Samantha Lewes is remembered as the first wife of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, but her life story goes far beyond her connection to a famous celebrity. She was an American actress who pursued opportunities in television, became a mother of two, and experienced a personal journey that remained largely outside the public spotlight. Although her marriage to Hanks eventually ended, her connection to his family continued through their children, Colin and Elizabeth Hanks.
Born Susan Jane Dillingham on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California, Samantha developed an interest in acting before becoming widely recognized through her relationship with Tom Hanks. The couple met while pursuing their interests in theater and entertainment and eventually started a family during the early years of Hanks’ career. At that time, he was still establishing himself in Hollywood and had not yet achieved the international recognition that came with films such as Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and Saving Private Ryan.
Their marriage began in 1978 and ended in divorce in 1987. Following their separation, Samantha maintained a relatively private lifestyle while Hanks continued developing his acting career. Her personal history also included family difficulties that attracted renewed attention many years after her death, particularly following the publication of her daughter Elizabeth’s memoir in 2025. Exploring Samantha Lewes’ biography offers a closer look at her early life, acting career, marriage, motherhood, and the experiences that shaped her identity beyond Hollywood.
Who Was Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes was an American actress best known as the first wife of Tom Hanks. Her birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham, but she became professionally known as Samantha Lewes while pursuing acting opportunities. Born in California in 1952, she developed an interest in performing arts and eventually became involved in television entertainment.
Unlike many individuals associated with Hollywood celebrities, Lewes did not build a long-lasting public career. Her acting appearances were relatively limited, and she never became a major entertainment personality. Nevertheless, she had professional ambitions of her own before and during her relationship with Hanks. Her television work remains an important part of her biography, even though much of her public recognition came through her marriage.
Her life became more widely discussed after Tom Hanks established himself as an internationally successful actor. However, their relationship had started long before his rise to fame. Samantha experienced his early professional years, when opportunities were uncertain and both were still working toward their personal and professional goals. Although information about her private background is limited, her story remains an interesting part of Hollywood family history.
Early Life and How She Met Tom Hanks
Samantha Lewes was born on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California. Although details about her childhood, education, and family upbringing are not extensively documented, she developed an interest in acting that eventually brought her into the theater environment. Her early life was largely private, and she did not regularly discuss her personal background in public interviews.
Her path crossed with Tom Hanks while they were associated with California State University, Sacramento. During the 1970s, both were interested in theater and performance, and Hanks was beginning to explore opportunities that could help him establish an acting career. He had not yet achieved the success that would later make him one of the most recognizable actors in the world. Their shared interests helped bring them together, and their relationship gradually developed into a serious commitment.
Their romance began during a period when both were still discovering their professional direction. Unlike many celebrity couples who meet after becoming famous, Samantha and Tom experienced their early relationship before major Hollywood success changed their circumstances. They faced the ordinary responsibilities of young adulthood while trying to build a future together. Eventually, their relationship led to marriage and the beginning of their family life.
Marriage to Tom Hanks and Their Family Life
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks married in January 1978, beginning a relationship that became an important chapter in both their personal histories. Their first child, Colin Hanks, was born on November 24, 1977, shortly before their wedding. Their daughter, Elizabeth Anne Hanks, followed on May 17, 1982. Raising two children while managing professional responsibilities became a major part of their lives.
During their marriage, Hanks was still working toward a successful entertainment career. He had not yet achieved the international recognition associated with his later performances, and the family experienced the uncertain early stages of his professional journey. Balancing acting opportunities, financial responsibilities, and parenthood required adjustments as their circumstances changed.
Their relationship eventually faced difficulties, and the couple separated in 1985 before finalizing their divorce in 1987. Although their marriage ended, their shared responsibilities as parents remained an important connection. Their children’s experiences and changing family arrangements later became part of the public discussion surrounding Samantha’s life, particularly after Elizabeth shared her childhood memories in her 2025 memoir.
