When people think of Tom Hanks, they often picture his long and happy marriage to actress Rita Wilson. But before this, Tom Hanks had another serious relationship. His first wife was a woman named Samantha Lewes. She was his college sweetheart, his first partner in fame, and the mother of his two oldest children. Her life was quiet and often private, but her story is an important part of Hollywood history. This article will share the details about Samantha Lewes, her life, and her marriage to one of the world’s most famous actors.
Quick Bio of Samantha Lewes
| Fact | Detail |
| Full Birth Name | Susan Jane Dillingham |
| Professional Name | Samantha Lewes |
| Born | November 29, 1952 |
| Died | March 12, 2002 (Age 49) |
| Place of Death | Sacramento, California |
| Cause of Death | Bone Cancer |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse | Tom Hanks |
| Married | 1978 |
| Divorced | 1987 |
| Children | 2 |
| Son | Colin Hanks (Actor) |
| Daughter | Elizabeth Hanks (Writer) |
Who Was Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes was born Susan Jane Dillingham on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California. She grew up in a busy family with several siblings. As she got older, she became interested in acting. When she decided to become an actress, she changed her name to Samantha Lewes to use as her professional stage name.
Even though she was married to a future superstar, Samantha Lewes herself was known to be very private. People who knew her described her as intelligent and focused, especially on her family. After her marriage ended, she chose to live her life far away from the cameras and gossip of Hollywood, creating a normal, quiet life for her children.
The College Romance: Meeting Tom Hanks
The story of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes begins in college. They both attended California State University in Sacramento. Both were studying acting and were part of the school’s theater program. They were young, ambitious, and shared a deep passion for their craft.
They met in an acting class in the mid-1970s and quickly fell in love. At the time, Tom Hanks was just a young, funny student; he was not the global movie star we know today. Their relationship was built on a shared dream. They were just two young people trying to make it in the acting world, supporting each other as they started their journeys.
A Young Marriage and a Growing Family
Their young love moved fast. In 1977, they welcomed their first child, a son named Colin Hanks. The following year, in 1978, the couple got married. Tom Hanks was just 21 years old at the time, and Samantha Lewes was 25. Their lives were changing quickly as they balanced a new marriage, a new baby, and their budding careers.
In 1982, their family grew again with the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Hanks. By this time, Tom Hanks’ career was starting to take off. He had landed a main role in the TV show Bosom Buddies. Samantha Lewes was now a mother of two, supporting her husband’s rising star while raising their young children.
The Acting Career of Samantha Lewes
While she was a dedicated mother, Samantha Lewes also had her own acting career, though it was brief. Her most notable role was a guest appearance on Tom Hanks’ show. She appeared in a 1981 episode of Bosom Buddies called “Cahoots.”
Her other main credit was a role in the 1984 TV movie Love Your Neighbor. People often search for “samantha lewes movies,” but her acting resume was very short. It’s clear that her focus shifted from her own career to her family, especially as her husband’s fame began to skyrocket.
The “Samantha Lewes Forrest Gump” Myth
A common question that appears online is about “samantha lewes forrest gump.” Because Forrest Gump (1994) is Tom Hanks’ most iconic film, many people wonder if his first wife was involved. The answer is simple: no, Samantha Lewes was not in Forrest Gump. The movie was filmed and released many years after she and Hanks had divorced.
Life in the Shadow of a Rising Star
In the early 1980s, Tom Hanks went from a TV actor to a major movie star. Hit films like Splash (1984) and Bachelor Party (1984) made him a household name. This sudden, intense fame can put a huge amount of pressure on a relationship. The family’s life was no longer private, and Tom Hanks was traveling constantly for work.
This difficult period took a toll on their marriage. The couple separated in 1984, just as Hanks was becoming one of the biggest stars in the world. Their divorce was finalized three years later, in 1987. Tom Hanks has spoken about this time, saying he felt he was too young and not ready for the pressures of marriage and fatherhood when they first got together. The end of the “Tom Hanks Samantha Lewes” marriage was a quiet one, without major public drama.
Life After Tom Hanks: Did Samantha Lewes Remarry?
After the divorce, Samantha Lewes made a clear choice to step out of the spotlight forever. She moved back to Sacramento to be near her family and raise her children in a normal environment.
A frequently asked question is, “did samantha lewes remarry?” Based on all public records and reports, the answer is no. She did not get married again. She dedicated her life to her two children, Colin and Elizabeth, and remained intensely private. She wanted a peaceful life, and she successfully created one for her family.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Tragically, in the early 2000s, Samantha Lewes became very ill. She was diagnosed with bone cancer. This is an aggressive and often painful disease that can spread quickly.
Despite their divorce, Tom Hanks was reportedly very supportive during her illness. It is said that he stepped in to help, covering the extensive medical bills for her treatment. This showed that they remained connected as co-parents and that he still cared for the well-being of the mother of his first children. Samantha Lewes fought the disease with courage, but it was a very difficult battle.
