Tom Hanks is basically the closest thing America has to a living, breathing neighborhood dad who also happens to have two Oscars. He’s the guy who finds a random lost mitten on the street and posts a photo of it on Twitter just to help it get home. So when July 9th rolls around every year, the internet doesn't just scroll past. It celebrates.
But let’s get the basics straight before we dive into why the upcoming birthday of Tom Hanks is actually a massive deal for 2026.
Tom was born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California. That makes him 69 right now. Do the math, and you'll realize he's hitting the big 7-0 this summer. Honestly, 70 looks pretty good on him, mostly because he’s spent the last few years jumping into oceans and acting like a teenager.
The Diving Tradition and the 69th Splash
Most celebrities throw these bloated, black-tie galas at some mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Not Tom. For his 69th birthday in 2025, he posted a video on Instagram that was pure "Hanx." He basically did a pencil dive into the sea from what looked like a boat or a high dock. He titled it "#1 How to celebrate turning 69!" and signed it with his classic "THanks."
It’s kinda his thing now. Back when he turned 64, he did the same thing in a pool. There’s something remarkably human about a guy worth hundreds of millions of dollars celebrating his birth by just making a big splash in some green swim trunks. It’s a far cry from the "Look at me" energy you usually get from A-listers.
His wife, Rita Wilson, usually joins the fun by posting a "civilian" photo of him. For his 69th, she shared a shot of him in sweatpants, glasses on, hunched over a typewriter. No filters. No glam squad. Just a guy and his keys.
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Why 2026 is the Real Milestone
Everyone is looking toward July 9, 2026. This isn't just because he’s turning 70. It’s the context. We’re looking at a year where Toy Story 5 is slated to hit theaters (currently June 19, 2026). That means Tom will be celebrating his 70th birthday right as Woody—the character he’s voiced for over thirty years—returns to the big screen.
It’s a poetic collision of a man and his legacy. Think about it. He started playing Woody when he was in his late 30s. Now, as he enters his eighth decade, he’s still the voice of our childhoods.
What People Get Wrong About Tom’s Aging
You’ve probably seen those clickbait headlines about "Tom Hanks' health" or "Is Tom Hanks retiring?"
The man himself has been pretty vocal about this. During his 69th year, he told Entertainment Tonight that he actually hates the idea of being 35 again. He described 35 as the age where "your metabolism stops" and "gravity starts tearing you down." He claims he’s in better shape now because his kids are grown and he actually has time to eat right and exercise.
He’s also living with Type 2 diabetes, which he’s been open about since 2013. He doesn't hide it. He just manages it. That’s why you see him doing these high-energy dives and staying active; it’s not just for the 'gram, it’s literally his lifestyle.
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The Philanthropic Side of July 9th
While Tom is off diving into the Aegean Sea (he’s an honorary Greek citizen, by the way), his fans have turned the birthday of Tom Hanks into a global charity event.
Have you heard of International Tom Hanks Day? It’s not an official holiday, but it might as well be. It usually happens around April, but it culminates in massive awareness for his favorite causes during his birthday month. Specifically, it supports Lifeline Energy, a charity that provides solar-powered and wind-up radios and lights to people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Tom himself supports over 30 charities. He’s the chair of the Hidden Heroes Campaign for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which supports military caregivers. When he celebrates a birthday, he’s usually nudging people to look at these causes rather than buying him a gift.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for the 70th Birthday
If you're a fan planning to celebrate along with him this year, here’s the reality of where he stands:
- Birth Date: July 9, 1956.
- 2026 Age: 70 years old.
- The Typewriter Obsession: He collects them. He has over 250. If you want to honor him, write a letter on a manual machine.
- The Radio Side Hustle: He’s a part-time guest DJ for Boss Radio 66. On his birthdays, he often does a "Back of the Station Wagon" set where he plays fan requests.
The Cultural Weight of the "Everyman"
There’s a reason we care about the birthday of Tom Hanks more than, say, a random Marvel star. He represents a specific type of American stability. He survived a pretty chaotic, nomadic childhood—lived in ten different houses by the time he was ten—and came out the other side as the "nicest guy in Hollywood."
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Whether it’s Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, or Cast Away, he’s played the moral compass of the country for decades. When he gets older, we all feel a little older. But seeing him jump into the ocean at nearly 70 gives everyone a little hope that aging doesn't have to be a slow slide into irrelevance.
Honestly, it’s just refreshing. In a world of fake influencers, we have a guy who celebrates turning 70 by hanging out with his wife of 38 years and acting like a big kid.
If you want to celebrate the next birthday of Tom Hanks properly, skip the fancy party. Go for a swim. Support a veteran. Maybe even dust off an old typewriter. But most importantly, stay active. Tom’s whole philosophy as he hits 70 is that life is a burden when you're young and busy, but it becomes a gift when you finally have the time to appreciate the splash.
Keep an eye on Boss Radio 66 this coming July. He’s almost guaranteed to drop a playlist that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting in the back of a 1970s wood-paneled wagon, and honestly, there’s no better way to ring in a 70th year than that.
To stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 celebrations, you can follow the official Hidden Heroes campaign or check in on Lifeline Energy’s annual "Tom Hanks Day" updates to see how your birthday wishes can actually do some good in the world.