Hollywood titan Tom Hanks is one of the world’s most recognizable faces, yet the lives of his siblings often remain in the shadows. For an actor so globally beloved, the family behind the “everyman” star is surprisingly diverse and accomplished in their own right. From a voice-acting double to an award-winning entomologist, the Hanks family tree is full of compelling careers.
The Hanks Clan: A Look at the Core Three
Tom Hanks has three siblings: an older sister, Sandra Hanks Benoiton, and two brothers, Larry Hanks and Jim Hanks. Their childhood was marked by frequent moves across Northern California, particularly after their parents, Amos and Janet, divorced when Tom was just five. The three eldest—Sandra, Larry, and Tom—lived with their father, while the youngest, Jim, remained with their mother. This early separation and subsequent self-reliance likely shaped the varied paths each sibling ultimately forged.
Jim Hanks: More Than Just a Body Double
You might have seen Jim Hanks without even knowing it! The youngest brother is also an actor and filmmaker, but he’s perhaps most famous for being Tom’s body double in the iconic running scenes of Forrest Gump.
The Voice of Woody
Jim’s resemblance to his older brother extends to his voice. He has famously provided the voice of Sheriff Woody for a plethora of Toy Story merchandise, including video games and toys, essentially stepping into the role for non-movie productions.
His Own Spotlight
Early in his career, Jim even performed stand-up comedy, often referencing the shared family resemblance with humorous self-depreciation. He has also actively sought roles on his own merit; for a time, he even auditioned under the pseudonym “Jim Matthews” to ensure his success was based on talent, not his famous last name.
Larry Hanks: The Professor of Creepy-Crawlies
Breaking completely from the entertainment industry is Larry Hanks, Tom’s older brother, who insists on being addressed professionally as Professor Lawrence. His passion lies in the world of insects!
Entomology Expert: Larry is an esteemed entomology professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has been sharing his deep knowledge of insect ecology, behavior, and invasive species with students since 1996.
Sibling Banter: Tom once humorously revealed on a late-night show that his brother is a highly respected academic in his field, noting that Larry’s professional success in science often eclipses his own fame among the entomology community.
Sandra Hanks Benoiton: The Writer
The eldest of the Hanks children, Sandra Hanks Benoiton, has built a career centered on the written word.
A Life of Prose: Sandra is an established writer who has worked for various companies and now maintains a blog, Paradise Preoccupied, where she shares her insights on a broad range of topics, including politics and adoption.
A Source of Updates: She has occasionally been a source of familial insight. Notably, in 2020, she offered the public a candid update on Tom and his wife Rita Wilson’s health when they contracted COVID-19, reminding everyone with a dash of sibling realism, “He’s an actor, not a god.”
Staying Connected: A Famous Family’s Latest Ties
While the three Hanks siblings have dramatically different vocations, they maintain a connection. Despite Tom’s meteoric rise, his siblings have previously attested that success hasn’t fundamentally altered their brother’s down-to-earth personality.
Interestingly, the Hanks family circle recently expanded into a new reality TV connection. Lily Reeves, Tom Hanks’ sister-in-law (and Rita Wilson’s sister), made headlines with her appearance on The Golden Bachelor. She openly discussed her bond with Tom and Rita, highlighting their humble nature despite their stardom and recounting the early days of their relationship, further weaving the complex and fascinating tapestry of the Hanks extended family.
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CONCLUSION
The varied lives of Tom Hanks’ siblings demonstrate that distinction runs deep in their family. Jim Hanks carries the cinematic torch (and was his brother’s running double!), Larry Hanks dissects the mysteries of the insect world as a respected professor, and Sandra Hanks Benoiton offers thoughtful prose as a writer. Despite the blinding Hollywood spotlight on the A-lister, the Hanks clan is grounded, talented, and accomplished, proving there’s a compelling world of achievement even in the shadow of a global icon.
