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The Tragic And Untold Story Of Samantha Lewes: Tom Hanks' First Wife And The Shocking Memoir Claims

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Tom Hanks's first wife, Samantha Lewes, remains a figure of quiet intrigue in Hollywood history, a talented actress and the mother of two of his children whose life was tragically cut short. In late 2024, her story found a sudden, shocking new spotlight, not through a documentary or a biography, but through the candid and painful revelations of her own daughter, Elizabeth Ann "E.A." Hanks, in her debut memoir.

The narrative of Hanks’s first marriage is often overshadowed by his long-standing, seemingly perfect union with Rita Wilson. However, the nine years he spent with Samantha Lewes were foundational to his career and family life, producing his two eldest children, Colin Hanks and E.A. Hanks. The recent claims have peeled back the curtain on a far more complex and troubled private life than previously known, offering a fresh, albeit heartbreaking, perspective on the woman whose birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham.

Samantha Lewes (Susan Jane Dillingham) Complete Biography and Profile

Samantha Lewes, born Susan Jane Dillingham, was an American actress who shared a pivotal period of her life with one of the world's most beloved actors, Tom Hanks. Her legacy is carried on by her successful children and the few roles she managed to secure before her life was tragically cut short by illness.

  • Full Name: Susan Jane Dillingham
  • Known As: Samantha Lewes
  • Date of Birth: November 29, 1952
  • Place of Birth: San Diego, California, USA
  • Date of Death: March 12, 2002
  • Place of Death: Sacramento, California, USA
  • Cause of Death: Bone Cancer
  • Occupation: Actress
  • Spouse: Tom Hanks (Married: 1978; Divorced: 1987)
  • Children: Colin Hanks (b. 1977) and Elizabeth Ann "E.A." Hanks (b. 1982)
  • Education: California State University, Sacramento (where she met Tom Hanks)
  • Notable Work: Appeared in an episode of Bosom Buddies (1980) and the TV movie Mr. Success (1984).

The College Sweethearts: Tom Hanks’s First Marriage and Early Career

The story of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes began far from the bright lights of Hollywood. The couple met as students while attending California State University in Sacramento.

Their relationship was fast-paced and deeply rooted in the ambitious, early days of Tom Hanks’s career. Before they officially married, they welcomed their first child, Colin Hanks, who was born in 1977.

The couple officially tied the knot in 1978, solidifying their young family. Their second child, Elizabeth Ann Hanks, was born four years later in 1982. This period coincided with Hanks's breakout role in the sitcom Bosom Buddies (1980-1982), a show in which Samantha Lewes also secured a minor role.

As Tom Hanks's star began to rise, the pressure on the young family and their marriage became immense. The demands of a rapidly accelerating Hollywood career often create strain, and their relationship proved no exception.

The couple separated in 1985 and their divorce was finalized in 1987. Hanks began dating his future wife, Rita Wilson, in 1986, whom he had met on the set of the film Volunteers.

The Tragic End: Samantha Lewes’s Battle with Bone Cancer

After her divorce from Tom Hanks, Samantha Lewes largely stepped out of the public eye to focus on raising her two children, Colin and Elizabeth Ann. Her professional acting career was brief, and she became known primarily as the mother of the now-famous actor and writer.

In 1995, Lewes received a devastating diagnosis: bone cancer. Despite the end of their marriage, Tom Hanks reportedly provided extensive support to his ex-wife during her illness, a testament to their enduring commitment as co-parents. This support included flying her to the best medical facilities in California for treatment.

The battle was ultimately lost. Samantha Lewes passed away on March 12, 2002, in Sacramento, California, at the age of 49. Her passing was a deeply emotional moment for her family, including her children and former husband, and it brought an end to the life of the woman who was crucial in the early development of two of Hollywood's most recognizable families.

Shocking New Revelations: E.A. Hanks’s 2024 Memoir

In a significant and very recent update to the public's understanding of Samantha Lewes, her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Hanks (who goes by E.A. Hanks), published a memoir in 2024 titled The 10: A Memoir of Family And The Open Road.

This book, which received considerable media attention, detailed a traumatic and difficult childhood, including serious allegations against her late mother.

E.A. Hanks's memoir described her mother, Susan Dillingham (Samantha Lewes), as having a "troubled and abusive" side. The author's candid portrayal of her mother's struggles and the impact it had on her and her brother, Colin Hanks, has reframed the public narrative surrounding Tom Hanks's first wife.

The revelations have forced a conversation about the complexities of family life, even within celebrity circles, and the lasting effects of childhood trauma. While the public previously viewed Lewes through the lens of a tragic, young death, her daughter's memoir has painted a more nuanced and challenging picture of Tom Hanks's first marriage and the woman at its center.

The Legacy Through Her Children

Despite the challenges, Samantha Lewes’s two children have both found success and maintained a close relationship with their father, Tom Hanks, and their stepmother, Rita Wilson. The children are a living tribute to their mother's legacy:

  • Colin Hanks: A well-established actor known for roles in Fargo, Life in Pieces, and Orange County. He has often spoken warmly of his parents and his upbringing.
  • Elizabeth Ann "E.A." Hanks: A successful writer and journalist who has contributed to publications such as Vanity Fair and The Huffington Post. Her memoir, while painful, is a testament to her strength and her desire to share her full truth about her mother, Samantha Lewes.

The story of Samantha Lewes is a powerful reminder that behind every Hollywood star's public persona lies a complex personal history. The recent claims from E.A. Hanks ensure that the story of Susan Jane Dillingham will continue to be discussed, not just as a footnote in Tom Hanks's biography, but as a full, complex, and deeply human life.

who is tom hanks first wife
who is tom hanks first wife

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