Ask most people to name Tom Hanks’ first wife, and you’ll likely get a blank stare — but Samantha Lewes was an actress in her own right, appearing alongside Hanks in the early days, before their 1978–1987 marriage produced two children, including Colin Hanks. This article pieces together her life, career, and the private circumstances that kept her out of the spotlight.
Full name: Samantha Lewes · Born: November 29, 1952 · Died: March 12, 2002 · Occupation: Actress · Spouse: Tom Hanks (1978–1987) · Children: 2 (Colin, Elizabeth)
Quick snapshot
- She was born Susan Jane Dillingham in 1952. (IMDb (industry-standard film database))
- She married Tom Hanks in 1978 and divorced in 1987. (HELLO! (British celebrity magazine))
- She had two children: Colin and Elizabeth. (People (celebrity news magazine))
- She died of bone cancer in 2002. (The List (online lifestyle magazine))
- Exact reasons for divorce remain private. (HELLO! (British celebrity magazine))
- The full extent of her acting career after the early 1980s is sparsely documented. (IMDb (industry-standard film database))
- Details of her relationship with Tom Hanks after divorce. (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Studied theater with Hanks at Sacramento State. (HELLO!)
- Co-starred in ‘Bosom Buddies’ (1980). (The Famous People (biographical database))
- Divorced in 1987. (The List)
- Interest in her legacy is often tied to the Hanks family. (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Her son Colin is a successful actor. (People (celebrity news magazine))
- No comprehensive biography exists. (IMDb (industry-standard film database))
Eight core facts about Samantha Lewes, drawn from biographical and public records, one pattern: a life lived largely out of the spotlight despite a famous marriage.
| Full name | Samantha Lewes (born Susan Jane Dillingham) |
| Date of birth | November 29, 1952 |
| Place of birth | San Diego, California, USA |
| Date of death | March 12, 2002 |
| Cause of death | Bone cancer |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse | Tom Hanks (1978–1987) |
| Children | Colin Hanks (b. 1977), Elizabeth Hanks (b. 1982) |
How many children did Tom Hanks have with Samantha Lewes?
Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Hanks
- Colin Hanks, born November 24, 1977 (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Elizabeth Ann Hanks, born May 17, 1982 (People (celebrity news magazine))
Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes had two children during their marriage. Colin went on to become an actor, while Elizabeth has maintained a much lower public profile. Colin was born just months before his parents’ wedding, and Elizabeth arrived as the marriage began to show strain.
What this means: The Hanks family tree first branches from this largely private partnership, creating a foundation for the deeply close family Tom Hanks is known for today.
Their relationship with their father
Unlike many celebrity divorces, the children of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes grew up relatively shielded from Hollywood’s messiest impulses.
Tom Hanks has publicly emphasized the importance of family, and his relationship with his two eldest children appears solid. Colin Hanks has spoken positively about his father’s influence and support, and the family unit includes Hanks’ second wife, Rita Wilson. The presence of a tight-knit blended family speaks to a parentage that managed to transcend a difficult split.
The pattern: A divorce did not derail the family unit, suggesting a deliberate effort to prioritize the children over personal grievances.
Why did Tom Hanks leave Samantha Lewes?
The end of their marriage
Married: 1978 · Separated: 1985 · Divorced: 1987
The marriage that began at California State University reportedly ended on set. By the time Tom Hanks met Rita Wilson on the set of Volunteers in 1984, the marriage to Lewes was already fraying. The couple separated in 1985, and the divorce was finalized in 1987 (The List (online lifestyle magazine)). The specific reasons for the split have never been publicly detailed by either party.
The catch: The public narrative is one of an actor outgrowing his first marriage, but the private reality for Lewes involved rebuilding a life entirely out of the frame.
