Tom Hanks
In 1988, Penny Marshall cast Hanks as a boy in a man's body in 'Big,' a performance that earned his first Oscar nomination and proved his leading-man range. He went on to win back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for 'Philadelphia' and 'Forrest Gump,' a rare feat. By the mid-1990s he was one of the most beloved film stars in the world.
Stage to Sitcom
Born near San Francisco, Hanks honed his craft in Shakespeare festivals before landing the sitcom 'Bosom Buddies.' His film breakthrough came with the comedy 'Splash.'
America's Everyman
From 'Big' to 'Forrest Gump,' Hanks became Hollywood's trusted everyman. His warmth and versatility made him one of the most popular stars in the world.
An Honored Career
Hanks earned consecutive Best Actor Oscars and decades of acclaim across comedy and drama. He has received the nation's highest civilian honors for his contributions.
Career Timeline
- 1956Born in Concord, California
- 1980TV sitcom 'Bosom Buddies' begins
- 1984Film breakthrough in 'Splash'
- 1988Oscar nomination for 'Big'
- 1993Wins Best Actor Oscar for 'Philadelphia'
- 1994Wins second Best Actor Oscar for 'Forrest Gump'
- 1995Stars in 'Apollo 13' and voices Woody in 'Toy Story'
- 1998Stars in 'Saving Private Ryan'
- 2000Oscar nomination for 'Cast Away'
- 2014Receives the Kennedy Center Honors
- 2016Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Biggest Hits
- Hanks won back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for 'Philadelphia' (1993) and 'Forrest Gump' (1994).
- He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2014.
Portrait: Dick Thomas Johnson · CC BY-SA 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons