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Tom Hanks Biography

Birth Name:Thomas Jeffrey Hanks

Birth Place:Concord, California, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2016
  • Youngest person to ever receive the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in June of 2002
  • Awarded the U․S․ Navy's highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award, on Veteran's Day 1999 following his work on "Saving Private Ryan․"
  • Is a proponent for several environmental causes and a notable supporter of alternative fuels
  • Received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2014
  • Attended Chabot College and California State University in Sacramento
  • Before becoming an actor, he worked as a bellhop where he carried luggage for celebrities such as Cher, Sidney Poitier and Bill Withers
  • Quote: "If you're funny, if there's something that makes you laugh, then every day's going to be okay․"
  • Quote: "I love what I do for a living, it's the greatest job in the world, but you have to survive an awful lot of attention that you don't truly deserve ․․․ I'm always trying to balance that with what is really important․"
  • Often portrays average men facing extraordinary circumstances which has led many to refer to him as "the modern Jimmy Stewart․"
  • Frequently works with fellow Oscar winner Steven Spielberg on projects like "Saving Private Ryan," "Catch Me If You Can" and "Band of Brothers․"
  • Collects antique typewriters
  • Credited a nearby ice cream shop for helping him gain the 30 pounds needed for his role as Jimmy Dugan in 1992's "A League of Their Own․"
  • Was originally offered the titular role in "Jerry Maguire" that ultimately went to Tom Cruise, whose performance he has since praised

Awards

  • 1987American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1988LAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1988NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1989Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1989American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): winner
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1990Saturn Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1993American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1993ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1993MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
  • 1994Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1994ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1994ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1994Silver Berlin Bear-Best Actor: winner
  • 1994CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1994DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 1994KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1994MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: winner
  • 1994MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
  • 1994MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
  • 1994NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1995Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1995Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1995American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): winner
  • 1995ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1995ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1995BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1995CFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1995Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1995DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1995David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): nominated
  • 1995Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 1995Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: winner
  • 1995MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
  • 1995SEFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: winner
  • 1996Annie-Best Individual Achievement: Voice Acting: nominated
  • 1996Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
  • 1996MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
  • 1996MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
  • 1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1998ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1998President's Award-: winner
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: winner
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 1998TFCA Award-Best Performance, Male: nominated
  • 1999Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1999ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1999BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Drama: winner
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Comedy/Romance: nominated
  • 1999CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1999Empire Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1999ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 1999MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
  • 1999MTV Movie Award-Best Action Sequence: nominated
  • 1999OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1999PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
  • 1999Vision Award-Television: winner
  • 1999SEFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Drama: winner
  • 2000BSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2000Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: nominated
  • 2000Sierra Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2000MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
  • 2000NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2001Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2001BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Drama: nominated
  • 2001CFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2001Christopher Award-Feature Films: winner
  • 2001DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 2001MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: nominated
  • 2001MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
  • 2001MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
  • 2001NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2001OFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2001PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2001Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Chemistry: winner
  • 2002Christopher Award-Television & Cable: winner
  • 2002Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: winner
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2002PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: winner
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: winner
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Non-Fiction Special (Informational): nominated
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2003Empire Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2003PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 2003PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
  • 2004Bambi-Film - International: winner
  • 2005Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: nominated
  • 2006Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Hairstyle: winner
  • 2007Yoga Award-Worst Foreign Actor: winner
  • 2008Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: winner
  • 2009ACCA-Best Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2009PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: winner
  • 2010Scream Award-Best Fantasy Actor: nominated
  • 2011Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: nominated
  • 2011PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries or Movie: winner
  • 2013ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2013DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2013DFCC-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2013Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2013IGN Award-Best Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2013OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2013PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2013SDFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2013SLFCA Award-Special Merit (for best scene, cinematic technique or other memorable aspect or moment): nominated
  • 2013VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Felix-Best Actor: winner
  • 2014AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2014BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short: nominated
  • 2014COFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014CinEuphoria-Best Actor - International Competition: nominated
  • 2014Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Días de Cine Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 2014Empire Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2014IDA Award-Best Limited Series: nominated
  • 2014ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2014ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2014OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Chairman's Award-: winner
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special: nominated
  • 2014Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2014Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2015Felix-Best Actor: winner
  • 2015IDA Award-Best Episodic Series: nominated
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: winner
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series: nominated
  • 2016Felix-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016Hollywood Film Award-Actor of the Year: winner
  • 2016IGN Award-Best Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2016IFJA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series: nominated
  • 2016SFFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017EDA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017COFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017GAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: winner
  • 2017Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: nominated
  • 2017LAOFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2017NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Variety Program: nominated
  • 2017Icon Award-: winner
  • 2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2017SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2018HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Film Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2019CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2019IGN Award-Best Supporting Performer in a Movie: nominated
  • 2019IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019National Film and Television Award-Best Performance in an Animated Movie: nominated
  • 2019NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2019People's Choice Award-Favorite Animated Movie Star: nominated
  • 2019PCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2019SFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019WAFCA Award-Best Voice Performance: nominated
  • 2019WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019WFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2020Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2020Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2020Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2020EDA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020CIC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Movie Award-Best Actor (Male): nominated
  • 2020Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2020HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020HCA Award-Best Visual Effects or Animated Performance: nominated
  • 2020HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Huading Award-Best Global Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2020IFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Blimp Award-Favorite Male Voice from an Animated Movie: nominated
  • 2020LEJA Award-Best Voice or Motion Capture Performance: nominated
  • 2020ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2020Grace Award-Most Inspiring Performance in Movies: nominated
  • 2020NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020NDFS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: winner
  • 2020OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020People's Choice Award-Favorite Male Movie Star: nominated
  • 2020People's Choice Award-Favorite Drama Movie Star: nominated
  • 2021Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2021Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2021CCA Super Award-Best Actor in an Action Movie: nominated
  • 2021Días de Cine Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 2021Family Film Award-Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): nominated
  • 2021Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
  • 2021WFCC Award-Best Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2022AACTA Award-Best Supporting Actor in Film: nominated
  • 2022CCA Super Award-Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie: nominated
  • 2022OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner
  • 2023Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2023Movies for Grownups Award-Best Film: nominated
  • 2023Christopher Award-Best Film: winner
  • 2023CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actor - International Competition: nominated
  • 2023CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
  • 2023CinEuphoria-Best Duo - International Competition: nominated
  • 2023Family Film Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2023KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2023Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2023Razzie Award-Worst Screen Combo: winner
  • 2023Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
  • 2023SFBAFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2025Critics' Choice Documentary Award-Best Narration: nominated
  • 2025OFTA Television Award-Best Narration: nominated
  • 2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Narrator: nominated
  • 2026PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television: nominated