Samantha Lewes’ health struggles
- Diagnosed with bone cancer in the late 1990s (The List (online lifestyle magazine))
- Passed away on March 12, 2002, at age 49 (The List (online lifestyle magazine))
In the years following the divorce, Lewes faced a serious health battle. According to biographical reports, she was diagnosed with bone cancer in the late 1990s. The exact course of the illness varies between sources. Some accounts, including a report in People (celebrity news magazine), cite lung cancer as the cause of death. The List clarifies that the bone cancer spread to her lungs, offering a reconciliation of the conflicting reports.
The pattern: The conflicting reports on her cause of death underscore how little primary documentation exists about her life, leaving her final months to pieced-together media accounts.
Tom Hanks’ subsequent marriage to Rita Wilson
While Hanks moved on with his on-set romance, Lewes remained out of the public eye, raising their two children away from the Hollywood circuit.
Tom Hanks married Rita Wilson in 1988, just a year after his divorce from Lewes was finalized. The marriage to Wilson became one of Hollywood’s most stable relationships. Meanwhile, Lewes did not remarry (People (celebrity news magazine)). She focused on her children and lived a deliberately private life, away from the media attention that increasingly surrounded her famous ex-husband.
Did Samantha Lewes remarry?
Her life after divorce
- Did not remarry (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Maintained a private life in California (People (celebrity news magazine))
After her divorce, Samantha Lewes did not pursue another public relationship or marriage. She largely maintained a private profile, focusing on raising Colin and Elizabeth away from the glare of Hollywood paparazzi. This choice cemented her legacy not as a public figure, but as a dedicated parent who prioritized normalcy for her children.
The implication: Her decision to not remarry or raise her profile is a defining act, contrasting sharply with the high-profile lives of the Hanks-Wilson family.
Her acting career
Samantha Lewes’ screen career spans a handful of credits, primarily on television, and is almost entirely confined to the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Lewes’ acting portfolio is slim. Her most notable credit remains the 1980 sitcom Bosom Buddies, where she co-starred with her then-husband Tom Hanks (The Famous People (biographical compilation website)). According to biographical databases, she also appeared in the television movie Mr. Success (1984). After her divorce, she largely stepped away from the screen.
What this means: Lewes’ acting career was a relatively brief chapter that took a back seat to family life, a path she chose long before her divorce was final.
Why did Colin Hanks change his name?
Colin Hanks’ professional name
Birth name: Colin Lee Dillingham · Professional name: Colin Hanks
Colin Hanks was born Colin Lee Dillingham (IMDb (industry-standard film database)), using his mother’s maiden surname. When he began his own acting career, he chose to adopt the Hanks surname. In interviews, he has suggested the professional decision allowed him to connect with his paternal lineage while forging his own identity in an industry where his father is a living legend.
The catch: Taking the name Hanks opened doors but also set a relentless comparison to one of the most beloved actors of all time.
His relationship with his father’s fame
Colin Hanks has navigated his career with a balance of humility and humor about his father’s towering presence in Hollywood.
Colin Hanks has built a solid career as an actor and producer, starring in films like Orange County and the TV series Fargo. He often speaks warmly about his father but also about the independence of his mother, Samantha Lewes. He credits her with giving him a stable upbringing away from the Hollywood frenzy.
The pattern: Colin’s relationship to his father’s fame is nuanced, and his willingness to discuss his family openly keeps his mother’s memory part of the conversation.
Is Tom Hanks close to all of his children?
Tom Hanks’ parenting style
- Tom Hanks has four children: Colin, Elizabeth, Chet (with Rita Wilson), and Truman (with Rita Wilson). (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Public accounts suggest a close-knit family across both marriages.
Tom Hanks is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most grounded stars, a reputation that extends to his family life. He shares a strong bond with all four of his children. Colin frequently appears alongside his father at events, and the family famously unites to support one another. Hanks has credited his children with keeping him humble. The bond shows his desire for stability.
What this means: Tom Hanks’ family life reflects a desire for stability, a value he likely formed during his early years with Samantha Lewes.
Relationships with Colin, Elizabeth, and Chet
While the blended Hanks family appears harmonious, the public narrative is almost entirely silent on Elizabeth Hanks, reinforcing the family’s respect for privacy.
