Biography of Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is a legend of world cinema, a talented American actor, screenwriter and director, a successful producer, winner of two Oscars and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and just a good person. Star of the films “Forrest Gump”, “The Green Mile”, “Cast Away”, “The Terminal” and many other masterpieces. Hanks is rarely seen in action films or “popcorn blockbusters”; his films invariably teach viewers goodness and make them think about what is truly important.
In the photo: Tom Hanks
Do small nice things for your partner
Hanks and Wilson travel a lot. They were in almost every corner of the world. In addition, Rita travels with her husband to those cities where the next film with his participation is being filmed. Having lived together for 31 years, they still give each other little pleasant surprises.
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Tom leaves sweet notes for his wife near the phone or on the refrigerator. In them, he wishes his beloved a good day, a cheerful mood.
The actor collects antique typewriters. He already has more than 100 copies. He often prints something nice on them for his wife.
Sometimes it happens that Tom is far from Rita. Then he makes photo reports for her about how he spent the day. Tom takes pictures of the food he eats, the people he meets, the streets he walks on. He thinks Rita likes it.
Tom Hanks says that she is his wife, lover, girlfriend and mother at the same time. He cannot imagine his life without Rita.
Childhood and adolescence
The future actor was born on July 9, 1956 in Concord, California, and became the third child in a large family. He has brothers Jim and Larry and a sister Sandra. His father, Amos Mefford, worked as a cook in a local restaurant. Mother, Janet Marilyn Frager, a nurse, according to family legend, was a distant relative of President Abraham Lincoln.
Tom Hanks as a child (pictured on the right with his mother in his arms)
Tom was not yet five when his parents divorced, the older children stayed with their father, and his mother took one-year-old Jim. According to Tom, the divorce was the greatest shock to his childhood. The father did not have enough time to raise the children: he was always busy at work, and preferred to spend his leisure time with new girlfriends.
Parents of Tom Hanks in his youth
The family often moved from place to place, so Tom did not have time to make friends and grew up as an unsociable, withdrawn boy. By the age of sixteen, he had changed five schools, which did not have the best effect on his academic performance.
Tom Hanks in his school years
There was another reason why Hanks spent little time on school subjects. He had a favorite hobby - theater, to which he devoted all his free time. The boy often attended performances, and at the age of twelve he joined a drama club and began performing in children's productions. The father did not encourage his son’s “antics”, believing that this would not make money, but Tom firmly decided to become an actor and confidently walked towards his goal.
Tom Hanks in a school theater production (1974)
As a teenager, Tom watched Stanley Kubrick's A Space Odyssey. This is still the actor’s favorite film. “It captures everything why people go to the movies, no matter the year, the theme or the genre,” says Hanks.
After graduating from school, in 1976 he became a student at the University of California, where he began studying dramatic art and stagecraft. At first, Hanks was enthusiastic about his studies, but over time he became disillusioned with the teaching methods, which seemed old-fashioned and boring to him. Tom preferred unusual creative experiments and avant-garde ideas, while at the university they mainly relied on dry theory.
Tom Hanks in his youth and now
Within a year, the young man met Vincent Dowling, head of the Grate Lakes theater festival, who offered him a job. For three years, Tom was involved in stage design, costume design, lighting installation and even directing. This gave him invaluable experience in all aspects of theatrical life, and as soon as the right opportunity presented itself, he dropped out of university and began touring with a small acting troupe from Cleveland.
Actor career
At the same time, Tom started a family, marrying his classmate Samantha Lewis. In 1977, the young couple had a son, and Hanks had to seriously think about his daily bread. The family settled in New York, a city of great opportunities, and the young man began knocking on the doors of theaters and film studios in search of work. Tom first appeared on screen in 1980, and, like many young actors, he began his career with TV series.
Tom Hanks's very first role (“He Knows You're Alone,” 1980)
In one of them, director Ron Howard noticed him, and in 1984 he offered him the main role in the film “Flash.” Tom coped with the task perfectly, but the picture did not bring him either worldwide fame or the long-awaited financial independence. To support his family, which already had two children, the actor continued to star in TV series and low-quality films like “Bachelor Party” (1984).
Tom Hanks in the movie "The Bachelor Party"
The situation changed dramatically in 1988, when the film “Big” was released. In it, Hanks masterfully played a boy who suddenly turned into a grown man. The role, which was claimed by Robert de Niro, Harrison Ford and Robin Williams, became a real gift of fate for Tom.
Tom Hanks in the movie "Big"
His virtuoso acting earned him his first Oscar nomination, and the fee for the film allowed him to solve all his financial problems. After “Big,” Hanks began to be willingly invited to comedic roles. Over the course of several years, his filmography was replenished with such films as “Turner and Hooch” (1989), “Highlight” (1988), “The Suburbs” (1989). There were, of course, outright disastrous films, but it was already obvious that a white streak had begun in the actor’s life.
