This typical Tom Hanks moment went around the world: A newly married couple stands in New York's Central Park, the camera is rolling, guests are laughing and taking photos. A man in shorts, blue hoodie and friendly expression slides into frame from the side and politely congratulates them. It's Tom Hanks the private person. He snaps a few more pictures with his phone, then disappears again. No grand entrance, no show.
Better than any portrait, the scene tells us who Tom Hanks is: a global star who never acts like one, who loves his wife above all else, collects typewriters and comments on photos of lost gloves. On July 9, the two-time Oscar winner celebrates his 70th birthday. And the world wonders: How has he stayed so normal?
Life as a Box of Chocolates
There are roles that make an actor famous. And there are roles that become part of their personality. For Sylvester Stallone (80) that's "Rocky", for Harrison Ford (83) "Indiana Jones" - and for Tom Hanks undoubtedly "Forrest Gump". But while many stars spend their lives playing against their most famous character, Hanks' signature role never seems to have stood in his way. Rather, Forrest Gump seems like a distillation of what he still stands for as an actor and private person today: kindness, humility, optimism and humanity.
Even before "Forrest Gump", Hanks excels across all genres in blockbusters like the romantic comedy "Schlaflos in Seattle" or the AIDS drama "Philadelphia", for which he receives his first Oscar in 1994. With "Forrest Gump" and his second Oscar, the much-quoted box of chocolates that life is according to Gump opens up for him. You never know what you're gonna get?
Life bestows dream roles and continuous success on Hanks to this day. He flies to the moon with "Apollo 13", entertains a young audience as the voice of Sheriff Woody in "Toy Story", investigates with suspense in "Illuminati" and convincingly talks to a volleyball in the one-man film "Cast Away". Hanks' career seems flawless. Yet his path to Hollywood is anything but predetermined.
The Hard Road of the People-Watcher
Hanks was born on July 9, 1956 in Concord, California. His childhood is marked by countless moves. His parents Amos (died 1992) and Janet (died 2016) divorce early: "My parents were so busy with their problems that sometimes they didn't even notice we were in the house", Hanks says in an interview with "The Guardian". Tom grows up with his older siblings Sandra and Larry (73) with his father and various stepmothers. His younger brother Jim (65) stays with their mother. Hanks constantly changes schools and has to adapt to new environments again and again.
Later he says he often felt like an observer - someone who studies people down to the smallest detail. Perhaps that's exactly the best preparation for his later profession. In high school he discovers his passion for theater - and thanks his drama teacher in his 1994 Oscar speech. Small theater roles become first television appearances. Hanks meets director Ron Howard (72). He gets him the lead role in his first box office hit "Splash - Eine Jungfrau am Haken." in 1984. With Howard he realizes films like "Apollo 13" or "The Da Vinci Code - Sakrileg" over the course of his career. Hanks always remains loyal to harmonious environments.
Recipe for Success: Connection, Punctuality, Momentum
Many of Hanks' characters share a common motif: They face challenges bigger than themselves. In an interview with the Oscar Academy he admits that he is mainly interested in stories in which people search for connection - for a sense of belonging and meaning. This idea runs through many of his roles. Forrest Gump, who views the world with childlike clarity. The lonely survivor on an island. The soldier who bears responsibility even though he himself is afraid.
Despite all his merits, Hanks' attitude toward his profession has always remained the same: "As an actor you should pay attention to three things: You should show up on set on time, know your lines, and have an idea of how you can advance the story with your role", as he emphasizes on Instagram. The punctual actor who respects colleagues and takes the story seriously, but never takes himself too seriously. "If you show up late, you lose the momentum", is Hanks' mantra and recipe for success.
Wife as Anchor of Happiness
Hanks' private anchor of happiness in life is his wife, actress and singer Rita Wilson, who celebrates her 70th birthday in October. The two meet as film colleagues in the comedy "Alles hört auf mein Kommando" (1985). At the time Hanks is still married to his first wife Samantha Lewes (1952-2002), with whom he has two children: actor Colin Hanks (48) and writer Elizabeth Hanks (44).
Hanks and Wilson marry on April 30, 1988, their sons Chet and Truman are born in 1990 and 1995. Together they experience Hanks' rise to global stardom, his Oscars, his triumphs and lows. With the half-Greek Wilson, he owns a house in Greece, produces the box office hit "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" in 2002 and even takes Greek citizenship in 2020. He celebrates her on wedding anniversaries and birthdays like it's the first day.
When paparazzi get too close to her, he sometimes loses it. One of the few moments when Hanks loses his composure. She stands by him when he falls ill with COVID in 2020. He supports her in her musical projects and is her support when she has to undergo a mastectomy in 2015 due to a mammary carcinoma. Already in 1995 he dedicates his Oscar speech almost entirely to his wife: "The woman I share my life with has taught me what love means."
A Wink as Elixir of Life
Hanks remains quirky - even at 70. He captions his Instagram profile with: "I'm that actor in movies you liked and some you didn't. Sometimes I'm in pretty good shape." Tom is ruled by the wink. When he's in danger of flying too high, he brings himself back down to earth: "I've made a huge amount of movies that neither made sense nor made money", says Hanks.
It gets even more down-to-earth when Hanks indulges his true hobby on Instagram. He loves photographing lost gloves and commenting on their stories. When an elegant lady's glove lies on the sidewalk, he writes: "Oh no, not on a cold December night!" Next to a lost coffee cup plus glove he quips: "Must have been really hot coffee."
Recently a lost shoe also made it into his account. "Is there anything EVEN less useful?", he asked about it.
Tom Hanks: "I like getting older"
The passionate collector of antique typewriters seemingly takes aging in stride: "I like getting older. As a teenager I always thought I had a fat behind and a squeaky voice. Back then I ate poorly. And my doctor said to me: 'Congratulations, you have type 2 diabetes, you idiot!" Hanks has adjusted his diet and despite his illness has achieved a career like few others.
Today he seems fresher than ever. On his 69th birthday he elegantly dives into the Greek Aegean in slow motion. Boyish like twelve-year-old Josh in Hanks' film hit "Big" (1988), who wreaks havoc in an adult's body. And for his 70th birthday too, "box of chocolates" Tom Hanks surely has plenty in store.
