Samantha Lewes was an American actress best known as the first wife of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks. Her real name was Susan Jane Dillingham. She met Tom while they were both connected to the theatre world in college. They later married and had two children, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Hanks.
Although Tom Hanks became one of the most famous actors in the world, Samantha lived a much quieter life. She had a short acting career and stayed mostly away from public attention after her divorce. Her story is also important because she was part of Tom’s life before his rise to fame and raised two children who later followed creative careers.
Samantha passed away in 2002 at the age of 49. Years later, interest in her life returned through the work of her daughter, Elizabeth. Her story offers a look at the early family life of Tom Hanks and the woman who shared that part of his life.
Who Was Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes was an American actress who became widely known as Tom Hanks’ first wife. She used Samantha Lewes as her professional name, while her birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham.
She was not a major Hollywood star, but she had a few television acting roles. Her best-known screen credits include the comedy series Bosom Buddies and the television movie Mr. Success.
Her life became closely linked to Tom Hanks after they met in college. They married in 1978 and had two children together. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1987.
Samantha later chose to live away from the public eye. She did not seek the same level of attention that came with her former husband’s growing career. Today, she is remembered mainly through her children, her acting work, and her place in Tom Hanks’ early life.
Samantha Lewes’ Early Life and Family Background
Samantha Lewes was born as Susan Jane Dillingham on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California. She grew up in the United States and later became interested in acting and theatre.
Her parents were John Raymond Dillingham and Harriet Hall Dillingham. Her father served in the US Marine Corps. He served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Her mother worked as an elementary school teacher.
Samantha attended Skyline High School and later studied at California State University, Sacramento. Her time at college helped bring her closer to the world of theatre. It was also where she met Tom Hanks, the man who would later become her husband.
There is limited public information about her childhood and family life before college. She did not often speak to the media about her early years, so many personal details remain private.
How Samantha Lewes Met Tom Hanks
Samantha met Tom Hanks while they were both connected to the theatre community at California State University, Sacramento, during the 1970s. At that time, neither of them was a major Hollywood name.
Tom was deeply interested in acting. He took part in theatre productions and also worked behind the scenes. He spent time learning about acting, stage work, and other parts of theatre.
Their shared interest in acting helped bring them together. They started a relationship while Tom was still working to build his career. Their life at that time was very different from the fame and success that came later.
Tom later became one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. However, Samantha knew him during his early years, when he was still trying to find his place in the entertainment industry.
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks’ Marriage
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks married in January 1978. Their marriage began when they were still young and before Tom became a major film star.
The couple started their family during the early years of their relationship. Their first child, Colin, was born in November 1977, shortly before their wedding. Their daughter, Elizabeth, arrived in 1982.
During their marriage, Tom’s acting career started to grow. He became known through television and later gained more attention through films. Samantha also had a few acting roles during this period.
Their marriage lasted for about nine years. They separated in 1985, and their divorce became final in 1987. The exact reasons for their separation have not been clearly established in reliable public records.
Samantha Lewes’ Acting Career
Samantha had an interest in acting and worked in television during the early part of her adult life. Although she did not have a long list of screen credits, she appeared in a few productions.
One of her known appearances was in Bosom Buddies, an American television comedy series that also featured Tom Hanks. She played a waitress in an episode in 1981.
She also appeared in the 1984 television movie Mr. Success. These are two of the best-known acting credits linked to her professional name.
Unlike Tom, Samantha did not continue building a large career in front of the camera. Her acting work remained limited, and she later stayed away from the entertainment spotlight.
Her short acting career is still an important part of her biography. It shows that she had her own connection to the entertainment world rather than being known only through her marriage.
Her Son Colin Hanks and His Acting Career
Samantha and Tom welcomed their first child, Colin Hanks, on November 24, 1977. He was born before their parents’ marriage and spent his early childhood in a family connected to theatre and acting.
Colin later followed his parents into the entertainment industry. He became an actor and appeared in several popular films and television shows.
Some of his well-known projects include Orange County and the television series Fargo. He has also worked as a director and producer.
In interviews, Colin has spoken about growing up in Sacramento. He explained that his childhood was different from what people might expect because his father was not yet the major Hollywood star he later became.
His career gave him his own place in the entertainment industry. Although he is the son of Tom Hanks, he has built a separate career through his acting and other creative work.
Her Daughter Elizabeth Hanks and Her Writing Career
Samantha and Tom welcomed their second child, Elizabeth Anne Hanks, on May 17, 1982. She is also known by the name E.A. Hanks.
Elizabeth developed an interest in writing and later built a career as a writer. She has also worked in the entertainment industry and had small acting roles when she was younger.
