The Iconic Everyman: 15 Fascinating Facts About Tom Hanks

1. He Is One of Only Two Actors to Win Back-to-Back Best Actor Oscars

In 1994, Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his heartbreaking portrayal of Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia. Just one year later, he claimed the very same category for his legendary title role in Forrest Gump. This extraordinary achievement made him only the second actor in history to win consecutive Best Actor Oscars, matching a record set by Spencer Tracy in the late 1930s. His dual victories cemented his status as the premier dramatic leading man of his generation. Decades later, this milestone remains one of the most celebrated streaks in Hollywood history.

2. He Is Distantly Related to President Abraham Lincoln

Genealogical research has revealed that Tom Hanks shares a direct bloodline with one of America's greatest leaders. The actor is the third cousin four times removed of Abraham Lincoln through the 16th president's mother, Nancy Hanks. Hanks has expressed pride in this historical heritage, which unexpectedly connects him to the nation's history. He even lent his voice to narrate the 2011 National Geographic documentary Killing Lincoln. This ancestral connection adds a fascinating layer of reality to an actor famed for playing iconic American figures.

3. He Has an Obsessive Passion for Vintage Manual Typewriters

Long before digital keypads dominated modern life, Tom Hanks developed a lifelong obsession with mechanical manual typewriters. He began collecting them as a young man in the 1970s and now owns an extensive personal collection of more than 250 operational machines. Hanks actively uses them to type personal correspondence, notes, and creative literary projects. His passion ran so deep that he inspired the creation of an iPad typing application called Hanx Writer, which replicates vintage typewriter sounds and aesthetics. In 2017, he released Uncommon Type, a collection of short stories that each feature a typewriter in a subtle role.

4. An Asteroid in Deep Space Bears His Name

Tom Hanks's cultural impact extends far beyond Earth's atmosphere into the solar system. In 1996, astronomer Joseph L. Montani discovered a main-belt asteroid at the Steward Observatory in Arizona and named it 12818 Tomhanks. The International Astronomical Union officially recognized the designation to honor the actor's contributions to cinema and space enthusiasm. Hanks, who played astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, has long been a vocal proponent of space exploration. Having a celestial body named after him reflects his enduring connection to the cosmos.

5. His Brother Frequently Voices Woody for Merchandising and Spin-Offs

While Tom Hanks provides the iconic voice for Sheriff Woody in all four main Toy Story feature films, he does not record every piece of auxiliary media. For video games, animated shorts, theme park attractions, and talking toys, Pixar hires his younger brother, Jim Hanks. Jim possesses a voice remarkably similar to Tom's, allowing him to match the character's exact inflection and energy seamlessly. Tom has openly joked on talk shows about how convenient it is that his brother handles the grueling voice recording sessions for merchandise. This unique family arrangement has kept Woody's character consistent across decades of media.

6. He and Rita Wilson Were Granted Honorary Greek Citizenship

In December 2019, the President of Greece officially granted Tom Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, honorary Greek citizenship. The honor recognized their dedication to drawing global attention to devastating wildfires that struck near Athens in 2018. Wilson, who is of Greek descent, and Hanks have long spent summers on the Greek island of Antiparos and actively promote Greek culture worldwide. In 2020, both Hanks and Wilson officially took their oaths and received full Greek passports. The couple frequently highlights their deep personal affinity for the Mediterranean country.

7. He Got His Acting Start in Shakespearean Theater

Before achieving international stardom, Hanks built his acting foundation on classical stage theater. In 1977, he spent three full seasons performing at the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland, Ohio. He immersed himself in the works of William Shakespeare, performing in plays such as The Taming of the Shrew and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Hanks actually dropped out of California State University, Sacramento, to commit fully to his internship in Cleveland. This intensive theatrical training honed his improvisational skills and vocal range, setting the stage for his cinematic career.

