Tom Hanks signs autographs at the SIngapore premiere of "Larry Crowne"

Tom’s family moved a lot and his parents re-married. He once told a reporter that he had had three mothers, four fathers, five schools and ten houses while growing up. The movie star said he thinks the many changes helped him develop a sense of independence.

Tom Hanks started acting in high school. He took drama classes in college but left before completing his studies. He has said he could not get parts in college plays so he left to follow his professional dream. He moved to New York City.

His first major parts were on television. He won a lead role in the situation comedy “Bosom Buddies” in nineteen-seventy-nine. But he became a star with the movie “Splash” in nineteen eighty-four. More success came four years later with his starring part in the hit movie “Big.” He played a thirteen year old boy who wakes up one day in grown man’s body.

Tom Hanks mainly worked in comedies in the early years of his career. His starring part in the nineteen ninety-three movie “Philadelphia” changed his image. He played a lawyer who launches a case against his law office after it dismisses him because he has AIDS. The star was honored with his first Best Actor Oscar for his work in “Philadelphia.” His second came the following year for his work in the movie, “Forrest Gump.”

Tom Hanks has a lot of interests that he has brought to film and television. His interest in the experiences of World War Two soldiers led him to his involvement in the series “Band of Brothers” for the cable television station HBO. He was also named an honorary member of the United States Army Rangers as a result. He also produced the thirteen-part series, “From the Earth to the Moon” because of his support for human space travel. The actor is a member of the National Space Society.