Real Reason Why Tom Hanks’ College Romance With Samantha Lewes Didn’t Survive the Test of Marriage
- Samantha Lewes was Tom Hanks' first wife and mother of his two kids.
- Hanks and Lewes met in college and got married after having their son.
- Their marriage didn’t last because Hanks was too young and career-focused.
Tom Hanks, America’s favorite actor, has always been seen as the perfect dad and husband. But before he became the lovable star we all know today, he had a college sweetheart named Samantha Lewes.
Their relationship started out just like any other college romance, full of hope and dreams of the future. But unlike the typical Hollywood fairy tale, this story didn’t have a ‘happily ever after.’
Their marriage ended in divorce, and years later, Lewes tragically passed away. So, what happened to their love story? Let’s dig deeper into Hanks and Lewes’ relationship, why it didn’t last, and how they ended up in very different places in life.
Who is Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes, born Susan Jane Dillingham, was an actress with a low-key career. She was born in San Diego, California, and, though not super famous, had a few notable roles. She appeared in a 1981 episode of Bosom Buddies (the show where Tom Hanks got his start) and starred in a few films like Mr. Success (1984).
Unlike many Hollywood stars, Lewes didn’t enjoy the spotlight much. She kept her personal life private and didn’t make a huge public splash. Even though she wasn’t a household name, she was talented in her own right.
And of course, she was one of Hollywood’s best actors’ first wife and the mother of his two children, Colin and Elizabeth Hanks. She lived a relatively quiet life compared to her ex-husband’s fame but was a big part of his early life.
When Did Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes Cross Paths?
Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes first met in the late ’70s while they were both students at California State University, Sacramento. They were both studying acting, and as you can imagine, they quickly became friends.
It didn’t take long for their friendship to turn into something more. Hanks was just 22, and Lewes was a bit older at 26. They were young, full of ambition, and both trying to make it in Hollywood.
At that time, they didn’t have much—just a dream and each other. They even had their first child, Colin, before they got married in 1978. It was a fast-moving relationship, but they seemed happy. In many ways, they were like any other young couple, just trying to figure things out together in a big, overwhelming world.
How Many Kids Does Tom Hanks Have With Samantha Lewes?
Hanks and Lewes had two children together: Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Ann Hanks. Colin, born in 1977, followed in his dad’s footsteps and became an actor. He starred in films like Orange County, King Kong, and even appeared in the Jumanji reboot.
Colin has made a name for himself in Hollywood, though he’s kept his own unique identity separate from his dad’s fame. Elizabeth Ann, born in 1982, also has a background in acting and producing. She appeared in movies like Forrest Gump and That Thing You Do! which her dad directed.
Elizabeth has also worked behind the scenes in the industry, and she has a career that’s just as creative as her father’s. Both the kids were raised by the couple during their marriage. While their childhood wasn’t filled with all the Hollywood luxury that came later in Hanks’ career, they still grew up surrounded by love and creativity.
Why Tom Hanks’ College Romance With Samantha Lewes Didn’t Last?
Despite the early promise, Hanks and Lewes’ marriage didn’t stand the test of time. After about nine years together, they decided to divorce in 1987. First of all, Hanks was young—he was only 23 when they got married. And even though he had a kid, a wife, and a family to take care of, his career was still in the early stages.
The actor has admitted that he wasn’t ready for the responsibilities that came with marriage and parenting. The pressures of being a young, struggling actor in Hollywood definitely took a toll on their relationship.
They were both trying to figure out who they were and where their careers were headed, which led to a lot of emotional strain. As Hanks’ career took off, it started to pull him away from his family. The star himself said in an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs:
A broken marriage meant I was sentencing my own kids to the sort of feelings I had at their age. I was just too young and insecure for marriage. I was 23 and my son Colin was already 2 when I married for the first time. I was not really ready to take on those responsibilities.
The distance between him and Lewes grew, and ultimately, they couldn’t make it work. Their split wasn’t easy, and even after the divorce, they remained on good terms. However, years later, tragedy struck when Lewes was diagnosed with bone cancer. She passed away in 2002, and Hanks was reportedly “devastated” by her death (via The New York Post).
Whom Tom Hanks is Married to Now?
Let’s talk about Tom Hanks’ happily-ever-after—because, yeah, he found love again after his divorce from Samantha Lewes. But this time, it wasn’t just any love story. Hanks met his current wife, Rita Wilson, back in the ‘80s.
It all started on the set of the sitcom Bosom Buddies in 1981, where they were both working together. At that time, Hanks was still married to Lewes, so he and Wilson were just friends.
But, you know, sometimes friendships turn into something more, and that’s exactly what happened here. Though Hanks was in a marriage with Lewes at the time, he and Wilson developed a strong bond while working together.
They spent more time together on the set of the 1985 film Volunteers (which, let’s be honest, is also a bit of an underrated gem). By this time, the chemistry between the two was undeniable, and it didn’t take long before their friendship blossomed into romance.
Fast forward to 1986, when Hanks and Wilson went public with their relationship. And by 1988, just a year after his divorce from Lewes, they tied the knot. Their wedding was a new chapter for Hanks, who was now ready to move on from his past.
How Many Kids Does Tom Hanks Have With His Second Wife?
Hanks and Wilson had two children together: Chet Hanks, born in 1990, and Truman Theodore Hanks, born in 1995. Chet has made a name for himself as both an actor and rapper.
He’s appeared in shows like Empire and Shameless and even had roles in big films like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Fantastic Four. While Chet has had some ups and downs in the public eye, he’s definitely his own person.
Truman, on the other hand, prefers to stay out of the spotlight. He has worked in the camera and electrical departments on major films like Black Widow and West Side Story (per his IMDb page). While he’s not an actor like his older brother or his parents, Truman has carved out his own niche in the industry, building a career behind the scenes.
