Samantha Lewes was an American actress and the first wife of Tom Hanks. Her real name was Susan Dillingham. She was also the mother of actor Colin Hanks and writer Elizabeth Anne “E.A.” Hanks.
Samantha met Tom while they were students at California State University, Sacramento. They married in 1978 and divorced in 1987. She had a small acting career before largely staying away from Hollywood. Samantha died from cancer in 2002 at age 49.
Samantha Lewes’ Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Professional name | Samantha Lewes |
| Real name | Susan Dillingham |
| Full birth name | Reported as Susan Jane Dillingham |
| Date of birth | November 29, 1952, reportedly |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress |
| Education | California State University, Sacramento |
| Known for | Tom Hanks’ first wife |
| Ex-husband | Tom Hanks |
| Marriage | 1978–1987 |
| Children | Colin Hanks and E.A. Hanks |
| Date of death | March 12, 2002, reportedly |
| Age at death | 49 |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Samantha Lewes’ Early Life
Samantha Lewes was born Susan Dillingham in California. Secondary sources give her full birth name as Susan Jane Dillingham and her birthday as November 29, 1952.
She was reportedly born in San Diego.
Reliable information about her childhood is limited. Secondary sources say she spent time in California, Hawaii, Florida, and Virginia while growing up.
Who Were Samantha Lewes’ Parents?
Secondary biographies identify Samantha’s father as John Raymond Dillingham and her mother as Harriet Hall Dillingham.
Her father reportedly served in the U.S. Marine Corps for many years. Her mother is described as an elementary English teacher.
Reports also say her parents separated and Samantha was mainly raised by her mother afterward.
These family details come mainly from secondary sources and are not as well documented as her later life.
Her Education
Samantha attended California State University, Sacramento.
She was interested in acting and theater. It was also at the university that she met her future husband, Tom Hanks.
How Did Samantha Lewes Meet Tom Hanks?
Samantha and Tom Hanks met while they were students at California State University, Sacramento, during the mid-1970s.
Both were interested in acting.
Tom later explained that he spent much of his college years working on plays. He acted, worked as a stage manager, and helped build sets.
Samantha and Tom eventually started a relationship.
Their Son Colin Was Born in 1977
Samantha and Tom welcomed their first child, Colin Hanks, on November 24, 1977.
Colin was born before his parents married.
Samantha and Tom married a few months later, in January 1978.
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks’ Marriage
Samantha and Tom were both young when they married.
Tom was still trying to build an acting career, and the family did not yet have the wealth he later gained through Hollywood.
Tom has spoken publicly about becoming a husband and father at a young age. He later said he was not fully prepared for all the responsibilities that came with marriage and parenthood.
Who Is Tom Hanks?
Tom Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and filmmaker.
He became one of Hollywood’s best-known actors after his marriage to Samantha.
His major films include:
- Big
- Philadelphia
- Forrest Gump
- Apollo 13
- Saving Private Ryan
- The Green Mile
- Cast Away
- Toy Story
- That Thing You Do!
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Samantha knew Tom before most of his biggest Hollywood successes.
Samantha Lewes’ Acting Career
Samantha was also an actress, although her screen career was much smaller than Tom’s.
She appeared in a 1981 episode of Bosom Buddies, the ABC sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari.
She reportedly played a waitress in the episode.
Samantha also appeared in Mr. Success in 1984.
There is little evidence that she had a large film or television career beyond these known credits.
She Enjoyed Shakespeare and Poetry
According to her daughter E.A. Hanks, Samantha enjoyed Shakespeare and poetry.
This detail was shared in E.A.’s 2025 memoir about her family and childhood.
Samantha and Tom’s Daughter E.A. Hanks
Samantha and Tom welcomed their second child, Elizabeth Anne Hanks, on May 17, 1982.
She is now commonly known as E.A. Hanks.
E.A. had small appearances in her father’s movies Forrest Gump and That Thing You Do! when she was younger.
She later became a writer.
Who Is Colin Hanks?
Samantha’s son Colin Hanks followed his parents into the entertainment industry.
He became an actor and filmmaker.
His credits include Orange County, King Kong, Fargo and the Jumanji film series.
Colin later married Samantha Bryant. They have two daughters, Charlotte and Olivia.
Both girls were born after Samantha Lewes died, so she did not live to meet her granddaughters.
Samantha and Tom Separated
Samantha and Tom reportedly separated in 1985.
Their divorce was finalized in 1987, ending a marriage of about nine years.
Tom later said that he had married very young and was not ready for all the responsibilities that came with it.
