Michael Gambon

He has also recently appeared on the BBC's Top Gear programme in which he launched a Suzuki Liana airborne off the final corner. The final corner has now been named 'Gambon' after this feat. A map of his family tree showing the purported connection can be found in the External links section. He was last seen as the successor of Richard Harris playing Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). Hanks claims to be a relative of James Hanks, one of several possible fathers of Nancy Hanks, mother of United States president Abraham Lincoln. In recent years, films such as Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) and Plunkett and Macleane (1989), as well as television appearances in series such as Wives and Daughters (1999) (for which he won another BAFTA), a made for TV adaption of Beckett's Endgame (2001) and Perfect Strangers (2001), have made him one of Britain's most sought-after actors, as well as revealing his talent for comedy. He was the youngest ever recipient of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award on June 12, 2002. Even after this success, for which he won a BAFTA award, his career was patchy, with big hits such as the 1989 film, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover interspersed with less notable work. Hanks also won back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor for his roles in Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994).

However, his craggy looks soon made him into a character actor, and it was not until Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective (1986) that he became a household name. That union also produced two children (one of whom is actor/son Colin Hanks). In his youth, Gambon played romantic leads, notably in the early 1970s BBC television series, The Borderers, in which he was swashbuckling Gavin Ker. Hanks was married previously to Samantha Lewes from 1978 to 1987. Sir Michael Gambon (born October 19, 1940) is one of Britain's foremost actors, knighted for his services to the theatre - despite having been born in Dublin, Ireland. They have two children together. They met while working on the movie Volunteers (1985).

Hanks has been married to actress Rita Wilson since 1988. Hanks is a member of the National Space Society and was the producer of the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon about the Apollo program to send astronauts to the moon. He was invited by the director of that play to go to Cleveland, and it was there his acting career started. He couldn't get cast in a college play so he auditioned for community theater instead.

Born in Concord, California, Hanks later studied theatre at California State University, Sacramento. His portrayal of the likeable lead in Forrest Gump earned him $70 million. His salary for two recent movies was USD$20 million each. Hanks is currently one of the most sought-after leading men in Hollywood.

Hanks is generally known for his ability to imbue "nice-guy" roles with warmth, for example in the romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle, but is quite capable of taking the role of a mob hitman in Road to Perdition. He is well known for his acting ability, and is able to play characters that range from the vulnerable Forrest Gump, to the inspirational lead in Philadelphia, to the never-say-die commander in Apollo 13. Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor famous for playing notable roles in many popular and critically acclaimed movies. He Knows You're Alone (1980).

Bosom Buddies (1980) TV Series. Mazes and Monsters (1982) TV Movie. Splash (1984). Bachelor Party (1984).

The Man with One Red Shoe (1985). Volunteers (1985). The Money Pit (1986). Nothing in Common (1986).

Every Time We Say Goodbye (1986). Dragnet (1987). Big (1988). Punchline (1988).

The 'burbs (1989). Turner & Hooch (1989). Joe Versus the Volcano (1990). The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990).

Radio Flyer (1992). A League of Their Own (1992). Sleepless in Seattle (1993). Philadelphia (1993).

Forrest Gump (1994). Apollo 13 (1995). Toy Story (1995) (voice). That Thing You Do! (1996).

From the Earth to the Moon (1998) TV miniseries. Saving Private Ryan (1998). You've Got Mail (1998). Toy Story 2 (1999) (voice).

The Green Mile (1999). Cast Away (2000). Band of Brothers (2001) TV miniseries. Road to Perdition (2002).

Catch Me If You Can (2002). The Ladykillers (2004). The Terminal (2004). The Polar Express (2004) (voice).