Tom Hanks

A map of his family tree showing the purported connection can be found in the External links section. Very proficient in money matters, Jannings was one of the highest paid actors of his time. Hanks claims to be a relative of James Hanks, one of several possible fathers of Nancy Hanks, mother of United States president Abraham Lincoln. Because of his involvement in Nazi propaganda, Jannings was prohibited to work after the war, and retired to his farm in Austria. He was the youngest ever recipient of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award on June 12, 2002. Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels named him "Artist of the State" in 1941. Hanks also won back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor for his roles in Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994). He made several pro-Nazi films, ending any chance he may have had for a comeback in the United States.

That union also produced two children (one of whom is actor/son Colin Hanks). He returned to Europe, where he starred opposite Marlene Dietrich in the classic The Blue Angel, filmed in English simultaneously with its German version Der Blaue Engel. Hanks was married previously to Samantha Lewes from 1978 to 1987. Born Theodor Friedrich Emil Janenz in Rorschach, Switzerland, of a German mother and an American father, Jannings, as a theater actor, had a promising Hollywood career come to an end when talkies made his thick German accent difficult to understand. They have two children together. He won the 1927/1928 Oscar for two films -- The Way of All Flesh and The Last Command. They met while working on the movie Volunteers (1985). Emil Jannings (July 23, 1884 - January 3, 1950) was the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor.

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).