• Samantha Lewes was an American actress.
• She was the ex-wife of Hollywood icon, Tom Hanks.
• She had two children with Tom Hanks, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Hanks.
• She had a net worth of approximately $15 million.
• She passed away in March 2002 after battling bone cancer.
Samantha Lewes was a talented American actress who made iconic appearances in productions such as “Mr. Success,” and was known better for being the ex-wife of the Hollywood icon, Tom Hanks.
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Age, Early Life, Education Background
Samantha was born Susan Jane Dillingham under the Sagittarius zodiac sign on 29 November 1952, in California, US. The late actress was secretive and kept her early life away from the limelight. She was born to her mother, an elementary English teacher and her father, John Dillingham, a decorated marine who served in the Vietnam War, World war II, and the Korean War and got Purple Heart Award for his service to the US.
Samantha had a difficult childhood as her parents got separated when she was still young. Her mother was forced to raise her single-handedly.
Samantha spent her childhood in different states including Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, and California and after her mother divorced her dad, they had to move to Northern California close to her uncle, David. She was raised up together with her three siblings here.
Samantha did not reveal where she went to high school. She, however, matriculated at Sacramento State University, where she met with Tom Hanks, a man whom she would later on marry and divorce. She studied acting at the university.
Career
Lewes had been enthusiastic about acting ever since she was a child. She was enrolled to study acting at the university when she finished her high school studies. She started using her professional name here.
Samantha appeared as a guest and played a role of a waiterless in one of 1981’s sitcom, “Bosom Buddies” episodes. “Bosom Buddies” aired on ABC from 1980-1982 and was created by Thomas Miller, Chris Thompson, and Robert Boyett. Coincidentally, Tom Hanks also featured in the show alongside Rita Wilson, Telma Hopkins, Holland Taylor, and Donna Dixon.
The late famed actress made her second appearance in “Mr. Success” telefilm, created by Jack Shea. “Mr. Success” revolves around a character who breaks through tough family ties to earn great success. It stars Patrick Cochran and James Coco.
Personal Life, Husband
Tom Hanks once revealed how he met Samantha during a certain interview conducted by Desert Island Discs. He confessed that the duo were high school lovebirds who met and fell in love at a very young age (they had already welcomed a son when he was barely 21).
He admitted to have been motivated by loneliness to get married at 23. Samantha had a son, Colin L. Dillingham, who had been born prior to their marriage in 1977. The duo developed a close relationship that eventually led to their marriage in September 1978. Their son’s name changed to Colin Hanks upon their union. They got their second child, a daughter, Elizabeth Hanks, in 1982.
Tom Hanks was reportedly in an extramarital affair with Rita Wilson in 1987, a speculation that resulted to his wife, Samantha, divorcing him. After the divorce, Samantha kept away from the limelight and kept a low profile. She did not get into another relationship. Hanks went on to tie the knot with Rita Wilson one year after separating from his first wife. The duo welcomed two children together, both sons named Truman Hanks and Chester Hanks.
The couple is allegedly living a happy life together in L.A., California without any rumours of divorce or separation.
Samantha Charged Tom for Harassment
Tom opened up and spilled the beans about his marriage with Samantha recently. As previously stated, he had an affair with Rita Wilson and had ended up divorcing Samantha to marry Rita. Upon the divorce, Samantha accused Tom Hanks for harassment and death threats. She went on to file for a restraining order against her ex-husband. She added that, ‘Tom has verbally abused me repeatedly and has been humiliating me for the past three months in my home. This has caused me to suffer great deal of emotional distress.’
Samantha Lewes Children
Samantha’s children, Elizabeth Hanks and Colin Hanks have chosen to follow in their parents’ footsteps and are currently accomplished actors.
Colin is a famous actor who is known better for his spectacular performance in “The Good Guys” and “Orange County.” He is also famous for his contribution to the creation of “Talking Tom and Friends” by voicing Talking Tom.
Her daughter, Elizabeth, has appeared severally in minor roles in movies such as 1996’s “That Thing You Do” and “Forrest Gump.” In addition to acting, she has chosen to pursue writing and has previously worked with Huffington Post as their full-time editor. She edits children’s books at L.A. Review of Book as of now. Elizabeth is known better for her contribution to the print media compared to her career in acting.
Who is Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of the most successful Hollywood actors who has bagged two Best Actor Academy Awards consecutively.
Early Life, Age
The award winning actor was born in 1956, in California, US. Tom’s father took custody of him upon divorcing his mother in 1960. Hanks moved to many US states while he was living with his single father. He grew up a very shy child who was very good and disciplined in school.
Tom has been passionate about acting ever since he was a kid. He attended Skyline High School before matriculating in Chabot College. He, however, shifted to California State University shortly afterwards. Tom dropped out of college later on and decided to pursue acting as a full-time career.
Career
Tom has starred in countless Spielberg films including “The Polar Express” and “The Terminal.” He received many positive reviews for his role in “Da Vinci Code” which was a major production success (it garnered close to $750 million!).
Apart from his appearance in “The Simpsons Movie,” he has featured in many others including “Forrest Gump” and “A Man Called Ove.” The famed actor had received many awards such as Kennedy Centre Honours, Presidential Medal of Freedom, AFI Life Achievement Awards, among others.
Personal Life and Net Worth
Tom Hanks married Samantha in 1978 but got divorced in 1987; they had two children. He later married Rita Wilson. Tom is a religious man and goes to church regularly. He has type 2 diabetes (diagnosis was in 2013). He has amassed a huge fortune from his acting career and is now considered one of the wealthiest actors with a net worth of close to $450 million.
Body Measurements
Samantha had gorgeous reddish-brown hair and light brown eyes. She was 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall and weighed around 128lbs (58kgs). Samantha’s vital statistics were not known to the public.
Net Worth
Samantha had a short career as an actress. However, she was able to amerse a huge fortune as well as fame and before she passed away, she was worth close to $15million. The late actress also got a divorce settlement after she separated from Hanks, which also contributed to her net worth.
Samantha’s Death
Samantha received some bad news that she had been living with bone cancer shortly after she divorced her husband Tom in early 2000s. The disease had already spread to her vital organs including the lungs. Her ex-husband, Tom did all he could for his ill wife; he even hired a specialist for her. Unfortunately, there was no cure for her ailment; she passed away in March 2002, aged 49 years, leaving her fans, friends, and family devastated. Samantha was laid to rest in Sacramento, California.
