Born: July 9, 1956
Early Life:
Tom Hanks was born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, to Janet Marylyn (née Frager) and Amos Mefford Hanks, an itinerant cook. He grew up in a Mormon household, later converting to the Greek Orthodox Church upon his marriage to Rita Wilson.
Education:
Hanks attended Skyline High School in Oakland, California, where he discovered his love for acting and performed in school plays. He later attended Chabot College in Hayward, California, but dropped out to pursue acting full-time.
Career Beginnings:
Hanks began his acting career in the late 1970s with roles in low-budget films and television series. He gained recognition for his role in the sitcom “Bosom Buddies” (1980-1982), where he played a young advertising executive who disguises himself as a woman to live in an affordable women-only apartment building.
Breakthrough Roles:
Hanks’ breakthrough came with the comedy film “Splash” (1984), where he played a man who falls in love with a mermaid. He then solidified his status as a leading man with roles in films like “Big” (1988), “Turner & Hooch” (1989), and “A League of Their Own” (1992).
Acclaimed Performances:
Hanks received widespread critical acclaim and won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Andrew Beckett, a lawyer battling AIDS, in “Philadelphia” (1993). He won his second consecutive Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Forrest Gump in the film of the same name (1994).
Further Success:
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Hanks starred in a string of successful films, including “Apollo 13” (1995), “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), “Cast Away” (2000), and “Catch Me If You Can” (2002).
Later Career:
In addition to acting, Hanks has ventured into producing, directing, and writing. He produced the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” (2001) and “The Pacific” (2010), and directed and starred in films like “That Thing You Do!” (1996) and “Larry Crowne” (2011).
Personal Life:
Hanks married actress Rita Wilson in 1988, and they have two children together. He also has two children from his previous marriage to Samantha Lewes. Hanks is known for his philanthropy work and is involved in various charities and causes, including AIDS research and environmental conservation. He is considered one of the most respected and beloved actors in Hollywood.
Awards and Accolades:
Tom Hanks has received numerous awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor, four Golden Globe Awards, and seven Primetime Emmy Awards. He has also been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to cinema and philanthropy.