Samantha Lewes’ Acting Career and Television Appearances
Although Samantha Lewes never became a leading Hollywood actress, she pursued her interest in performing and received opportunities to appear in television productions. Her documented acting credits include the sitcom Bosom Buddies and the television film Mr. Success. These projects demonstrate that she had professional interests of her own rather than being known exclusively through her marriage to Tom Hanks.
In 1981, Lewes appeared in an episode of Bosom Buddies, the ABC comedy series starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari. She played a waitress in a small role. The program followed two men who disguised themselves as women to live in an affordable apartment building that was otherwise restricted to female residents. Although her appearance was brief, it remains one of her recognizable television credits.
She also appeared in the 1984 television film Mr. Success, playing a customer. Her acting career remained relatively short compared with the extensive work later completed by Hanks. She eventually stepped away from professional entertainment and maintained a much more private lifestyle. Her limited filmography does not diminish her interest in acting, but it is important to describe her career accurately rather than exaggerating her achievements.
Samantha Lewes’ Children: Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks
Motherhood was one of the most significant parts of Samantha Lewes’ life. She and Tom Hanks had two children, Colin and Elizabeth, who eventually developed different professional interests. Although their connection to a famous Hollywood family attracted public attention, both established individual identities as adults.
Colin Hanks was born on November 24, 1977, and became an actor like his parents. He developed his career through appearances in films and television productions, including Orange County, Fargo, The Good Guys, and Life in Pieces. His performances helped him establish a professional reputation beyond being recognized as Tom Hanks’ son. Over time, Colin became a familiar face in the entertainment industry and continued working across different genres.
Elizabeth Anne Hanks, also known as E.A. Hanks, was born on May 17, 1982. She followed a different professional direction and developed an interest in writing and journalism. Rather than building a career primarily through acting, she worked as a writer and contributed to publications. In 2025, she published The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, a book exploring her childhood, family history, and complicated relationship with her mother. The memoir brought renewed public interest to Samantha Lewes because it included Elizabeth’s personal recollections of difficult family experiences.
Why Did Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks Divorce?
The marriage between Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks ended after several years of shared experiences and family responsibilities. They separated in 1985, and their divorce was finalized in 1987. Their relationship had begun when both were young, but their circumstances changed as they entered adulthood, raised children, and faced the pressures associated with professional ambitions.
Tom Hanks later reflected on his first marriage and acknowledged that he had been young and insecure when he became a husband and father. He discussed how his early experiences influenced his understanding of family responsibilities. However, the complete private circumstances behind their separation were never fully established in public, so it would be misleading to attribute their divorce to one particular reason.
Following the separation, the children’s living arrangements became an important part of the family’s story. Samantha initially had primary custody, while Hanks continued his relationship with Colin and Elizabeth. Later, Elizabeth moved to live with her father after experiencing difficulties in her relationship with her mother. These circumstances were discussed years afterward in Elizabeth’s memoir, which provided a personal account of events that had largely remained private.
Samantha Lewes’ Life After Divorce and Her Death
After her divorce, Samantha Lewes largely stayed away from the public attention surrounding Tom Hanks. While her former husband continued pursuing acting opportunities and gradually became a major Hollywood figure, she maintained a comparatively private lifestyle. Her later years were not extensively documented, leaving limited reliable information about her everyday activities and personal relationships.
Her children remained central to this period, although family circumstances were not always straightforward. Elizabeth’s memoir described a difficult childhood that included family instability and allegations of emotional and physical abuse. She also reflected on concerns about her mother’s mental health. These are Elizabeth’s personal recollections, and they provide an important perspective without establishing every detail of Samantha’s private life independently.
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49. Published accounts associate her death with cancer, although reports have not always been consistent about the specific diagnosis. Her passing was a significant event for her children, who lost their mother while they were still relatively young adults. Her death also meant that many questions about her personal experiences could never be answered directly by her.
