It’s been more than two decades since Samantha Lewes passed away, yet the story of Tom Hanks’ first wife still stirs curiosity—especially now, after her daughter’s memoir brought long-buried allegations to light. The picture that emerges is more complicated than the quiet divorce and early death most people remember.
Born: November 29, 1952 ·
Died: March 12, 2002 ·
Cause of death: Lung cancer (disputed) ·
Marriage to Tom Hanks: 1978–1987 ·
Children: Colin Hanks, Elizabeth Hanks ·
Spouse (second marriage): Ed Begley Jr. (brief)
Quick snapshot
- Married Tom Hanks 1978–1987, two children (AOL (news outlet))
- Died March 12, 2002, age 49 (The Famous People (biography database))
- Professional name Samantha Lewes, birth name Susan Dillingham (AOL)
- Exact cause of death: lung cancer vs. bone cancer (AOL; IMDb (film database))
- Nature of mental health struggles (HELLO! (celebrity magazine))
- Legal status of marriage to Ed Begley Jr. (AOL)
- June 2025: Daughter Elizabeth Hanks publishes memoir with abuse allegations (AOL)
- 2025: Tom Hanks responds, says he is “not surprised” (AOL)
- Legal confirmation of abuse allegations unlikely (AOL)
- Further memoir details may emerge in interviews (AOL)
The table below collects the key biographical checkpoints—eight facts, one pattern: the official record is clear on dates and names, but the private story remains contested.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Susan Dillingham (professionally Samantha Lewes) |
| Birth date | November 29, 1952 |
| Death date | March 12, 2002 |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer (disputed; some sources say bone cancer) |
| Marriage to Tom Hanks | 1978–1987 |
| Children | Colin Hanks, Elizabeth Ann Hanks |
| Notable works | Bosom Buddies (TV), Mr. Success (film) |
| Spouse (later) | Ed Begley Jr. (brief marriage, exact legal status unclear) |
Why did Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks split?
The couple married in 1978, nine years before their divorce was finalized in 1987 (AOL (news outlet)). No single public reason was ever given, but the timeline coincides with Hanks’ rising career and, according to later accounts, Lewes’ mental health challenges.
What were the reasons for their divorce?
- According to HELLO! (celebrity magazine), Lewes “struggled with mental health issues” and the marriage became strained.
- Elizabeth Hanks’ 2025 memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, alleges that Lewes was emotionally and physically abusive (AOL).
- Tom Hanks later said he was “not surprised” by the allegations, though he did not provide details (AOL).
The implication: the divorce was not a simple “grew apart” story—it involved dynamics that the family is only now addressing publicly.
What happened to Samantha Lewes?
After the divorce, Lewes largely retreated from the public eye. She died on March 12, 2002, at age 49.
How did Samantha Lewes die?
- Multiple sources report the cause as lung cancer (AOL; South China Morning Post (news outlet)).
- But other sources say she died of bone cancer. IMDb (film database) lists bone cancer; The List (lifestyle publication) says she was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2001 that spread to her lungs.
- Tuko (news outlet) reports bone cancer spread to the lungs and brain.
The pattern: the date of death is consistent, but the primary cancer site is still debated among different sources.
Does Tom Hanks’ daughter get along with Rita Wilson?
Elizabeth Hanks has been clear about the relationship with her father’s second wife, Rita Wilson, and the distinction is precise.
Why does Tom Hanks’ daughter not call Rita Wilson her stepmother?
- Elizabeth Hanks has stated publicly that she does not refer to Rita Wilson as her stepmother—Wilson is “my father’s wife” (AOL).
- The relationship is described as not hostile, but distant. Colin Hanks, by contrast, appears on better terms with Wilson.
What this means: the Hanks family has a blended structure where the children maintain a respectful but separate bond with their father’s new partner, shaped by the memory of their mother.
What did Tom Hanks say about Samantha Lewes’ death?
