Samantha Lewes was an American actress best known publicly as the first wife of actor Tom Hanks and the mother of his two eldest children, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks. Born Susan Jane Dillingham, she met Hanks while the two were studying theater in California and married him in 1978. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1987.
Lewes had a brief acting career of her own, with credits including an appearance on the television sitcom Bosom Buddies and a role in the 1984 television movie Mr. Success. She died in 2002 at the age of 49 after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
| Biography Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Jane Dillingham |
| Professional Name | Samantha Lewes |
| Profession | Actress |
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1952 |
| Place of Birth | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Date of Death | March 12, 2002 |
| Age at Death | 49 |
| Known For | Bosom Buddies, Mr. Success, and being Tom Hanks’ first wife |
| Former Husband | Tom Hanks |
| Marriage | 1978–1987 |
| Children | Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne “E.A.” Hanks |
| Acting Credits | Bosom Buddies (1981), Mr. Success (1984) |
| Parents | John Raymond Dillingham and Harriet Hall Collins |
| Net Worth | Not reliably documented |
Early Life and Background
Samantha Lewes was born Susan Jane Dillingham on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California. Public biographical records identify her parents as John Raymond Dillingham and Harriet Hall Collins.
Much of her early life remains outside the detailed public record. What is well documented is her interest in acting and theater. She eventually studied theater at California State University, Sacramento, where she met Tom Hanks. PEOPLE describes the two as theater students who met during the 1970s.
Relationship With Tom Hanks
Lewes and Hanks met while they were studying theater in California. Their relationship began before Hanks became a major Hollywood star, when he was still establishing himself as a young actor.
The couple welcomed their first child, Colin Hanks, in 1977. They married the following year, in 1978. Their daughter, Elizabeth Anne Hanks, was born in 1982.
Their marriage coincided with the early stages of Hanks’ acting career. A 1993 Los Angeles Times profile noted that Hanks met Lewes while living in Sacramento and that they married in 1978.
Acting Career
Although Lewes is frequently remembered primarily through her relationship with Tom Hanks, she was an actress herself.
Her documented screen work was relatively small. IMDb credits her as a waitress in an episode of the sitcom Bosom Buddies in 1981. The series starred Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari and was one of the projects that helped establish Hanks on television.
Lewes also appeared in the 1984 television movie Mr. Success, where she was credited as a customer. These remain among the principal screen credits associated with her professional acting career.
Her acting résumé was therefore considerably smaller than that of her former husband. There is no evidence that she pursued the kind of long-running Hollywood career that Hanks eventually developed.
Marriage, Separation and Divorce
Lewes and Hanks divorced in 1987 after nearly a decade of marriage. The couple had separated before the divorce was finalized.
Their separation took place as Hanks’ acting career was gaining momentum. In a 1986 Los Angeles Times profile, Hanks discussed being separated from Lewes while raising their two young children.
Hanks later reflected publicly on the difficulty of that period. In a 2020 interview cited by E! News, he described the breakup as a painful period and spoke about his feelings of responsibility toward his children.
After the divorce, Hanks married actress Rita Wilson in 1988. They later had two sons, Chet and Truman Hanks.
Children: Colin and Elizabeth Hanks
Samantha Lewes had two children with Tom Hanks: Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks, who is also known professionally as E.A. Hanks.
Colin Hanks became an actor and filmmaker. His credits include Roswell, Orange County and the television series Fargo. The Los Angeles Times has also documented his reflections on growing up as the son of divorced parents and his relationship with his father.
Elizabeth Hanks became a writer and journalist. In 2025, she published The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, a memoir that explores her childhood and her relationship with her late mother.
Elizabeth Hanks’ Memoir and Her Mother’s Story
Samantha Lewes’ life received renewed public attention following the publication of Elizabeth Hanks’ 2025 memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road.
In the book, E.A. Hanks writes about a difficult childhood and describes allegations of emotional and physical abuse involving her mother. She also explores her mother’s mental-health struggles and attempts to understand the circumstances that shaped Lewes’ life.
These accounts come from Elizabeth Hanks’ personal memoir and should be understood as her recollections and interpretations rather than as independently established facts about every aspect of Lewes’ life. They nonetheless provide the most substantial recent first-person account of Lewes and her relationship with her children.
The memoir also inspired Hanks to retrace a road trip along Interstate 10, using the journey to investigate her mother’s past and come to terms with their complicated relationship.
Death
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, in Sacramento, California. She was 49 years old. PEOPLE and E.A. Hanks’ memoir coverage identify lung cancer as the cause of death.
Some older online biographies have described her illness differently, including references to bone cancer. However, recent reporting based on her daughter’s memoir identifies lung cancer, so that is the description used here.
Her death occurred more than 15 years after her divorce from Hanks and while her children were adults or approaching adulthood.
Legacy
Samantha Lewes’ public legacy is closely connected to her family. She was Tom Hanks’ first wife and the mother of Colin and Elizabeth, both of whom later developed careers in the entertainment and writing fields.
Her own acting career was brief, but her story has received renewed attention through E.A. Hanks’ memoir. The book offers a deeply personal examination of family, memory, grief and the difficulties of understanding a parent after their death.
Net Worth
There is no reliable, independently verified estimate of Samantha Lewes’ net worth. Because she had a relatively brief acting career and maintained a largely private life, published online financial figures cannot be treated as authoritative.
Interesting Facts About Samantha Lewes
- Samantha Lewes was born Susan Jane Dillingham.
- She met Tom Hanks while they were studying theater in California.
- She and Hanks married in 1978.
- They had two children, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks.
- She had acting credits in Bosom Buddies and Mr. Success.
- Lewes and Hanks divorced in 1987.
- She died in 2002 at age 49 from lung cancer, according to recent reporting about her daughter’s memoir.
- Her daughter E.A. Hanks explored her mother’s life in the 2025 memoir The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Samantha Lewes?
Samantha Lewes was an American actress and the first wife of Tom Hanks. She was also the mother of actors Colin Hanks and writer E.A. Hanks. Her birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham.
When did Samantha Lewes marry Tom Hanks?
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks married in 1978. They had already welcomed their son Colin, who was born in 1977.
When did Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks divorce?
The couple divorced in 1987 after separating earlier in the decade.
How many children did Samantha Lewes have?
She had two children with Tom Hanks: Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks, known professionally as E.A. Hanks.
Was Samantha Lewes an actress?
Yes. Lewes had a short professional acting career. She appeared as a waitress in an episode of Bosom Buddies and was credited in the television movie Mr. Success.
When did Samantha Lewes die?
Samantha Lewes died on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49. Recent reporting identifies lung cancer as the cause of death.
What did E.A. Hanks write about Samantha Lewes?
In her 2025 memoir The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, E.A. Hanks wrote about her complicated childhood and relationship with her mother, including allegations of emotional and physical abuse. The memoir also examines Lewes’ struggles and the author’s efforts to understand her mother’s life.
Conclusion
Samantha Lewes was an actress whose public identity became closely associated with her marriage to Tom Hanks and her role as the mother of Colin and Elizabeth Hanks. She had a modest screen career of her own, including appearances in Bosom Buddies and Mr. Success, before largely stepping away from public attention.
Her story has gained renewed attention through E.A. Hanks’ 2025 memoir, which examines the complicated realities of their family history and her daughter’s effort to understand her late mother. Lewes died in 2002 at 49, leaving behind a family whose experiences continue to shape her legacy.
Don’t miss out — discover more stories only on Meet Celebrity.
