Samantha Lewes was an American actress and the ex-wife of the famous Hollywood actor Tom Hanks. Born on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California, USA, she began her career in the late 1970s, appearing in several TV shows and movies, including “Bosom Buddies” and “Mr. Success.” Despite a relatively short career, she left a significant impact on Hollywood history, not just as an actress, but also as a mother and wife.
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Lewes married Tom Hanks in 1978, and the couple had two children together, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Hanks. During their marriage, the couple moved to New York City, where they continued to pursue their acting careers. However, their relationship came to an end in 1987, and they divorced after nine years of marriage.
Despite their separation, Hanks has always spoken highly of Lewes, describing her as an essential influence on his life and career. He has often spoken publicly about how he met Lewes in college, where they were both drama students. They began dating, and soon after, Lewes became pregnant with their first child, Colin. Hanks has said that this event forced him to take responsibility for his life and his career, as he realized he had a family to support.
Table of Contents
Profile summary
| Real name | Susan Jane Dillingham |
| Popularly known as | Samantha Lewes |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | November 29th, 1952 |
| Date of death | March 12th, 2002 |
| Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
| Place of birth | San Diego, California, United States |
| Place of death | Sacramento, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height in feet | 5’5″ |
| Height in centimetres | 165 |
| Weight in pounds | 121 |
| Weight in kilograms | 55 |
| Body measurements in inches | 36-27-38 |
| Body measurements in centimetres | 91-68-96 |
| Hair colour | Light brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Mother | Harriet Hall Dillingham |
| Father | John Raymond Dillingham |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-husband | Tom Hanks (from 1978 to 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Grandchildren | 2 |
| Profession | Actress |
As an actress, Lewes’ most significant role was in the 1985 TV movie “The Executioner’s Song,” for which she received critical acclaim. She played the character of Nicole Baker, a former girlfriend of the real-life convicted murderer Gary Gilmore. Lewes’ performance in this movie is regarded as one of her best, and it is a testament to her acting skills.
However, Lewes’ life was not without its struggles. In 1987, she was diagnosed with bone cancer, which she fought valiantly. She underwent chemotherapy in an attempt to fight the disease, but unfortunately, it was too aggressive, and she passed away on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49. Her death was a significant loss for the entertainment industry, as she had shown great potential as an actress, and her personal life was a source of inspiration to many.
Despite her short life and career, Lewes is remembered for the impact she had on those around her. Hanks has often credited her for helping him to become the man he is today, and her influence on his acting career cannot be overstated. Her children have also spoken about her, describing her as a loving mother who always put her family first.
In conclusion, Samantha Lewes was an American actress and the ex-wife of Tom Hanks. Her short career was marked by critical acclaim for her role in the 1985 TV movie “The Executioner’s Song,” but she is best remembered for her role as a mother and wife. Although her life was cut short by bone cancer, her influence on those around her, particularly Hanks, continues to be felt to this day. Her legacy as a talented actress and a devoted mother and wife is one that will not be forgotten.
Samantha Lewes Early Life
Samantha Lewes was born on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California, USA. Her birth name was Susan Jane Dillingham, and she was the daughter of Harriet Hall Dillingham and Vernal S. Dillingham. Not much is known about her early life or her childhood, but it is known that she grew up in California.
Lewes attended community college in Sacramento before transferring to California State University in Sacramento, where she met Tom Hanks. The two were both drama students, and they began dating soon after they met. They fell in love quickly, and in 1977, they moved to New York City together to pursue their acting careers.
Lewes’ early acting career consisted of small roles in TV shows and movies. Her first credited role was in the TV show “Family” in 1979. She then appeared in the TV movie “The Fighter” in 1983, playing the role of a nurse. However, it was her performance in the 1985 TV movie “The Executioner’s Song” that put her on the map.
In “The Executioner’s Song,” Lewes played the character of Nicole Baker, the former girlfriend of convicted murderer Gary Gilmore, played by Tommy Lee Jones. Lewes’ performance in this movie was praised by critics, and it earned her critical acclaim. The movie won several awards, including two Golden Globes.
