Meet Samantha Lewes-First Wife Of Actor Tom Hanks

Famous as the name Samantha Lewes whose real name is Susan Jane Dillingham was one of the big names in Hollywood during the 80s and 90s. The actress who left this world in 2002 is still famous among us. Most of the people appreciated her work in films such as Mr Success (1980) and Bosom Buddies (1984).

Apart from her work she also caught the limelight as the first wife of the famous actor, Tom Hanks, and mother of Elizabeth Hanks and Colin Hanks. Some more personal and professional details of the legendary actress here. 

Samantha Lewes’ Biography

Late actress Samantha Lewes was born on 29th November 1952 in the Pacific Coast city of California, San Diego, USA. She was born as Susan James Dillingham on 29th November 1952.  She is of American nationality as she is native of San Diego and belongs to the white ethnical group.

Cause Of Death

Samantha Lewes often became sick after getting a divorce with Tom Hanks. During her regular check-up, it was revealed that she was diagnosed with bone cancer which was the reason for her sickness. Even after the divorce, Hanks brought her in hospitals and paid the bill for her treatment.

Lewes cancer had already affected her lungs and brains, and it was already too late for the treatment.   

She died on 12th March 2002 in Sacramento, California. When Hanks was mourning her death, his children and current wife Rita Wilson helped him to recover from her demise. 

Relationship History

Late Actress, Samantha Lewes met Tom Hanks at Sacramento State University. This high school sweetheart couple became a parent of their first son Colin Hanks in 1977. And two year later, then 26-year-old Lewes married her high school boyfriend, Tom Hanks when he was 23.     

The duo was very happy and was again blessed together with a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Hanks, born in 1982. Tom later said that having a kid at the age of 21 was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Soon after getting married, Tom and Samantha started facing relationship issues which bought a massive impact in their conjugal life and eventually they got separated in 1984. The couple finalized their divorce in 1987.  

Even after the divorce, Samantha and Tom remained as a friend and took mutual custody of their kids. After divorcing from her, Lewes’ husband Tom Hanks got married to actress Rita Wilson.

Samantha Lewes’ Children

Samantha Lewes would have been a proud and loving mother of her kid if she was alive. While her first son, Colin Hanks is rapidly earning fame as a filmmaker and is also following his father’s footsteps. Lewes’s daughter Elizabeth Hanks is also a famous actress and a writer. She is also a former editor of The Huffington Post.

Unfortunately, Samantha did not get a chance to celebrate most of their children’s successes. Samantha Lewes died in the same year when her son Colin received MTV Movie Awards nomination under the Best Male Breakthrough Performance Category for his Orange County role in 2002. 

Career And Net Worth

Samantha Lewes was an American actress who made her appearance in the TV show called Bosom Buddies along with her ex-husband, Tom Hanks.

Lewes had a short span in her acting career. Her fans mostly known her for being the first wife of Hollywood star Tom Hanks. Samantha, however, appeared in a few projects alongside her ex-husband Tom Hanks. From 1980-82, Samantha Lewes portrayed a waitress character in a TV sitcom Bosom Buddies. Hanks was one of the major casts in the sitcom. In 1984, she appeared in a minor role of a customer in a comedy film Mr Success.    

Samantha then retired from acting. But, her ex-husband is still working in Hollywood films and series. He has won numerous awards including Academy Award and Golden Globe. Some of his most notable movies are Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Catch Me If You can and Philadelphia. 

Samantha was worth $3 million at the time of her demise. On the other hand, her husband, Hanks, has a net worth of  $350 Million as of 2019.

The legendary actor was paid more than $74 million in 2006 and 2007 for his work. He also collected $45 million in the years 2010 from his various work, and in the same year, he bought $26 million Pacific Palisades mansion in California. For his movie Saving Private Ryan, he was paid $40 million.