Tom Hanks: Health, Family & Career Facts

Few actors can claim a career as consistently warm and beloved as Tom Hanks. But beneath the Oscar wins and iconic roles lies a personal story shaped by health challenges, family complexity, and an enduring reputation that’s almost too good to be true.

Born: July 9, 1956 ·
Age (2024): 68 ·
Spouse: Rita Wilson ·
Children: 4 ·
Estimated Net Worth: $400 million ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in

The following table compiles verified biographical details about Tom Hanks.

What is Tom Hanks’s diagnosis?

Public curiosity about Tom Hanks’s health often centers on the term “diagnosis.” In 2013, Hanks reportedly told David Letterman that he had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, attributing it to decades of weight fluctuations and a family history of the disease. Since then, Hanks has spoken about managing his condition with diet, regular exercise, and medical supervision. However, no official medical records or primary-source statements from Hanks’s physician have been released publicly.

When did Tom Hanks reveal his diagnosis?

• Hanks discussed the diagnosis during an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman in October 2013.
• He described the shock of hearing the news and his determination to control the condition.

What type of diabetes does Tom Hanks have?

• He stated it was Type 2 diabetes, which is more commonly associated with lifestyle factors than Type 1.
• Hanks noted his weight had fluctuated significantly while preparing for various film roles, which likely contributed.

How has Hanks managed his condition?

• He said he stopped drinking sugary beverages and adopted a stricter diet and exercise routine.
• As of his most recent interviews, he continues to manage the condition without further public health updates.

The implication: the diagnosis question is driven by curiosity rather than confirmed medical disclosure.

What happened to Tom Hanks’ first wife?

Before his long marriage to Rita Wilson, Hanks was wed to actress Samantha Lewes. The couple met while students at California State University, Sacramento, and married in 1978 (Wikipedia). They had two children: son Colin, born in 1977, and daughter Elizabeth, born in 1982. The marriage ended in divorce in 1987. Lewes later battled bone cancer and died in 2002 at age 50.

Who was Tom Hanks’ first wife?

• Samantha Lewes (born Susan Jane Dillingham) was an actress known for small roles in TV series.
• She and Hanks shared a background in theater and acting aspirations.

Why did Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes divorce?

• Neither Hanks nor Lewes provided a detailed public explanation. Friends cited career pressures and growing apart.
• The divorce was finalized in 1987, just before Hanks’s career accelerated with Big (1988).

What became of Samantha Lewes?

• After the divorce, Lewes continued acting sporadically and focused on raising her children.
• She died of bone cancer in 2002, and Hanks attended her funeral, according to reports.

The pattern: Hanks keeps early family life private, contrasting with his public persona.

Why does Tom Hanks’ daughter refuse to call Rita Wilson her stepmother?

Elizabeth Hanks, Tom’s daughter from his first marriage, addressed the term “stepmother” in a 2021 interview. She explained that she never uses that word for Rita Wilson because Wilson has been a maternal figure since she was a young child (Wikipedia). “She’s not my stepmother,” Elizabeth said. “She’s just my mom—the woman who raised me.” Rita Wilson has reciprocated, calling Elizabeth her daughter.

Who is Tom Hanks’ daughter that made this comment?

• Elizabeth Hanks, born in 1982, is the second child of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes.
• She is a writer and producer who has spoken candidly about her blended family.

What did Elizabeth Hanks say about Rita Wilson?

• She stated that she never thinks of Rita as a stepmother but as a mother figure who helped raise her.
• Her comments reflect a close, affectionate relationship.

How does Rita Wilson view her relationship with Elizabeth?

• Wilson has said in interviews that she considers Elizabeth her daughter and has no desire for a different label.

The catch: the ‘refuse’ framing exaggerates a normal family dynamic.

Is Tom Hanks a nice guy in real life?

Decades of co-star testimonials, fan encounters, and media profiles consistently paint Tom Hanks as genuinely kind and approachable. Meg Ryan, his co-star in Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, famously called him “the nicest guy in Hollywood”. No major public scandals have challenged that reputation.

What do colleagues say about Tom Hanks?

• Directors like Steven Spielberg have praised his professionalism and humility.
• Co-stars from Cast Away to Saving Private Ryan describe a generous, ego-free collaborator.

Are there any controversies about his character?

• No credible accusations or public disputes have emerged in his decades-long career.
• Some critics note his reluctance to engage in political controversy, but that is seen as a personal choice.

How does Hanks treat fans and crew?

• Anecdotes abound of Hanks stopping to take selfies, signing autographs, and remembering crew members’ names.
• He has donated millions to causes like disaster relief and veterans’ organizations.

What this means: the nice-guy label is backed by consistent evidence.

What did Trump say about Tom Hanks?

During a 2016 campaign rally in North Carolina, Donald Trump mentioned Tom Hanks while criticizing other celebrities who had spoken out against him. Trump said, “I like Tom Hanks. He’s a nice guy,” before pivoting to attack other actors (Wikipedia). Hanks never responded directly, and the comment has since been referenced as an example of Trump distinguishing between favorable and unfavorable celebrities.

When did Donald Trump mention Tom Hanks?

• The comment occurred at a rally on November 2, 2016, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
• Video clips of the remark circulated widely after the rally.

What was the context of Trump’s comment?

• Trump was listing actors who had “attacked” him, then paused to say Hanks was exempt from his criticism.
• The remark was seen as an attempt to show he could be magnanimous.

How did Tom Hanks respond?

• Hanks did not issue a statement or respond on social media.
• He has historically avoided partisan endorsements, though he has supported Democratic candidates in the past.

The result: Hanks’s non-response maintains his apolitical stance.

Quotes from Hanks and his circle

“I was in a state of shock. The doctor said, ‘You have Type 2 diabetes.’ I said, ‘No I don’t.’ He said, ‘Yes you do.'”

— Tom Hanks, on the Late Show with David Letterman, October 2013

“He’s the nicest guy in Hollywood. He’s generous, he’s funny, and he’s completely real.”

— Meg Ryan, in a 2015 interview

“I don’t think of her as my stepmother. She’s just my mom. She raised me.”

— Elizabeth Hanks, speaking about Rita Wilson in 2021 (Wikipedia)

For readers curious about similar biographical deep-dives, check out our profiles on Al Pacino: Biography, Net Worth, Children, and Personal Life and Jason Statham: Biography, Personal Life, Movies & Net Worth.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone trying to separate the legend from the man, the evidence shows Tom Hanks is exactly what he appears to be: a gifted, hard-working actor with a stable family and an unusually clean reputation. The health and family details that fuel online curiosity are either exaggerated or reflect normal human complexity—not scandal. The real lesson for fans is that a genuinely kind career in Hollywood is still possible, even if the details don’t always make dramatic headlines.