One of her most important works is her 2025 book, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road. In this book, she looks back at her childhood, family history, and relationship with her late mother.
The book helped readers learn more about Samantha’s life from her daughter’s point of view. It also brought new attention to the family experiences that took place after Tom and Samantha separated.
Elizabeth’s career is different from her brother Colin’s. While Colin focused mainly on acting and directing, Elizabeth chose writing as her main career.
Divorce and Changes in Family Life
Samantha and Tom’s marriage came to an end during the 1980s. They separated in 1985, and their divorce was completed in 1987.
Their separation happened while Tom’s acting career was growing. He was becoming more successful in television and films, while Samantha chose a more private life.
After the divorce, Samantha and Tom had to manage their family life separately. Their children were still young, and they spent important parts of their childhood in Sacramento.
Tom remained involved in his children’s lives. Colin later spoke about his childhood and explained that he continued to see his father after the divorce.
Tom married actress Rita Wilson in 1988. They later welcomed two sons, Chester and Truman. This gave Colin and Elizabeth two younger half-brothers.
There is no need to assume that one particular event caused Samantha and Tom’s divorce. The exact reasons for their separation have not been fully confirmed.
What Elizabeth Hanks Revealed About Her Mother
In 2025, Samantha’s daughter Elizabeth shared more about her family history in her memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road.
The book describes Elizabeth’s difficult childhood and her experiences while living with her mother after her parents separated. She wrote about problems at home, fear, and painful family memories.
Elizabeth also shared her efforts to understand her mother’s past. During a road trip along Interstate 10, she explored family history and looked through her mother’s old writings and diaries.
The memoir includes serious allegations about Samantha’s behaviour during Elizabeth’s childhood. These are Elizabeth’s personal accounts and should be understood as her recollections rather than independent findings.
The book also shows that family relationships can be complicated. Elizabeth’s story brought a different side of Samantha’s life into public discussion, beyond her connection to Tom Hanks.
Tom Hanks publicly supported his daughter’s decision to tell her story. He also spoke about the importance of understanding that family histories can be difficult.
Samantha Lewes’ Death and Cause of Death
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, in Sacramento, California. She was 49 years old at the time of her death.
Reports from established entertainment publications identify lung cancer as the cause of her death. She had been dealing with the illness before she passed away.
Her death was a difficult loss for her family. Her children were still young adults, and both later spoke about different parts of their family history.
Samantha did not live to see many of the important events in her children’s later lives. Colin continued to build his acting career, while Elizabeth became a writer.
Although she had lived away from public attention for many years, her death and family history continued to attract interest from people who wanted to learn more about Tom Hanks’ first marriage.
Samantha Lewes’ Life and Legacy
Samantha Lewes is often remembered as Tom Hanks’ first wife. However, her story includes more than her marriage to a famous actor.
She had her own interest in theatre and acting. She appeared in television productions and became the mother of two children who later developed careers in creative fields.
Her son Colin became a well-known actor, while her daughter Elizabeth became a writer. Both have shared parts of their family history through their work and public interviews.
Her name also returned to public attention through Elizabeth’s 2025 memoir. The book gave readers more information about Samantha’s family life, although some details remain personal accounts that cannot be independently confirmed.
Today, Samantha is remembered as an important part of Tom Hanks’ early family life. Her story also shows that a person connected to a famous family can have a life and history of their own.
Final Thoughts
Samantha Lewes was an actress, mother, and the first wife of Tom Hanks. She met him during their college years, married him in 1978, and raised two children with him before their divorce in 1987.
Although her acting career was short, she remains part of an important chapter in the Hanks family story. Her children, Colin and Elizabeth, went on to build their own careers in entertainment and writing.
Her life received renewed attention after Elizabeth published her memoir in 2025. Even though much about Samantha remains private, her story continues to interest readers who want to understand the family life behind one of Hollywood’s most famous actors.
(FAQs)
What was Samantha Lewes’ real name?
Samantha Lewes’ birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham. She used Samantha Lewes as her professional name during her acting career.
When did Samantha Lewes marry Tom Hanks?
Samantha Lewes married Tom Hanks in January 1978. They separated in 1985, and their divorce became final in 1987.
How many children did Samantha Lewes have?
She had two children with Tom Hanks. Their names are Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks, also known as E.A. Hanks.
What happened to Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49. Reports identify lung cancer as the cause of her death.
What movies and TV shows did Samantha Lewes appear in?
Samantha appeared in the television comedy Bosom Buddies in 1981 and the television movie Mr. Success in 1984. These are her best-known acting credits.
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