The Tragic Cause of Death
The “samantha lewes’ cause of death” was complications from bone cancer. After her brave fight with the illness, Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002. She passed away in her home in Sacramento, California.
She was only 49 years old when she died. Her death was a great tragedy for her family, especially for her children, who were in their early 20s. The “first wife samantha lewes cause of death” was a shock to those who knew her, marking a sad end to a life lived with quiet dignity.
The Legacy of Samantha Lewes: Her Children
The most important and lasting legacy of Samantha Lewes is her two children. Both have grown up to be successful and respected adults. Her son, Colin Hanks, followed in his parents’ footsteps and became a very successful actor. He is known for his roles in movies like Orange County and King Kong, and TV shows like Fargo and Life in Pieces.
Her daughter, Elizabeth Hanks, chose a different path. She is a successful writer and editor, with her work appearing in many well-known publications. Both Colin and Elizabeth are a testament to the loving and stable home that Samantha Lewes provided for them, away from the chaos of Hollywood.
Finding Photos and Images of Samantha Lewes
People often search for “samantha lewes photos” or “pictures of samantha lewes.” Because she lived so privately, there are very few images of her available.
Most “samantha lewes images” you can find online are from the late 1970s and early 1980s. They show her as a young woman, often on the red carpet with Tom Hanks during his Bosom Buddies era. There are almost no public photos of her from the 1990s or 2000s, as she protected her privacy very carefully.
Samantha Lewes Wiki and Public Information
If you search for a “samantha lewes wikipedia” or “samantha lewes wiki” page, you will find that it is very short. It contains only the basic facts: her birth name, her birth and death dates, her marriage to Hanks, and the names of her children.
This lack of information shows how successful she was at staying private. Her life was not lived for the public, so there is not much for a “wiki” to report. Her story is defined by her family, not by her fame.
The Story Told in Her Obituary
When she passed away in 2002, the “samantha lewes obituary” was modest and respectful. It did not focus on her as the ex-wife of a movie star. Instead, it focused on what was most important to her: her family.
The obituary remembered her as a loving mother to Colin and Elizabeth, a beloved sister, and a dear friend. It was a final tribute that honored the private, family-focused life she had built for herself. The story of her passing, “samantha lewes died,” was handled with the same quiet dignity she lived her life with.
Tom Hanks on His First Marriage
Tom Hanks has not spoken often about his first marriage, but when he has, it has been with respect and honesty. He has admitted that he was very young and that the pressures of a new career and a new family were a lot to handle at 21.
He met his second wife, Rita Wilson, in 1985 on the set of the movie Volunteers. He was separated from Samantha Lewes at the time. His marriage to Rita has been one of Hollywood’s most stable, but he has always acknowledged his first family. The story of “Tom Hanks Samantha Lewes” is one of young love that simply could not survive the unique pressures of massive, sudden fame.
Why Her Story Still Matters
Why do people still search for Samantha Lewes so many years after her death? Her story is a fascinating and human look at the private side of a very public life. She is a key part of the life story of Tom Hanks, and her children are part of his public family.
Her life is also a reminder that not everyone involved in Hollywood wants to be in the spotlight. Samantha Lewes chose a different path, prioritizing her children and her peace over fame. Her story is not a Hollywood scandal; it is a human story of love, motherhood, and a life cut tragically short.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What was Samantha Lewes’ cause of death?
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49. The cause of her death was bone cancer, following a difficult illness. - Was Samantha Lewes in Forrest Gump?
No. This is a common misconception, but Samantha Lewes did not have a role in the movie Forrest Gump. The film was released in 1994, seven years after her divorce from Tom Hanks was finalized. - What movies or TV shows did Samantha Lewes appear in?
Samantha Lewes was an actress with a few credits. Her most notable roles were a guest appearance on Tom Hanks’ 1981 sitcom Bosom Buddies and a role in the 1984 TV movie Mr. Success. - Did Samantha Lewes remarry after divorcing Tom Hanks?
No. All public information indicates that Samantha Lewes did not remarry after her divorce from Tom Hanks in 1987. She chose to live a very private life in Sacramento, California. - How did Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks meet?
They met in the mid-1970s while they were both acting students at California State University in Sacramento. They were college sweethearts before getting married in 1978.
Conclusion
Samantha Lewes was much more than just “Tom Hanks’ first wife.” She was a mother, an aspiring actress, and a private person who navigated a difficult path with grace. She met a young Tom Hanks in college, and they built a family together before fame changed everything.
While her marriage ended, her dedication to her children never did. She raised two successful and well-adjusted kids away from the spotlight. Though her life was cut short by the tragic “samantha lewes’ cause of death,” her legacy lives on through her children. Samantha Lewes is remembered as a woman who chose family and privacy, leaving behind a quiet but powerful story.
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