Despite her success in “The Executioner’s Song,” Lewes’ acting career never really took off. She appeared in a few more TV shows and movies, including “Mazes and Monsters” and “Mr. Success,” but her career was cut short due to her diagnosis of bone cancer in 1987.
In conclusion, not much is known about Samantha Lewes’ early life or childhood. However, it is known that she attended community college in Sacramento before transferring to California State University, where she met Tom Hanks. Her early acting career consisted of small roles in TV shows and movies, but it was her performance in “The Executioner’s Song” that put her on the map. Despite her talent and critical acclaim, her acting career was cut short due to her battle with bone cancer.
Samantha Lewes Carrier
Samantha Lewes had a relatively short career as an actress, but she still managed to leave an impact on the entertainment industry. Lewes’ career began in the late 1970s when she appeared in small roles in various TV shows and movies. Her first credited role was in the TV show “Family” in 1979, where she played the character of Carla. She then went on to appear in several other TV shows, including “Bosom Buddies,” where her husband Tom Hanks played the lead role.
In 1983, Lewes appeared in the TV movie “The Fighter,” where she played the role of a nurse. However, it was her performance in the 1985 TV movie “The Executioner’s Song” that put her on the map. In the movie, Lewes played the character of Nicole Baker, the former girlfriend of convicted murderer Gary Gilmore, played by Tommy Lee Jones. Lewes’ performance in this movie was praised by critics, and it earned her critical acclaim. The movie won several awards, including two Golden Globes.
Despite the success of “The Executioner’s Song,” Lewes’ acting career never really took off. She appeared in a few more TV shows and movies, including “Mazes and Monsters” and “Mr. Success,” but her career was cut short due to her diagnosis of bone cancer in 1987.
Samantha Lewes’s Marriage and Personal Life
Samantha Lewes’ marriage to Tom Hanks was a significant part of her personal life. The couple met in college while studying drama, and they began dating soon after. They fell in love quickly and got married in 1978. During their marriage, they moved to New York City to pursue their acting careers.
The couple had two children together, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Hanks. Colin was born in 1977 before they got married, and Elizabeth was born in 1982. Both children followed in their parent’s footsteps and became actors.
Lewes and Hanks’ marriage was not without its challenges. Hanks has said that he struggled with alcoholism during their early years of marriage, and Lewes played an instrumental role in his recovery. In an interview with GQ, Hanks said, “I was a total idiot. I was trying to be Hemingway, drinking and smoking, doing all that stuff. I was not handling myself well. I wasn’t happy. I was working all the time. I didn’t know how to relax.”
Lewes was also a significant influence on Hanks’ career. Hanks has often spoken publicly about how Lewes supported him during the early years of his career when he was struggling to make ends meet. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Hanks said, “I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did without Samantha. She raised our kids, paid the bills, she was an artist in her own right. She was a wonderful, wonderful woman.”
Unfortunately, Lewes’ marriage to Hanks came to an end in 1987, and they divorced after nine years of marriage. The reason for their divorce is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been due to the strains of their busy acting careers and the difficulties of raising two children.
After her divorce from Hanks, Lewes continued to focus on her children and her health. She was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1987, and she fought the disease for several years. Despite undergoing treatment, Lewes passed away on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49.
In conclusion, Samantha Lewes’ marriage to Tom Hanks was a significant part of her personal life. The couple fell in love while studying drama in college, and they went on to have two children together. Although their marriage had its challenges, Lewes played an essential role in Hanks’ recovery from alcoholism and supported him during the early years of his career. Although their marriage ended in divorce, Hanks has always spoken highly of Lewes and her influence on his life and career. Lewes’ battle with bone cancer was a difficult time for her, but she continued to focus on her children and her health until her passing in 2002.
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks divorce, why did their marriage fail
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks’ marriage came to an end in 1987 after nine years. The reason for their divorce has not been fully disclosed, but there are several theories about why their marriage failed.
One of the most commonly cited reasons for their divorce was the strain of their busy acting careers. Hanks had started to become increasingly successful as an actor, and his career was taking off, which meant that he was away from home a lot. Lewes, on the other hand, had taken a step back from acting to focus on raising their two children, Colin and Elizabeth. This led to a growing sense of distance between the couple, which eventually led to their separation.