On the set of the movie "Turner and Hooch"
In 1992, Tom moved away from comedy and played a rude, always drunk coach in the film “Champions League”. The film is interesting because it became Hanks' directorial debut, and one of the roles in it was played by Madonna herself.
Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle
Real popularity came to Hanks in 1993 after the release of the melodrama Sleepless in Seattle, where he played a touching single father together with Meg Ryan. In the same year, the role of a homosexual dying from AIDS in the film Philadelphia cemented his success and brought the actor his first Oscar.
Still from the movie "Forrest Gump"
And his brilliant work in the film “Forrest Gump,” which became a Hollywood classic and a sensation in 1994, replenished his creative treasury with a second precious statuette and made him a world-famous star. Trailer for the film “Forrest Gump” Since the mid-90s, a truly golden time began for Tom. Almost every film with his participation became a bestseller and was nominated for the highest Academy Award. One by one, such film masterpieces as Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Green Mile (1999), and Cast Away (2000) appeared on the screens.
Tom Hanks and Matt Damon in the movie Saving Private Ryan
A highlight of 2002 was the magnificent acting duet of Hanks and Leo DiCaprio in the film “Catch Me If You Can.” In the melodrama “You've Got Mail,” Tom met again with Meg Ryan, and in the comedy “Larry Crown” he was accompanied by the brilliant Julia Roberts.
Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio in the film "Catch Me If You Can"
And how well the actor fit into the image of Robert Langdon in the film adaptations of Dan Brown’s works “The Da Vinci Code” (2006), “Angels and Demons” (2009) and “Inferno” (2016)! Finally, Hanks had the opportunity to choose a job to his liking and to this day never ceases to amaze viewers with the versatility and depth of his acting talent.
Tom Hanks as Professor Langdon
Tom is one of the box office record holders; projects with his participation brought the creators about four billion dollars. It's funny that the most profitable of them was the cartoon Toy Story 3, in which he only voiced one of the characters.
Tom Hanks voiced Sheriff Woody in Toy Story 3
Good guy
Fans of Tom Hanks truly consider him one of the best people on Earth.
And it's not just about acting talent. Hanks is a kind guy and also has a great sense of humor. Judge for yourself. In September 2021, Hanks was strolling through Central Park when he spotted newlyweds taking photos. He couldn't resist and ruined their photo by being the third wheel in the frame. The bride and groom were not upset, but, on the contrary, began to take pictures hugging the celebrity. And in 2021, he helped a poor couple with money who dreamed of getting married in Texas.
Tom Hanks delighted the newlyweds
One day, on his way to the store, he and his son met a group of Girl Scouts selling cookies. The actor bought several packs of cookies, and then stood next to them and invited passers-by, promising a joint photo for everyone who bought cookies from schoolgirls (the money from the sale of which traditionally goes to charity).
Helped the girls sell cookies
In October 2015, Hanks found a student ID card on the street and tweeted to find the owner. His post was reposted by tens of thousands of users. The owner of the card did not have her own Twitter, but her friend saw this publication, and as a result, Hanks received the address of the loser and sent the pass by mail.
Found the owner of the lost pass
A girl named Sarah Moretti has autism and collects all the clippings about her idol Tom Hanks. When the actor found out about this, he sent her an invitation to his Broadway show “Lucky Guy” with a backstage pass. There he had a nice chat with a fan and joked that even his mother didn’t have so many newspaper clippings with his successes.
Talked to a fan with autistic personality disorder
When a drunken group of teenagers in a bar recognized a Hollywood star in the man sitting at the next table and asked to take a photo with them, Hanks did not refuse. He sat down at their table and played along when one of the guys pretended to be asleep. It turned out to be a very funny photo shoot that went viral on the Internet.
Never refuses fans a selfie, no matter how crazy their ideas are.
When Tom Hanks appears on the red carpet with his wife, he doesn’t care how he looks in the photographers’ frame. At this time, he films his beloved wife on his phone.
Unlike many of his colleagues, Tom Hanks is very friendly towards journalists and is always happy to talk. Thus, New York Times journalist Taffy Brodesser-Akner interviewed Tom. It not only brought her a fee, but also helped her get out of a prolonged depression - during the conversation, Hanks shared worldly wisdom with her, and his words really helped.
Hanks regularly donates a portion of his proceeds to the Hidden Heroes charity, whose volunteers help war veterans (especially refugees from Third World countries) and their caregivers.
The actor helps veterans
The actor has a mansion in Idaho. Due to the dry weather, local residents suffer from fires every year. Each “fire season,” Hanks joins volunteers who stock up on supplies for victims and purchases fire-related equipment. Moreover, he does this anonymously, without the attention of the press. This became known thanks to his neighbor, who spoke about Hanks’s act on Twitter.
Personal life of Tom Hanks
In 1978, Hanks married his Sacramento University classmate Samantha Lewis. The young couple already had a one-year-old son, Colin, and two years later their daughter, Elizabeth, was born. The family was experiencing serious financial difficulties; money was running short, sometimes even not enough to repair the car. This situation categorically did not suit the mercantile wife, who regularly threw loud scandals at Tom.
