Tom Hanks is an American actor and filmmaker who has had a successful career in both film and television. He is perhaps best known for his roles in popular films such as Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, and the Toy Story franchise.
Hanks was born in Concord, California on July 9, 1956, to Janet Marylyn (née Frager), a hospital worker, and Amos Mefford Hanks, an itinerant cook. His mother was of Portuguese descent, while his father had English, Irish, and Swiss ancestry. Hanks was raised in what he has referred to as a "fractured" family. His parents divorced when he was five years old, and he was raised by his mother and father, who later remarried. He had two siblings, Sandra and Larry.
Hanks attended Skyline High School in Oakland, California, where he participated in school plays and sang in the choir. He later attended California State University, Sacramento, where he studied theater and communication. After college, Hanks moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting.
Hanks made his acting debut in the late 1970s with a guest role on the television show Happy Days. He went on to have small roles in several other television shows and films, including Bosom Buddies, a sitcom in which he played one of two men who dress in drag in order to live in an all-female hotel.
Hanks' breakthrough role came in 1988 with the film Big, in which he played a young boy who wishes to be an adult and is then magically transformed into a man. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Hanks received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Hanks' career continued to flourish in the 1990s with roles in films such as A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, Forrest Gump, and Apollo 13. He won back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor for his performances in Forrest Gump and Philadelphia.
In the 2000s, Hanks continued to have success in both film and television. He starred in the film Cast Away, in which he played a man stranded on a deserted island, and he won critical acclaim for his role as Captain John H. Miller in Saving Private Ryan. He also had a successful voice acting career, voicing the character of Woody in the Toy Story franchise.
In addition to his acting career, Hanks is also known for his philanthropy and support of various charitable causes. He is a vocal advocate for gay rights and has supported organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign and the Trevor Project.
Hanks has been married twice. His first marriage was to actress Samantha Lewes, with whom he has two children, Colin and Elizabeth. He and Lewes divorced in 1987, and Hanks later married actress Rita Wilson. Hanks and Wilson have two children together, Chester and Truman.
In conclusion, Tom Hanks is a highly respected and successful actor and filmmaker who has had a long and varied career in both film and television. He is known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters, and he has won numerous awards for his performances. In addition to his acting career, Hanks is also known for his philanthropy and support of various charitable causes.
In addition to his film and television work, Hanks has also appeared on stage. He made his Broadway debut in 2013 in the Nora Ephron play Lucky Guy, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. He returned to Broadway in 2017 to star in the play The Front Page.
Hanks has also dabbled in directing and producing. He made his directorial debut with the 1996 film That Thing You Do!, which he also wrote and starred in. He has also produced several films, including My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Larry Crowne.
In addition to his acting and producing work, Hanks is also an author. He has written several books, including a collection of short stories and a children's book.
Hanks is known for his down-to-earth personality and his ability to connect with audiences. He is widely regarded as one of the most likable actors in Hollywood and has a reputation for being kind and gracious. He is also known for his sense of humor and has made several appearances on comedy shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show.
Outside of his professional life, Hanks is an avid collector of vintage typewriters and has a large collection of them. He is also a fan of baseball and is a season ticket holder for the Oakland Athletics.
In addition to his numerous acting accolades, Hanks has also received numerous awards for his humanitarian work. He has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, and has been honored by the United Nations for his work on behalf of refugees. Hanks is also a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts.
Throughout his career, Hanks has remained humble and grounded, and he has consistently credited his success to the support of his family and friends. He has said that he is grateful for the opportunities he has had and is thankful to be able to do what he loves for a living. Hanks continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood and is sure to have many more successes in the future.