8. His Directorial Debut Was a Love Letter to 1960s Pop Music

In 1996, Hanks stepped behind the camera to write and direct his debut feature film, That Thing You Do!. The lighthearted musical comedy tells the story of a fictional 1960s one-hit wonder rock band named The Wonders. In addition to directing and co-starring as the band's manager, Hanks co-wrote several songs for the movie's soundtrack. The title track became a real-life radio hit and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. The film demonstrated Hanks's talent as a storyteller capable of capturing nostalgic pop culture moments.

9. He Lost 50 Pounds and Paused Production for 'Cast Away'

To accurately depict a man stranded on an uninhabited island for four years in Cast Away (2000), Hanks underwent an arduous physical transformation. Filming was halted for a full year after shooting the first half of the movie to allow Hanks to lose 50 pounds and grow out his hair and beard. During this hiatus, director Robert Zemeckis used the exact same film crew to shoot the thriller What Lies Beneath. Hanks adhered to a strict diet and intense workout routine under medical supervision to achieve the emaciated look. His incredible physical commitment yielded one of the most compelling solo performances in modern cinema.

10. A Guest Appearance on 'Happy Days' Led to His Breakout Film Role

After co-starring in the early 1980s cross-dressing sitcom Bosom Buddies, Hanks landed a guest-starring role on an episode of Happy Days. He played a martial artist who sought revenge on Fonzie, throwing a kick that knocked the Fonz through a wall. That single performance caught the attention of director Ron Howard, who had played Richie Cunningham on the show and was preparing to direct the romantic comedy Splash. Howard initially asked Hanks to read for a supporting role, but was so impressed that he cast him as the romantic lead. Splash became a massive box-office hit, launching Hanks directly into Hollywood stardom.

11. He Was One of the First High-Profile Celebrities to Contract COVID-19

In March 2020, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson made global headlines when they announced they had tested positive for COVID-19 while in Australia. Hanks was in the country prepping for Baz Luhrmann's biographical film Elvis, in which he played Colonel Tom Parker. As some of the first prominent public figures to contract the novel virus, their diagnosis served as an early wake-up call for millions around the globe. The couple isolated in a Queensland hospital and shared regular social media updates emphasizing safety precautions. Their open public stance helped raise international awareness during the opening weeks of the pandemic.

12. He Has Collaborated on Five Major Feature Films with Steven Spielberg

Tom Hanks has maintained one of the most fruitful director-actor partnerships in cinematic history with Steven Spielberg. Together, they have made five major feature films: Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, Bridge of Spies, and The Post. Their professional union also extends into television, where they co-created and executive produced acclaimed World War II miniseries like Band of Brothers and The Pacific. The duo's joint work has garnered dozens of Oscar nominations and millions of fans worldwide. Their shared interest in American history has repeatedly driven their compelling screen collaborations.

13. He Received the Highest Civilian Honors in the United States

Tom Hanks's contributions to American culture have been recognized at the highest levels of government. In 2014, he was named a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors for his lifetime achievements in the performing arts. Two years later, in 2016, President Barack Obama presented Hanks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. During the ceremony, President Obama commended Hanks for his ability to embody character traits that reflect the American spirit. In 2020, he received the Golden Globes' Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in film.

14. He Is an Inducted Honorary Member of the U.S. Army Rangers Hall of Fame

For his compelling portrayal of Captain John Miller in 1998's Saving Private Ryan, Hanks earned deep respect within the military community. His authentic depiction of combat leadership led to his induction into the United States Army Rangers Hall of Fame as an honorary member in 2006. Hanks was recognized for accurately portraying the bravery and sacrifices of WWII soldiers and for raising awareness for veteran causes. He served as the national campaign chairman for the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. His ongoing advocacy work has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for military service members.

15. He Is a Published Fiction Author with Multiple Books

Beyond his prolific career on camera, Tom Hanks has established himself as a respected literary author. In 2017, he released his debut book, Uncommon Type: Some Stories, a collection of seventeen short stories that earned praise for its warm tone and sharp observation. He followed this success in 2023 with his first full-length novel, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece. The novel draws directly upon his decades of film industry experience to depict the chaotic making of a superhero movie. Readers and critics alike have praised his engaging prose, proving his creative talents extend far beyond acting.