Colin is the most public face of the Hanks children. Elizabeth and Chet lead much more private lives. Chet has had a public career as an actor, but has also grappled with personal struggles. Tom Hanks has been a staunch supporter of his son, emphasizing unconditional paternal love. The entire family dynamic speaks to a patriarch who fiercely protects the privacy of his loved ones.
The pattern: The uneven distribution of public attention among the Hanks children suggests the family collectively decides who steps into the spotlight and who stays protected.
Timeline of Samantha Lewes’ Life
- November 29, 1952: Born Susan Jane Dillingham in San Diego, California. (IMDb)
- 1970s: Began acting career; adopted stage name Samantha Lewes. (The Famous People)
- 1978: Married Tom Hanks. (HELLO!)
- 1977–1982: Gave birth to children Colin and Elizabeth. (People)
- 1980: Co-starred with Tom Hanks in Bosom Buddies. (The Famous People)
- 1987: Divorced Tom Hanks. (The List)
- Late 1990s: Diagnosed with bone cancer. (The List)
- March 12, 2002: Passed away in Sacramento, California. (The List)
The pattern: The timeline highlights how little of her life was lived in the public eye, despite her proximity to fame.
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- She was born Susan Jane Dillingham in 1952. (IMDb)
- She married Tom Hanks in 1978 and divorced in 1987. (HELLO!)
- She had two children: Colin and Elizabeth. (People)
- She did not remarry after divorce. (People)
What’s unclear
- Exact reasons for divorce remain private.
- The full extent of her acting career after the early 1980s is sparsely documented.
- Details of her relationship with Tom Hanks after divorce are not publicly known.
- Conflicting reports on cause of death (bone cancer vs lung cancer).
- Whether she had any siblings is not publicly documented.
The implication: The gaps in public knowledge about Lewes underscore her success in maintaining privacy.
In their words
“The List reports that Lewes was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2001 and that the disease later spread to her lungs.”
— The List (online lifestyle magazine)
“People reported lung cancer as the cause of death, conflicting with the more frequently repeated bone-cancer account.”
— People (celebrity news magazine)
What this means: The conflicting accounts from reputable sources illustrate the difficulty of reconstructing her life from secondary records.
Lasting legacy
Samantha Lewes’ life is a study in contrasts. She was the first wife of one of the most famous actors alive, an actress in her own right, and the mother of two children who would go on to navigate Hollywood from very different angles. She chose privacy over publicity, family over fame. For the millions who admire the Hanks family legacy, recognizing Samantha Lewes as the person who shaped the early life of Tom Hanks and raised his first two children adds a necessary complexity to the narrative. Samantha Lewes’ story reminds us that not every life connected to fame needs to be fully illuminated by the paparazzi’s flashbulb.
Frequently asked questions
What was Samantha Lewes’ cause of death?
She died of bone cancer on March 12, 2002, at age 49. Some sources originally reported lung cancer, but biographical accounts indicate the bone cancer spread to her lungs.
What movies did Samantha Lewes appear in?
Her credited roles include the TV series Bosom Buddies and the television movie Mr. Success.
Where was Samantha Lewes born?
She was born in San Diego, California, on November 29, 1952.
Did Samantha Lewes have any siblings?
Public biographical records do not detail her immediate family beyond her marriage to Tom Hanks and her two children.
How did Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes meet?
They met while studying theater at California State University, Sacramento, and began a romantic relationship there.
Is there a Wikipedia page for Samantha Lewes?
There is no prominent standalone Wikipedia article for her, which speaks to the lack of comprehensive biographical coverage of her life.
How old was Samantha Lewes when she died?
She was 49 years old.
The pattern: The frequency of these questions shows a continuing public curiosity about a woman who chose to stay out of the spotlight.
Related reading
- Michelle Trachtenberg Cause of Death: What We Know
- Sharon Tate: Life, Death, and Lasting Hollywood Legacy
What this means: These related stories continue the theme of exploring lives touched by fame but often overshadowed.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.