Tom Hanks’ Life After His Marriage to Samantha Lewes
After separating from Samantha Lewes, Tom Hanks developed a relationship with actress Rita Wilson. The two eventually married on April 30, 1988, and built a family together. They welcomed two sons, Chester Hanks and Truman Hanks, while Hanks continued developing his acting career.
During this period, his professional success grew considerably. His performances in Big, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, and Cast Away helped establish him as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. He earned major awards and became internationally recognized for his ability to portray a wide range of characters.
Although his second marriage became a major part of his public identity, his earlier family history remained significant. Colin and Elizabeth were part of his life before his international fame, and their connection to Samantha continued to make her an important figure in his personal history. Her story therefore remains connected to the early years of Hanks’ life, even though their marriage ended long before many of his greatest career achievements.
How Elizabeth Hanks’ Memoir Renewed Interest in Samantha Lewes
For many years, Samantha Lewes was primarily discussed in articles about Tom Hanks’ first marriage. However, the publication of Elizabeth Hanks’ 2025 memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, introduced a different perspective on their family history and brought renewed attention to Samantha’s life.
In the book, Elizabeth revisits her childhood and describes the difficult experiences that influenced her relationship with her mother. She discusses family instability, neglect, and allegations of emotional and physical abuse. The memoir also explores her efforts to understand her mother’s personal history through family memories and documents.
One important aspect of the book is that it does not present a simple or idealized account of family life. Instead, Elizabeth examines complicated relationships and the lasting effects of childhood experiences. Her reflections helped readers understand why Samantha Lewes’ biography cannot be reduced to her marriage to a famous actor.
Tom Hanks also publicly responded to his daughter’s decision to share her experiences, expressing respect for her honesty and willingness to explore difficult family subjects. The memoir has become an important part of the public discussion surrounding Samantha Lewes because it offers a personal perspective that was largely absent from earlier accounts. Nevertheless, readers should distinguish between Elizabeth’s recollections and independently verified biographical information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Samantha Lewes
Who was Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes was an American actress best known as the first wife of Tom Hanks. She was born Susan Jane Dillingham and appeared in television productions before stepping away from professional acting.
What was Samantha Lewes’ real name?
Her birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham. Samantha Lewes was the professional name she used during her acting career.
When did Samantha Lewes marry Tom Hanks?
Samantha Lewes married Tom Hanks in January 1978. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1987 after they had separated two years earlier.
How many children did Samantha Lewes have?
She had two children with Tom Hanks: Colin Hanks, born in 1977, and Elizabeth Anne Hanks, born in 1982. Both eventually developed their own professional careers.
What television shows and movies did Samantha Lewes appear in?
Her documented acting credits include the television sitcom Bosom Buddies in 1981 and the television film Mr. Success in 1984. Both were relatively small roles.
When did Samantha Lewes die?
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49. Her death was associated with cancer.
Why is Samantha Lewes still discussed today?
Public interest continues because of her marriage to Tom Hanks, her children’s careers, and the renewed attention created by Elizabeth Hanks’ 2025 memoir.
What did Elizabeth Hanks reveal about her mother?
In The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, Elizabeth discussed her childhood, family instability, and allegations of emotional and physical abuse involving her mother. The book presents her personal experiences and reflections on their relationship.
Final Thoughts
Samantha Lewes had a life that extended far beyond her association with Tom Hanks. She pursued acting, experienced motherhood, raised two children, and faced personal difficulties that remained largely outside public attention. Although her marriage ended before Hanks reached the height of his Hollywood success, their shared family history continued through Colin and Elizabeth.
The publication of Elizabeth’s memoir in 2025 brought renewed interest in Samantha’s life and introduced readers to a more complicated perspective on the family’s past. It also demonstrated that celebrity biographies often contain personal experiences that cannot be understood through public appearances and entertainment headlines alone.
Ultimately, Samantha Lewes remains an interesting figure in Hollywood history because her story connects the entertainment industry with the private realities of marriage, parenthood, and family relationships. She may not have pursued the same level of fame as her former husband, but her life and experiences remain an important part of the Hanks family story.