Tom Hanks has spoken sparingly about his first wife’s death. In 2025, following the publication of his daughter’s memoir, he offered a short, revealing comment.
Did Tom Hanks make a public statement about her death?
- Hanks said, “We all … I’m not surprised,” referring to the abuse allegations in Elizabeth’s memoir (AOL).
- He described Lewes as emotionally and physically abusive, per the same source.
- He has not spoken extensively about the circumstances of her death, instead focusing on supporting his daughter’s decision to write the book.
The catch: Hanks’ response validates the memoir’s core claims, but without offering corroborating evidence, the allegations remain a matter of family testimony, not legal fact.
What illness is Tom Hanks suffering from?
Outside the Lewes story, Tom Hanks has his own health challenges, which have been well-documented.
Does Tom Hanks have diabetes?
- Hanks was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes around 2013 (AOL).
- He has spoken publicly about managing the condition through diet and medication.
Why this matters: Hanks’ health has been a recurring topic in the press, and his diabetes diagnosis often comes up in discussions about his long career and family life.
Tom Hanks is widely seen as America’s dad, but his first wife’s story remains a shadow—now illuminated by a daughter who chose to speak, even if the full picture will never be known.
Timeline
- — Samantha Lewes born in San Diego, California.
- — Marries Tom Hanks.
- — Acting role on TV series Bosom Buddies.
- — Film role in Mr. Success.
- — Divorce from Tom Hanks finalized.
- — Dies of cancer at age 49.
- — Daughter Elizabeth Hanks publishes memoir with abuse allegations.
- — Tom Hanks responds, saying he is “not surprised” by the memoir.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- She died March 12, 2002.
- She was married to Tom Hanks from 1978 to 1987.
- She had two children with Hanks: Colin and Elizabeth.
- Her professional name was Samantha Lewes; birth name Susan Dillingham.
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of mental health struggles reported by sources.
- Whether allegations of abuse in memoir are legally confirmed.
- Details of funeral—not widely reported.
- Exact timeline of her relationship with Ed Begley Jr.
Key quotes
“We all … I’m not surprised.”
— Tom Hanks, responding to Elizabeth Hanks’ memoir allegations (AOL (news outlet))
Elizabeth Hanks alleged that her mother was emotionally and physically abusive.
— Summary of Elizabeth Hanks’ memoir, The 10 (AOL)
Lewes was “a troubled woman who struggled with mental health.”
The source material is a mix of family memoir and media coverage. For anyone trying to understand Samantha Lewes, the record is a puzzle: dates are solid, but the human story depends on whose account you trust.
Related reading: Eve Mavrakis: Career, Divorce, and Life After Ewan McGregor
fr.news.yahoo.com, outbackbrief.com, aussiebriefly.net, imdb.com, biographypedia.org
Readers interested in Samantha Lewes’s early biography can find a more comprehensive overview in Samantha Lewess early biography.
Frequently asked questions
What was Samantha Lewes’ cause of death?
She died of cancer on March 12, 2002. Some sources say lung cancer (AOL); others say bone cancer (IMDb).
How did Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks meet?
They met in the late 1970s, before Hanks’ acting career took off, and married in 1978.
Did Samantha Lewes remarry after Tom Hanks?
She was briefly married to actor Ed Begley Jr., though the exact dates and legal status are unclear.
What is Elizabeth Hanks known for?
Elizabeth Hanks (also known as E.A. Hanks) is an author who wrote The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, published in 2025, about her mother and family.
Did Samantha Lewes have any siblings?
Public records do not list siblings; she was raised as an only child in San Diego.
What was Samantha Lewes’ net worth?
No reliable estimate exists; she was not a major Hollywood earner.
Is there a Wikipedia page for Samantha Lewes?
As of 2025, there is no dedicated Wikipedia page, but she is mentioned in Tom Hanks’ biography.
How old was Samantha Lewes when she died?
She was 49 years old.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Current, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.