was just 20 years old.

She studied at Californian Archer School for Girls and later entered the Scottish University of St. Andrews.

Although the girl tried her hand as an actress and appeared in a number of movies, such as “Forrest Gump” and “That Thing You Do!” But she didn’t follow in her father’s and older brother’s steps and became a writer. She served as an editor at Huffington Post. As for now, the woman is working on her own novel.

Since 2021 Elizabeth is in relations with Tadashi Sato, the Japanese researcher.

Chester Marlon Hanks (son with Rita Wilson)

Date of birth: August 4, 1990

Chet Hanks is the first son of actress Rita Wilson and the third one of Golden Globe multiple-winner Tom Hanks. Although his father tried his best to care about all his kids, not each of them has become popular and successful. In fact, Chet, who started his career as an actor and rapper, lost most part of his opportunities because of drug addiction.

He rose to fame as a cute student from “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and as Jimmy from “Fantastic Four”. In 2011 the young man released a hip-hop song.

But he didn’t become popular and well-paid, because of his addiction. Chet made experiments with various substances since he turned 16. No need to say, that Mr. Hanks Jr has a lot of problems.

Two years ago Chet announced through social media, that he has just welcomed a daughter. He told that his child is his reason to stay sober.

The name of his daughter is Michaiah. The girl was born in April 2016. Her mother is Tiffany Miles, an African-American woman. Chet supported his girlfriend during the anti-racial protests, which followed George Floyd’s death.

Chester continues making a career as an actor and musician. He released the tracks “Ticket Out My Head” and “Harley” in 2020 as a part of a duo “Something Out West”. In 2021 he appeared on an episode of the TV show “NCIS: New Orleans”. Among his other recent screen works is his participation in the film “Greyhound”.

According to his Instagram account, Chet is a big fan of sports. He uploads photos from the gym regularly.

As for now, Tom supports his beloved son Chet both, emotionally and financially. The actor pays $2, 800 monthly rent for the man’s house in Santa Monica.

Truman Theodore Hanks (son with Rita Wilson)

Date of birth: December 26, 1995

Truman, who has always been interested in Mathematics and Physics, finished The Thacher School in Ojai, CA. After that, he entered Stanford University to study Mathematics.

Among Truman’s interests, there’s toy making (he participated in the production of a popular toy Skylander) and hockey (he is a fan of a popular hockey team Los Angeles Kings).

In 2019 Truman debuted on the big screen. He was featured in the movie “Charlie’s Angels”, directed by Elizabeth Banks. In 2021 the young man appeared in 2 films in a row, “Wrath of Man” with Jason Statham and “Black Widow” with Scarlett Johansson.

Amos Mefford Hanks (father)

Date of birth: March 9, 1924

Date of death: January 31, 1992

One of actor’s parents, Amos Hanks, grew up in Glenn County, CA. He married Janet Marylyn Frager at a very early age, and they welcomed 4 kids together. Unfortunately, their marriage didn’t last for long. They parted their ways in 1960, and from that moment Tom resided in his father’s home (together with his sister Sandra and brother Larry). The youngest siblings of a movie star Jim remained in the house of their mother.

Mr. Hanks told in his multiple interviews, that his parents’ divorce was the most tragic event in his childhood. His parents didn’t try to explain their kids, what was happening, that why Tom and his siblings had no support from their parents in this situation.

In 1966 Amos re-married Frances Wong Gee. After 18 years of marriage, the couple filed for divorce.

Amos earned his living as a cook. To develop his career, he moved from one place into another, working in various Californian restaurants. During 5 years only Hanks and his brother and sister changed 10 residences.

The actor’s father encouraged him to start career in food service too, but the teenager refused. “Dad, you never talk about your job, so you don’t like it”, the boy answered.

Tom Hanks parent spent his last days in Oakland, CA. He died in 1992.

Janet Marylyn Frager-Hanks (mother)

Date of birth: January 18, 1932

Date of death: July 7, 2016

Tom Hanks is the distant relative of US President Abraham Lincoln from his mother’s side. The actor has always been close with his mother, although he mentioned once, that he had “four fathers” because of her.

Janet was born in Alameda County, CA. Her father Clarence Frager died, when she was still a kid. The girl was mostly raised by her mother Elexio.

She got great education at the University of California. In late 1940 she married a cook Amos and had 4 kids with them (including our today’s hero).

After her divorce to Mr. Hanks, she moved to Tehama County, CA, where she married Richard Cook. They divorced after several years of marriage. Janet’s third husband was George Walston and she lived with him in Red Bluff. Finally, the woman married her fourth husband Rudolph Turner, whose surname she took and with whom she lived till his death in 2010.

As Red Bluff citizens tell, Janet was a kind generous person, who was always ready to help. She worked hard, having started her career as a waitress at Burton’s Coffee Shop. Later she was appointed in the same shop as a bookkeeper.

In early 1970s Tom Hanks mother turned into a nurse. She was a member of Nursing Home Association and travelled all over the country to help ill people.

The kind woman died in July 9, 2016. Tom Hanks as well as his wife Rita Wilson shared the sad news through Instagram.

Sandra Hanks (older sister)

Sandra Benoiton-Hanks is not just the big sister of a stellar actor Tom, but also a mother of 2 adopted kids and a popular writer and blogger.

Her childhood could hardly be called perfect. The girl moved with her father and brothers from one place to another. She started her career at a very early age and tried a great variety of jobs, including nurse, music manager and many others.

She was 17-year-old girl, when she welcomed her first child. Being a single parent, the woman joined her studying with odd jobs and caring about her kid.

As for now, Tom’s sister is a mother of 4 great children. The last one she welcomed at the age of 55. Not all Sandra’s kids were born by her. She adopted some of them, and learnt everything about this procedure from both, legal and emotional points of view. It inspired her to write a book on this topic, which had become a bestseller.

Having changed a number of places, Sandra moved to Seychelles. There she married Mr. Benoiton, but they split later.

Now Sandra Hanks enjoys her calm life in a big house at Seychelles, which faces Indian Ocean. She earns her living as a writer and blogger. She stays in touch with her siblings and kids via Skype.

Larry Hanks (older brother)

Date of birth: January 26, 1953

Lawrence Michael Hanks is another celebrity in the family. He serves at the University of Illinois for more than 20 years. The man is a famous professor in entomology, and his name is known to each person, who has any connection to this area.

Larry graduated from the University of California in 1978 with a bachelor degree. Later he earned doctor degree in the University of Maryland.

Jim Hanks (younger brother)

Date of birth: June 15, 1961

The youngest brother of Tom Hanks is his colleague. He is a film maker and actor, known by the roles in such films as “Inferno”, “A Leading Man” and others. Jim is married to an actress Karen Praxel. They have a kid together.

After his parents’ divorce Jim stayed in his mother’s house, so he grew up apart from his three older siblings, who were brought up by their father. He spent his early years in Red Bluff, where he attended college. After college Jim started to earn his living as a waiter. He joined it with acting classes. Now Hanks Jr is known as a voice actor, film producer and movie actor.