Samantha Lewes is best known as the first wife of Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks, but her own story encompasses far more than that marriage. Born Susan Jane Dillingham, she pursued her own acting career, raised two children who would go on to build notable careers of their own, and lived a largely private life even after her connection to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars became public.
Quick Facts About Samantha Lewes
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Susan Jane Dillingham |
| Known As | Samantha Lewes |
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1952 |
| Place of Birth | San Diego, California |
| Date of Death | March 12, 2002 |
| Age at Death | 49 |
| Place of Death | Sacramento, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress |
| Known For | First wife of Tom Hanks; mother of Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Ann Hanks |
| Education | Skyline High School; California State University, Sacramento |
| Ex-Husband | Tom Hanks (married 1978–1987) |
| Children | Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Ann Hanks |
| Grandchildren | Olivia and Charlotte Hanks |
| Screen Credits | Bosom Buddies (1981), Mr. Success (1984) |
| Cause of Death | Bone cancer |
Who Was Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes was an American actress best known as the first wife of Tom Hanks. Born Susan Jane Dillingham, she later adopted the professional name Samantha Lewes. While many remember her primarily through her connection to Hanks, she built a life and career distinctly her own.
Born on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California, she spent her childhood moving through different parts of the country before eventually settling in Northern California with her family. She developed an interest in acting from a young age, later studying drama and working in television during the early years of her career. Though she appeared in only a handful of productions, those roles remain part of her story. Today, she’s remembered both as Tom Hanks’ first wife and as the mother of Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Ann Hanks — a life connecting family, Hollywood, and personal resilience.
Her Early Life and Family
Susan Jane Dillingham grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. Her father, John Raymond Dillingham, served in the United States Marine Corps across World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, earning the Purple Heart during his years of military service. Her mother, Harriet Hall Dillingham, worked as an elementary school English teacher. Samantha had three siblings, and the family shared many experiences growing up together.
Her parents separated in 1962, after which her mother raised the children alone. The family lived in several places over the following years, including California, Florida, Hawaii, and Virginia, before eventually settling in Northern California to be closer to relatives. These frequent moves exposed Samantha to new schools and different ways of life, experiences that helped shape who she later became. She attended Skyline High School, where she continued developing her interest in acting, and later enrolled at California State University, Sacramento, to study the craft — a decision that would introduce her to someone who would soon become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
How She Met Tom Hanks
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks met while both were studying acting at California State University, Sacramento. They spent time together in classes and quickly discovered they shared similar aspirations for a career in entertainment, with their friendship gradually developing into a romantic relationship.
Both young and hopeful, they supported one another through a period when neither had yet found success in Hollywood, facing financial uncertainty together while working toward the same goals. Before marrying, the couple welcomed their first child, Colin Hanks — becoming parents at a young age brought new responsibilities, but they chose to move forward together, officially marrying in 1978. Tom Hanks later spoke openly about becoming a father so young, noting that his son was born when he was just 21, and reflecting that he’d simply been following what felt like the natural path of life at the time.
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Their Marriage and Family Life
After marrying in 1978, Samantha and Tom began building their family while both were still establishing themselves in entertainment. With little fame at the time, they worked hard and supported each other through the challenges of young adulthood. Their daughter, Elizabeth Ann Hanks, arrived a few years after Colin, and raising two young children while pursuing acting careers wasn’t always easy, though family remained central to their lives throughout.
During this period, Tom Hanks gradually began securing more acting roles, appearing in projects including He Knows You’re Alone, Happy Days, The Love Boat, and Family Ties, before gaining wider recognition with Splash. Samantha also continued acting during these years, balancing her career with her responsibilities as a wife and mother, even as her own acting opportunities remained modest. Their marriage lasted nearly nine years, becoming an important chapter for both of them and producing two children who would remain central to their family for years to come.
Her Children
One of the most meaningful parts of Samantha Lewes’ life was motherhood. She and Tom Hanks raised two children, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Ann Hanks, both of whom went on to build successful careers.
Colin Hanks followed his parents into acting, appearing in films and television shows including Orange County, King Kong, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The House Bunny, Vacation, Get Over It, and Whatever It Takes — a steady career that’s earned him respect as an actor in his own right. Elizabeth Ann Hanks pursued a different path, becoming a writer whose work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, and BuzzFeed; she’s also written the children’s book Piper Peregrine vs. the Consortium for Better Thinking. Colin later married publicist Samantha Bryant, and the two welcomed daughters Olivia and Charlotte — making Samantha Lewes a grandmother, though she passed away before witnessing many of her family’s later milestones. Throughout her life, Samantha remained deeply connected to her children, continuing to prioritize their upbringing even after her marriage ended.