Tom Hanks with his first wife Samantha Lewis
In 1985, Hanks met actress Rita Wilson while filming. But, despite the sudden outbreak of mutual passion, three long years passed before the lovers officially became husband and wife. Hanks hesitated to leave his family for a long time and filed for divorce only in 1987; he still feels guilty about the children from his first marriage.
Tom Hanks and his wife in their youth
Rita is Greek by origin and Orthodox by religion. Hanks’s feelings for this woman were so great that he changed his Catholic faith in order to have a “big Greek wedding” with his chosen one in 1988 according to all Orthodox canons. Rita gave birth to two sons, Chester Marlon (1990) and Truman Theodore (1992).
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
In 2021, Tom and Rita celebrated 30 years of marriage. To celebrate, the actor commissioned life-size cardboard cutouts of them to show how they have changed over the years.
Between them - 30 years of marriage
Of Hanks' four children, only Colin followed in his father's footsteps. Chester also tried his hand at acting at first, but ultimately preferred rap music. Unfortunately, the young man became addicted to drugs, which became a real test for his parents, and also wastes his father’s money on parties. But Tom does not lose faith that someday Chester will come to his senses.
Tom Hanks's youngest sons - Chet (left) and Truman
Colin Hanks acts in films, but not very successfully. His star role was the unlucky sheriff from the first season of the TV series Fargo. Despite his father's authority, Colin does not appear in high-profile projects. Hanks Sr. is against cronyism in cinema, and his eldest son shares his opinion. And the actor’s daughter Elizabeth leads the life of an average American woman. She has a linguistic background and works as an editor at a magazine.
Left: Tom Hanks' daughter, right: his eldest son Colin
Get married after 30
Tom was born into the family of a cook and a waitress. The parents separated when the boy was only 5 years old. Tom stayed with his father. Together they traveled all over the country. The child acutely felt the lack of family warmth and comfort. He often had to get used to not only his new school friends, but also his next stepmother. Tom swore to himself that his children would never experience anything like this.
In every city where fate directed them, Tom enrolled in a drama club because he really wanted to become an actor. My father didn't like this idea. He insisted that his son choose a more serious profession. However, after graduating from school, Tom entered the University of California, where he began to master dramatic art.
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There he met fellow student Samantha Lewis. In 1977, she gave birth to Tom's son Colin. Hanks considered it his duty to marry the woman who gave him a child. In 1980, the couple had a daughter, Elizabeth. At this period of his life, Tom Hanks was not yet a famous actor. To provide for his family, he had to work very hard. All worries about the children fell on Samantha’s shoulders, for which she constantly reproached her husband. Scandals began in the family.
In 1984, on the set of the film Volunteers, Hanks met the smiling and incredibly charming actress Rita Wilson. They played a couple in love. Hanks realized that this pretty woman was his destiny. At that time, the actor was 28 years old.
Beautiful Rita had a boyfriend, but she broke up with him for Tom. She had to wait 3 years until her lover decided to divorce Samantha. Hanks never once in his life regretted his choice. He advises not to get married before the age of 30, because at a young age, most people have not yet formed their views on life and family.
Tom Hanks now
Having entered his sixties, Hanks still regularly appears on screen, producing new projects, writing scripts, voicing cartoons and even starring in music videos. Americans adore him and consider him almost a national hero. Tom has been named the favorite actor in the United States five times according to the Harris Poll, and his name has been on the Hollywood Walk of Fame since 1992. Tom Hanks in Carly Rae Jepsen's video - “I Really Like You” At the beginning of 2021, Steven Spielberg’s new film “The Secret File” starring Tom Hanks was released worldwide. Unfortunately, for political reasons, the film was banned in fourteen Arab countries calling for a boycott of Israel. Trailer for the film The Secret File with Tom Hanks In 2021, the actor again voiced cowboy Woody in the fourth part of Toy Story, and also appeared in the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Hanks plays an optimistic elderly TV presenter, Fred, who meets a cynical young journalist (Matthew Rhys). Fred's sincerity and openness gradually break down the wall that his new acquaintance has built around himself.
Still from the film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
In 2021, at least three premieres starring Tom Hanks will be released on the big screen. These are the military drama "Greyhound", the fantasy film "BIOS" and the western "News from Around the World". It is known that Hanks will appear in a biopic about Elvis Presley (expected release date – 2021) and will probably play Giuseppe in the film adaptation of the fairy tale “Pinocchio”.
In March 2021, Tom Hanks and his wife fell ill with coronavirus while vacationing in Australia.
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Rita Wilson's real name is Margarita Ibrakhimova (in the American style, her last name sounds like Ibrakhimoff). She has Greek and Bulgarian roots. As you know, the Greeks are Orthodox Christians. Tom Hanks was formerly a Catholic. To show respect for his wife's family, he also converted to Orthodoxy. The actor says that he really liked Rita’s big family. He felt like one of his own among them.
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