Another factor that may have contributed to their divorce was Hanks’ growing interest in another actress, Rita Wilson. Hanks and Wilson had met on the set of the movie “Volunteers” in 1985, and they had become friends. It is believed that their friendship started to develop into something more during the filming of the movie “The Money Pit,” which was released in 1986, around the same time that Hanks and Lewes’ marriage was beginning to fall apart.
Despite these theories, Hanks has never spoken publicly about the reasons for his divorce from Lewes. In fact, he has always been very respectful of Lewes and has spoken openly about the impact that she had on his life and career. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Hanks said, “I wouldn’t have been who I am today without that experience. I would have had a different path, but she gave me a life.”
It is clear that Hanks and Lewes’ divorce was a difficult time for both of them, and it had a significant impact on their family. In an interview with The New York Times, Colin Hanks spoke about the difficulties of growing up in a broken home. He said, “It’s not something that you want to go through as a kid, but it’s something that you have to navigate.”
In conclusion, the reasons for Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks’ divorce have never been fully disclosed. While there are several theories about why their marriage failed, it is clear that the strain of their busy acting careers and Hanks’ growing interest in Rita Wilson may have played a role. Despite the difficulties of their divorce, Hanks has always spoken highly of Lewes and the impact that she had on his life and career.
Samantha Lewes death
Samantha Lewes passed away on March 12, 2002, at the age of 49, after a battle with bone cancer. Her death was a tragic loss for her family and friends, and it was a difficult time for her ex-husband, Tom Hanks, and their two children, Colin and Elizabeth.
Lewes’ battle with cancer was a private one, and she had chosen to keep her diagnosis and treatment largely to herself and her immediate family. However, it was reported that Lewes had been battling bone cancer for more than a year before she passed away. Her family and friends were devastated by the news of her passing, and they expressed their grief and sadness in the media.
Following Lewes’ death, her ex-husband Tom Hanks spoke publicly about her and her impact on his life. In an interview with The Guardian, Hanks said, “I still miss her. She was a part of my life, and she gave me the greatest gift of our children. She was a wonderful woman and a terrific actress.”
Hanks also spoke about the difficulties of losing someone to cancer, saying, “Cancer is just a horrible thing. It takes so many people, and it’s not just the person who gets sick, it’s the whole family that has to go through it.”
Lewes’ death was a reminder of the devastating impact that cancer can have on individuals and families. It was also a reminder of the importance of cancer research and funding to find a cure for this terrible disease.
In conclusion, Samantha Lewes’ death was a tragic loss for her family and friends. Her battle with bone cancer was a private one, and she had chosen to keep her diagnosis and treatment largely to herself and her immediate family. Her ex-husband, Tom Hanks, and their two children, Colin and Elizabeth, were devastated by her passing, and Hanks spoke publicly about her impact on his life and the difficulties of losing someone to cancer. Lewes’ death was a reminder of the importance of cancer research and funding to find a cure for this terrible disease.
List of All Samantha Lewes movies and Tv Shows
Samantha Lewes, also known as Susan Jane Dillingham, was an American actress who appeared in several movies and TV shows throughout her career. Here is a list of all the Samantha Lewes movies and TV shows that she appeared in:
Movies:
- Mr. Success (1984) – Role: Waitress
- Nothing in Common (1986) – Role: Cheryl Ann Wayne
- The Kindred (1987) – Role: Melissa Leftridge
- Overboard (1987) – Role: Mary
TV Shows:
- Bosom Buddies (1980) – Role: Janet
- The Facts of Life (1981) – Role: Monica
- Simon & Simon (1982) – Role: Sally
- Magnum, P.I. (1982) – Role: Debbie
- Crazy Like a Fox (1984) – Role: Cindy
- Hotel (1984) – Role: Amy
- The Paper Chase (1985) – Role: Molly
- Family Ties (1985) – Role: Leslie
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1986) – Role: Lily
- Growing Pains (1987) – Role: Valerie
Although Samantha Lewes did not have a large body of work, she was remembered for her memorable performances in the few roles she played. Her portrayal of Cheryl Ann Wayne in “Nothing in Common” was particularly well-received
