Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks: An American Icon
Tom Hanks is an American actor, producer, and director who has starred in some of the most iconic films of all time. He is known for his versatility and his ability to play a wide range of characters, from the lovable everyman to the hardened action hero. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor, for his performances in Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994).
Early Life and Career
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California. His father, Amos Mefford Hanks, was a traveling salesman, and his mother, Janet Marylyn Frager, worked as a hospital worker. Hanks has two older siblings, Jim and Sandra.
Hanks began acting in high school and continued his studies at Chabot College in Hayward, California. He dropped out of college in 1976 to pursue a career in acting. He moved to New York City and began appearing in stage productions.
Hanks made his film debut in the slasher film He Knows You're Alone (1980). He went on to star in a number of successful films, including Splash (1984), Big (1988), and Turner & Hooch (1989).
Breakthrough Roles
Hanks' breakthrough role came in the 1993 drama Philadelphia. He played Andrew Beckett, a lawyer who is fired from his law firm after he is diagnosed with HIV. Hanks' performance earned him critical acclaim and his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
The following year, Hanks starred in the epic drama Forrest Gump. He played the title role, a simple-minded man who witnesses and participates in some of the most important events in American history. Forrest Gump was a massive commercial and critical success, and Hanks won his second Academy Award for Best Actor.
Continued Success
Hanks has continued to star in a wide variety of films, including Saving Private Ryan (1998), Cast Away (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2006), and Sully (2016). He has also directed and produced several films, including That Thing You Do! (1996) and Larry Crowne (2011).
Hanks is one of the most successful and respected actors in Hollywood. He has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and six Emmy Awards. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Personal Life
Hanks has been married twice. His first marriage, to actress Samantha Lewes, ended in divorce in 1987. He has two children with Lewes, Colin and Elizabeth. In 1988, Hanks married actress Rita Wilson. They have two sons, Chester and Truman.
Hanks is known for his philanthropy and his work with various charities. He is a supporter of the American Red Cross, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He has also served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.
Legacy
Tom Hanks is one of the most iconic actors of all time. He has starred in some of the most successful and beloved films of all time. He is known for his versatility, his acting skills, and his philanthropy. He is a true Hollywood legend.
