Everyone knows the face. The same jawline, that slightly mischievous twinkle in the eyes, and a voice that sounds so much like America’s favorite dad that it’s almost eerie. When you look at Colin Hanks, you see Tom Hanks. It’s unavoidable. But if you think Colin Hanks parents and their story is just a simple tale of Hollywood royalty and red carpets, you’ve got it all wrong.
Honestly, the reality is a lot gritier. It’s a story of a "struggling-to-make-rent" dad and a mother whose life ended in a way that most celebrity tabloids don’t like to dwell on.
The Early Years: When Tom Was Just a Guy
Before the Oscars and the private islands, Tom Hanks was a 21-year-old kid in Sacramento. He wasn't a star. He was a college student at Sacramento State who had fallen in love with a fellow theater student named Susan Dillingham.
You probably know her as Samantha Lewes. That was her stage name.
Colin was born in 1977, a full year before his parents actually got married. Think about that for a second. In 1977, Tom Hanks wasn't the voice of Woody or the guy on the beach in Cast Away. He was a young father trying to figure out how to pay for diapers while acting in Shakespeare festivals.
A Marriage Built on Youth
Tom and Samantha married in 1978. They were basically kids. Tom has been incredibly candid about this in recent years, admitting that he was "too young and insecure" for the responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood at that age.
- The Struggle: They moved to New York City in 1979 with a toddler in tow.
- The Big Break: It wasn't until 1980 that Tom landed Bosom Buddies.
- The Split: By 1985, the marriage was effectively over, though the divorce wasn't finalized until 1987.
Colin and his sister, Elizabeth Ann, didn't grow up with the "movie star" version of their father. They grew up with the guy who was still trying to find a steady gig. That’s a huge distinction. It’s why Colin often says he has a "gestalt understanding" with his dad that his younger half-brothers, Chet and Truman, might not fully share. He saw the hustle.
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Samantha Lewes: The Mother History Forgot
While Tom went on to become a global icon, Samantha Lewes took a much different path. She was an actress too—she even appeared in an episode of Bosom Buddies—but her career never took flight like her ex-husband's did.
She was the primary parent for Colin and Elizabeth during those crucial years in the '80s and '90s.
The Difficult Truths
Recently, the narrative around Samantha Lewes has become more complex. In 2025, Colin's sister, E.A. Hanks, released a memoir titled The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road. It pulled back the curtain on a childhood that wasn't exactly a fairytale.
The book details a life in Sacramento that was often volatile. E.A. describes her mother as someone who struggled deeply with mental health and addiction after the divorce. There are stories of a home filled with "confusion, violence, and deprivation." It’s a heavy revelation that changes how we view the Colin Hanks parents dynamic.
It wasn't all bad, though. E.A. also writes about the love her mother had for poetry and Shakespeare. But it’s clear that while Tom was winning back-to-back Oscars, the mother of his first two children was battling demons in a house that "stank of smoke."
The Tragic Ending
In 2002, the world lost Samantha Lewes. She died of bone cancer at the age of 49.
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It was a devastating blow for Colin, who was just starting to see his own career take off with projects like Orange County and Band of Brothers. Tom reportedly stepped in to help ensure she had the best medical care possible during her final months, but the damage from the cancer was too far gone.
The "Step-Mom" Factor: Enter Rita Wilson
You can't talk about Colin’s upbringing without mentioning Rita Wilson. She’s been in the picture since 1988.
For a long time, the public saw a perfectly blended family. And for the most part, it was. Rita became a stable force in Colin's life during the years his biological mother was struggling. In her memoir, E.A. Hanks even refers to Rita as her "other mother."
But let’s be real: blending families is never perfect. There’s always been gossip about whether Tom’s relationship with Rita started before his marriage to Samantha was officially over. Tom has denied any overlap, but the timing was definitely tight.
How His Parents Shaped the Actor We See Today
Colin Hanks didn't get a free pass into Hollywood. Sure, the name helps get you in the door, but it doesn't keep you there.
If you look at Colin’s career choices—Fargo, Mad Men, his documentary work like All Things Must Pass—you see a guy who isn't trying to be a "movie star." He’s a character actor. He’s a worker.
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That work ethic comes directly from his parents.
- From Tom: He learned that acting is a craft and a job, not just a lifestyle. Tom told him, "If this is what you want to do, you can do it, but you have to really want to."
- From Samantha: He saw the raw, unglamorous side of the industry and the personal toll that life can take when things don't go according to plan.
The "Nicest Guy" Myth
Colin famously joked that everyone calls his dad the "nicest guy in Hollywood," but to him, that title belonged to John Candy. He directed a documentary about Candy because he felt the late comedian had a way of making kids feel "seen" in a way that busy, famous parents sometimes miss.
It’s a subtle hint that growing up as the son of a legend wasn't always easy, even if your dad is Tom Hanks.
What You Should Take Away
The story of Colin Hanks parents is a reminder that celebrity families are just... families. They have messy divorces. They deal with illness. They have siblings who don't always get along (we've all seen Chet Hanks' Instagram).
If you’re looking to understand Colin’s journey better, don't just watch his movies. Look at the resilience it took to navigate a childhood split between a father who was becoming a god of cinema and a mother who was fighting a private, losing battle.
Next Steps for the Curious:
If this story piqued your interest, you should definitely check out E.A. Hanks’ memoir, The 10. It’s a raw, honest look at the Sacramento years that most people never knew about. You might also want to watch The Great Buck Howard, where Colin and Tom play father and son—it’s probably the closest we’ll ever get to seeing their real-life dynamic on screen.
Ultimately, Colin managed to come out the other side as one of the most grounded, respected actors in the business. And honestly? Given everything, that’s the most impressive part of the story.