Samantha Lewes was an American actress who became known as the first wife of actor Tom Hanks. Her real name was Susan Jane Dillingham. She met Tom when they were both young and interested in acting. They later married and had two children, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Hanks.
While Tom Hanks went on to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Samantha lived a quieter life. She appeared in a few television shows and films but did not build a long acting career. After her divorce, she stayed away from the public eye.
Samantha died in 2002 at the age of 49. Her name still attracts attention because of her connection to Tom Hanks and the lives of their children. Here is a closer look at her early life, acting work, marriage, family, and story.
Who Was Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes was an American actress best known as Tom Hanks' first wife. She was born Susan Jane Dillingham but used Samantha Lewes as her professional name.
She became part of the entertainment world through acting and theatre. However, her career was much smaller than Tom Hanks' career. She appeared in a small number of television productions before stepping away from acting.
Her personal life also became a subject of public interest because she shared two children with Tom. Their son, Colin, became an actor, while their daughter, Elizabeth, developed a career as a writer.
Samantha preferred to keep her private life away from the media. This is one reason why there is limited information about her daily life and activities.
Samantha Lewes' Early Life and Education
Samantha Lewes was born on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California, United States. Her birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham. She spent her early years in the United States with her family.
Her parents were John Raymond Dillingham and Harriet Hall Dillingham. Her father served in the US Marine Corps, while her mother worked as a teacher.
Samantha attended Skyline High School before continuing her studies at California State University, Sacramento. College became an important part of her life because it introduced her to people who shared her interest in acting.
There is not much confirmed information about her childhood. She did not give many interviews about her early years, so details about her personal experiences remain limited.
How Samantha Lewes Met Tom Hanks
Samantha met Tom Hanks during their college years at California State University, Sacramento. Both were connected to the theatre community and had an interest in acting.
At that time, Tom was still learning about the entertainment business. He took part in theatre work and spent much of his time improving his acting skills.
Their shared interest helped them develop a relationship. They met before Tom became famous, and their early life together was very different from the life he later had in Hollywood.
Their relationship grew during a time when both were still young. They started building their future together before Tom had a major acting career.
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks' Marriage
Samantha and Tom Hanks married in January 1978. Their marriage began before Tom became a major Hollywood actor.
They started their family during the early years of their relationship. Their first child, Colin, was born in November 1977, shortly before their wedding.
Their second child, Elizabeth, was born in May 1982. During these years, Tom's acting career began to grow, and he started getting more attention from television and film audiences.
However, their marriage did not last. They separated in 1985, and their divorce was completed in 1987. The exact reasons for their separation have not been clearly confirmed.
Samantha Lewes' Acting Career
Samantha had a short career as an actress. She worked in television and appeared in a few productions during the early years of her marriage.
One of her known appearances was in the television comedy Bosom Buddies in 1981. The show also featured Tom Hanks and became an important early project in his career.
She later appeared in the television movie Mr. Success in 1984. These two productions are among her best-known acting credits.
Unlike Tom, Samantha did not continue working regularly in the entertainment industry. Her screen career remained small, and she later moved away from public life.
Although she did not become a famous actress, her acting work remains an important part of her personal story.
Who Are Samantha Lewes' Children?
Samantha had two children with Tom Hanks. Both children later became known for their own work.
Colin Hanks
Colin Hanks was born on November 24, 1977. He followed his parents into acting and became a successful actor.
He appeared in films such as Orange County and television shows such as Fargo. He also worked as a director and producer.
Colin has spoken about growing up in Sacramento. He explained that his father was not yet a major Hollywood star during his early childhood.
Elizabeth Hanks
Elizabeth Anne Hanks was born on May 17, 1982. She is also known as E.A. Hanks and built a career as a writer.
She has worked in the media and publishing world. She also had a few acting roles when she was younger.
In 2025, Elizabeth published a memoir called The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road. The book shares parts of her family history and her experiences growing up.
What Happened After Samantha and Tom Hanks Divorced?
After their separation, Samantha and Tom went on with their lives separately. Their divorce became final in 1987.
Tom continued working in Hollywood and became one of the most successful actors in the film industry. He later married actress Rita Wilson in 1988.
Samantha stayed away from public attention. She did not become a regular part of celebrity events or media interviews.
Their children continued to have relationships with both parents. Colin has spoken about growing up in Sacramento and seeing his father after the divorce.
Samantha's life after the separation remained mostly private. There is limited reliable information about her work and daily activities during those years.
Samantha Lewes' Death and Health
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, in Sacramento, California. She was 49 years old.
Her death was linked to cancer. Reports from established entertainment publications identify lung cancer as the cause of her death.
She passed away before her children reached many of the important stages in their adult lives. Colin continued his acting career, while Elizabeth later became a writer.
Her death also brought sadness to her family. Although Samantha was not a public figure on the same level as Tom Hanks, she remained an important part of their family history.
Elizabeth Hanks' Memoir Brought New Attention to Her Mother
More than 20 years after Samantha's death, her daughter Elizabeth shared more about their family history.
In 2025, Elizabeth released The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road. The book explores her childhood, family relationships, and memories of her mother.
Elizabeth also discussed difficult experiences from her early life. These are personal accounts from her memoir and offer her own view of their family history.
The book helped readers understand more about Samantha beyond her connection to Tom Hanks. It also brought renewed interest in Samantha's life and the years she spent raising her children.
The memoir became an important part of the public discussion about the Hanks family.
Samantha Lewes' Life Away from Hollywood
Samantha did not spend her life trying to become a major celebrity. Even though she worked as an actress, she kept a low public profile.
After her divorce, she rarely appeared in public stories about Tom Hanks. She also did not use her connection to the famous actor to build a public career.
Her story is mostly known through her acting credits, her marriage, and her children. There are still many details about her private life that have not been shared publicly.
Her children later built their own careers. Colin became an actor, and Elizabeth became a writer. Their work has helped keep public interest in their family history alive.
Final Thoughts
Samantha Lewes was an actress and the first wife of Tom Hanks. She met him during their college years, married him in 1978, and had two children with him.
Although her acting career was short, she was part of Tom's life before he became a Hollywood star. Their marriage ended in 1987, and Samantha later lived away from public attention.
She died in 2002 at the age of 49. Her daughter Elizabeth's memoir brought new attention to her story in 2025.
Today, Samantha is remembered for her family, her acting work, and her place in the early life of Tom Hanks.
(FAQs)
What was Samantha Lewes' real name?
Her real name was Susan Jane Dillingham. She used Samantha Lewes as her professional name.
When did Samantha Lewes marry Tom Hanks?
She married Tom Hanks in January 1978. They separated in 1985 and divorced in 1987.
How many children did Samantha Lewes have?
She had two children with Tom Hanks: Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks.
What was Samantha Lewes' cause of death?
She died on March 12, 2002. Established entertainment reports identify lung cancer as the cause of her death.
What TV shows and films did Samantha Lewes appear in?
Her known screen work includes the television comedy Bosom Buddies in 1981 and the television movie Mr. Success in 1984.
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