Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks (also credited as Thomas Jeffrey Hanks) is an American actor and filmmaker born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California. Celebrated for moving effortlessly between comedy and drama, he has become one of the most recognizable screen performers of his era and a widely cited American cultural touchstone.

Hanks first broke through as a leading man in crowd-pleasing comedies, then deepened his reputation with award-winning dramatic work. He earned back-to-back Academy Awards for his performances in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump—the latter remaining one of his signature roles. His filmography spans beloved romances like Sleepless in Seattle and major historical dramas such as Saving Private Ryan, where he played Captain Miller.

Beyond acting, Hanks expanded into producing and directing, including high-profile collaborations with Steven Spielberg on multiple projects. He has also left a lasting mark in animation as the voice of Woody in Toy Story, and he fronted the Robert Langdon thrillers, including The Da Vinci Code. Other standout credits include Apollo 13 and The Green Mile, underscoring a career defined by range, empathy, and enduring audience appeal.