Samantha Had Primary Custody of the Children
After the divorce, Samantha initially had primary custody of Colin and E.A.
Tom had visits with his children on weekends and during summers.
According to E.A.’s later memoir, Samantha moved the children from Los Angeles to Sacramento without telling Tom in advance.
E.A. wrote that her father went to pick them up from school and discovered they were no longer there.
Colin Hanks’ Memories of His Childhood
Colin discussed his childhood during a 2018 appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast.
He said he was around eight or nine when his parents separated and he moved to Sacramento with his mother.
Colin visited his father in Los Angeles about every other weekend. He also spent summers with Tom, sometimes traveling to places where his father was working.
Samantha Lewes Never Remarried
According to Colin, Samantha did not marry again after her divorce from Tom Hanks.
He also said she did not date very much.
Tom later married actress and singer Rita Wilson in 1988. Tom and Rita went on to have two sons, Chet and Truman Hanks.
E.A. Hanks’ 2025 Memoir
Samantha’s private life received new attention in 2025 when E.A. Hanks published The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road.
In the book, E.A. wrote about her childhood and her relationship with her mother.
She described growing up with both difficult and loving experiences.
E.A. Hanks’ Claims About Her Mother
E.A. alleged in her memoir that Samantha was emotionally and physically abusive.
She wrote that her mother sometimes pushed or shook her, pulled her hair, and locked her in a closet.
E.A. also said Samantha struck her in the face when she was 14. According to E.A.’s account, Tom Hanks later gained primary custody of her.
These are E.A. Hanks’ personal allegations and memories. They should not be presented as independently proven facts.
Claims About Samantha’s Mental Health
E.A. believes her mother may have experienced bipolar disorder.
She described periods of paranoia, delusions, screaming, and changes in Samantha’s behavior.
However, E.A. also said Samantha was never formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
It would therefore be inaccurate to state that Samantha definitely had the condition.
Colin Supported His Sister
E.A. has said that she turned to Colin for support during difficult periods with their mother.
She believed her brother understood the situation because he had also grown up in the same home.
The siblings remained an important part of each other’s lives.
Tom Hanks Responded to E.A.’s Memoir
Tom Hanks publicly discussed his daughter’s memoir in May 2025.
He said he was not surprised that E.A. had the curiosity and ability to examine her family’s past.
He also described her as being very honest about her experiences.
Samantha Lewes’ Cancer Diagnosis
Samantha developed cancer before her death.
Sources disagree about the exact type.
A newer report describes her illness as lung cancer. Some older secondary sources say she had bone cancer that later spread to her lungs and brain.
Because these reports conflict, the safest confirmed fact is that Samantha died from cancer.
When Did Samantha Lewes Die?
Samantha Lewes died in 2002 at age 49.
Secondary sources give her exact date of death as March 12, 2002, and report that she died in Sacramento, California.
She died about 15 years after her divorce from Tom Hanks.
Where Was Samantha Lewes Buried?
Samantha is reported to have been buried at East Lawn Memorial Park.
This burial information comes from secondary cemetery records.
Samantha Lewes’ Net Worth
Samantha Lewes’ personal net worth was not reliably documented.
She had a small acting career, and there is not enough public financial information to provide a trustworthy estimate.
Did Samantha Lewes Have Social Media?
Samantha died in 2002, before modern social media became widely used.
She did not have known verified public social media accounts.
Her children have since shared photographs and information about her.
Facts About Samantha Lewes
- Samantha Lewes was the professional name of Susan Dillingham.
- Her full birth name is reported as Susan Jane Dillingham.
- She was reportedly born on November 29, 1952.
- Her birthplace is reported as San Diego, California.
- She attended California State University, Sacramento.
- She met Tom Hanks while they were college students.
- Their son Colin Hanks was born in 1977.
- Samantha and Tom married in January 1978.
- Their daughter E.A. Hanks was born in 1982.
- Samantha appeared in Bosom Buddies in 1981.
- She also appeared in Mr. Success in 1984.
- Samantha and Tom separated around 1985.
- Their divorce was finalized in 1987.
- Samantha did not remarry, according to Colin Hanks.
- E.A. Hanks later became a writer.
- Colin Hanks became an actor and filmmaker.
- E.A. published a memoir about her family in 2025.
- E.A. made allegations of emotional and physical abuse by her mother.
- E.A. believed Samantha may have had bipolar disorder, but Samantha was never formally diagnosed.
- Samantha died from cancer in 2002 at age 49
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