Tom Hanks is widely celebrated for his iconic roles in Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, and Cast Away, and his enduring marriage to actress Rita Wilson has long been admired.
But before his current love story, the actor lived through a very different relationship—one now coming into sharper focus through the words of his daughter.
In her new memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family And The Open Road, Elizabeth Ann Hanks—known as EA—offers an unflinching look into her upbringing and sheds light on her late mother, Samantha Lewes.
The 42-year-old writer, Tom’s only daughter, details a childhood that she says was marked by emotional turmoil, neglect, and occasional abuse during her years with Samantha.
A College Romance That Turned Into a Family
Tom met Samantha—born Susan Dillingham—while they were both studying theatre at California State University, Sacramento. Their shared love of acting quickly sparked a romance. By 1977, they welcomed their first child, Colin Hanks, and the following year they tied the knot. EA was born in 1982, completing their young family.
At the time, the couple lived modestly in a Manhattan apartment while Tom pursued his acting career. As his career gained momentum, however, the growing demands of Hollywood began to weigh on their relationship.
Divorce and Its Aftermath
By 1985, the couple separated, finalizing their divorce two years later in 1987. EA and Colin primarily lived with their mother in Sacramento, while Tom—who would later marry Rita Wilson in 1988—remained a presence in their lives through weekend visits and summer stays.
“Eventually, a divorce agreement was settled,” EA writes. “And I would visit my dad and stepmother (and soon enough my younger half-brothers) on the weekends and during summers. But from five to fourteen, years filled with confusion, violence, deprivation, and love, I was a Sacramento girl.”
Her memoir paints a complicated portrait of life with Samantha, describing moments of emotional distance, instability, and even physical violence. Despite this, EA acknowledges the complexity of the relationship, suggesting there was also love amid the hardship.
What Happened to Samantha Lewes?
Following the divorce, Samantha stepped away from the public eye and led a quieter life. Tragically, she was diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away in 2002 at just 49 years old.
Though her story has often been overshadowed by Tom’s Hollywood success and his marriage to Rita Wilson, Samantha’s role in shaping Tom’s early life and their family remains significant. Now, through EA’s candid memoir, a new light is being cast on a long-guarded chapter of the Hanks family history.