Her Acting Career
While many remember Samantha Lewes primarily through her marriage to Tom Hanks, she pursued her own acting ambitions, studying the craft in college and working on a handful of television and film projects during her early career. One of her best-known roles came in the ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies, which premiered in 1980 and also starred Tom Hanks alongside Peter Scolari — Samantha appeared in one episode of the popular comedy series.
She also appeared in the 1984 television movie Mr. Success. While her acting career remained brief, these roles reflected a genuine interest in performing, and like many young actors, she worked to find opportunities within a highly competitive industry. As Tom Hanks’ career accelerated with films like Splash, Samantha shifted her focus more toward family, and while her acting appearances after that point remained limited, her early television work stands as a meaningful part of her personal story — she was an actress in her own right, not simply someone connected to a famous husband.
Why They Divorced
By the mid-1980s, Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks faced mounting changes in both their personal lives and careers, with the pressures of raising two children alongside growing professional responsibilities placing strain on their marriage. The couple began living separately in 1984, officially divorcing in 1987 after a marriage that had lasted approximately nine years.
Tom Hanks has spoken candidly about marrying at a young age, later explaining that he felt he entered the commitment before he was fully prepared for it — comments that offer some insight into the challenges the couple faced. Despite the marriage’s end, both remained focused on their children, working together as parents to provide Colin and Elizabeth with a stable upbringing. Reports over the years have suggested the former couple remained respectful of one another, continuing to prioritize their children following the divorce.
Her Life After the Divorce
Following her divorce, Samantha Lewes chose a considerably quieter life, staying away from public attention and rarely appearing in media coverage. Much of her time was devoted to raising her children as they grew older, favoring privacy over any return to acting or public visibility.
While Tom Hanks went on to become one of Hollywood’s most prominent stars and later married actress Rita Wilson, Samantha focused on her own life and family, avoiding media attention throughout. Tom and Rita later welcomed two sons, Chester “Chet” Hanks, born in 1990, and Truman Theodore Hanks, born in 1995, while Samantha continued sharing parenting responsibilities for Colin and Elizabeth with Tom. Though little is publicly documented about her later years specifically, her ongoing dedication to her children remained a clear and consistent thread throughout that period.
Her Illness and Death
In the early 2000s, Samantha Lewes faced the most significant challenge of her life when she was diagnosed with bone cancer. According to reports, the illness was discovered during a routine medical check-up, after which Tom Hanks reportedly helped arrange appointments with leading bone cancer specialists to ensure she received the best possible care.
Doctors later determined the cancer had spread to her lungs and likely other parts of her body, reaching a stage where treatment could no longer eliminate the disease, shifting the focus toward keeping her as comfortable as possible. Samantha Lewes passed away on March 12, 2002, in Sacramento, California, at age 49 — a devastating loss for her children, family, and friends. She was laid to rest at East Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Sacramento. Reports indicate Tom Hanks was deeply saddened by her passing, reflecting the years of shared history and mutual respect that persisted despite their divorce.
Her Legacy
Though Samantha Lewes lived a private life, her story continues to draw interest from readers around the world. Many first learn about her through her connection to Tom Hanks, only to discover she was far more than his first wife. One of her most enduring legacies lies in her family — her son Colin has built a successful acting career, while her daughter Elizabeth has become a respected writer, both keeping her memory alive through their achievements.
She’s also remembered for the steady support she provided her family through years of personal change, balancing acting, marriage, and motherhood along the way. Her story serves as a reminder that not every meaningful life unfolds in the public spotlight — sometimes the people who make the greatest impact are remembered most clearly through the families they helped raise.
Final Thoughts
Samantha Lewes lived a life defined by hope, family, and quiet resilience. She pursued her passion for acting, built a family with Tom Hanks during their early years together, and remained devoted to raising her children through both joyful and difficult periods. While her acting career was brief, she played a meaningful role in the early life of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars — and more significantly, she helped build a loving family whose achievements continue to carry her memory forward. Through marriage, motherhood, divorce, and eventually serious illness, Samantha Lewes remained a devoted presence in her children’s lives until the end, and she’s remembered today not just as a footnote in someone else’s story, but as a caring mother, a genuine actress, and a private person whose life continues to inspire curiosity and respect.
FAQs About Samantha Lewes
What was Samantha Lewes’ real name?
Her real name was Susan Jane Dillingham; she later became known professionally as Samantha Lewes.
How did Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks meet?
They met while studying acting at California State University, Sacramento, and married in 1978.
What movies and TV shows did Samantha Lewes appear in?
She appeared in Bosom Buddies and Mr. Success, her two best-known screen credits.
What happened to Samantha Lewes?
She was diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away on March 12, 2002, in Sacramento, California, at age 49.
Where is Samantha Lewes buried?
She was laid to rest at East Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Sacramento, California.
