Colin Hanks: Biography, Age, Career, Movies, TV Shows, Family and Net Worth

Colin Hanks is an American actor, director, and producer who has built a career across television, film, theater, and documentary filmmaking. Born into one of Hollywood’s best-known families, he is the eldest son of actor Tom Hanks and actress Samantha Lewes, but his career has developed through a wide range of roles that go well beyond his family background. From Roswell and Orange County to Fargo, Dexter, Life in Pieces, and the Jumanji franchise, he has taken on both dramatic and comedic characters. In recent years, Colin Hanks has also expanded his work behind the camera, directing and producing documentaries while continuing to appear in film and television projects. His work in Silo and other recent productions has added another chapter to a career that has continued to evolve over several decades.

Colin Hanks Biography and Early Life

Colin Lewes Hanks was born on November 24, 1977, in Sacramento, California. He was born Colin Lewes Dillingham and later became professionally known as Colin Hanks. His father is Tom Hanks, while his mother was actress Samantha Lewes, who was married to Tom Hanks from 1978 until their divorce in 1987. Growing up around the entertainment industry gave him an early connection to filmmaking, but his eventual career developed through his own work in acting, directing, and producing.

Colin Hanks grew up with a family connection to Hollywood that naturally attracted public attention. His younger sister is Elizabeth Hanks, while his half-brothers through Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are Chet Hanks and Truman Hanks. He also has connections to the Hanks family through his uncle Jim Hanks, who has worked as an actor and filmmaker. Although his family background has always been part of his public story, Colin has spent much of his career establishing an identity separate from his famous father.

Colin Hanks Age and Birthday

Colin Hanks was born on November 24, 1977, which makes him 48 years old as of October 2026. He will celebrate his 49th birthday on November 24, 2026. His age is interesting in the context of his career because he began working professionally at a relatively young age and has now spent decades in the entertainment industry. During that time, he has moved between television, movies, theater, documentary filmmaking, and production.

His long career has also allowed audiences to see different stages of his professional development. Early roles such as Roswell introduced him to television viewers, while later performances in Fargo and Dexter demonstrated his ability to handle darker and more demanding material. His work in Life in Pieces showed another side of his range through comedy. More recent projects have continued to expand his profile rather than keeping him associated only with the roles that made him recognizable in the early part of his career.

Colin Hanks Family Background

Colin Hanks comes from a family with a strong connection to acting and filmmaking. His father, Tom Hanks, became one of Hollywood’s most successful actors through films such as Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, and Toy Story. His mother, Samantha Lewes, also worked as an actress before stepping away from the entertainment spotlight. This family background meant that Colin was familiar with the filmmaking world from an early age.

His relationship with his father has received considerable public interest over the years, particularly because both have worked in the entertainment industry. However, Colin has developed a career with its own collection of credits and achievements. He has worked as an actor in television and film, while also directing documentaries and producing nonfiction projects. This combination has allowed him to create a professional identity that is not limited to being known as Tom Hanks’ son.

Colin Hanks Education

Colin Hanks attended Sacramento Country Day School before continuing his education at Chapman University and later Loyola Marymount University. He eventually left college before completing a degree as he pursued opportunities in the entertainment industry. His decision to move toward professional acting came during a period when he was already gaining experience around film and television productions.

Education was only one part of Colin Hanks’ development as a filmmaker. His early exposure to production environments gave him an understanding of how movies were made beyond the work performed in front of the camera. Over time, his interest in filmmaking expanded into directing and producing documentaries. That later work suggests that his professional interests have never been limited to acting alone.

How Colin Hanks Started His Acting Career

Colin Hanks began developing his connection with filmmaking before becoming a widely recognized actor. He worked as a production assistant on Apollo 13, the 1995 space drama directed by Ron Howard and starring his father, Tom Hanks. He also appeared in That Thing You Do!, the 1996 film directed by Tom Hanks. These early experiences gave Colin an opportunity to see both the acting and production sides of the movie business.

His professional acting career became more established during the late 1990s. Television provided some of his earliest significant opportunities, allowing him to develop experience in recurring and ensemble roles. Rather than immediately relying on major movie roles, Colin built his career gradually through television appearances and smaller film projects. That path eventually led to Roswell, which became one of his best-known early television roles.

Colin Hanks in Roswell

One of the most important early roles in Colin Hanks’ career came with the science-fiction television series Roswell. He played Alex Whitman, a character who became an important part of the show’s story. The series ran from 1999 to 2002, with Colin appearing during its early seasons. His work on Roswell helped introduce him to a broader television audience and gave him an early role that remained associated with his career.

Roswell was significant because it allowed Colin to establish himself as a young television actor rather than simply appearing in projects connected to his father. The series developed a dedicated audience and gave him experience working within a continuing dramatic storyline. After leaving the show, he continued taking roles in both television and movies. This period marked the beginning of a career that would later include comedy, crime drama, historical projects, and major film franchises.

Colin Hanks Movies

Colin Hanks has appeared in a wide variety of movies throughout his career. His film work has included comedies, dramas, action projects, large franchise productions, and historical stories. Some of his notable movie credits include Orange County, King Kong, The Great Buck Howard, The House Bunny, Untraceable, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, Nuremberg, and Nobody 2.

Some notable Colin Hanks movie credits include:

• Orange County
• King Kong
• The Great Buck Howard
• The House Bunny
• Untraceable
• The Great Buck Howard
• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
• Jumanji: The Next Level
• Nuremberg
• Nobody 2
• Lucky Strike

His movie career demonstrates how he has moved between different types of productions instead of focusing on one particular genre. Orange County showcased his ability to lead a comedy, while King Kong placed him within a major international production. His Jumanji appearances connected him with a successful modern franchise, while projects such as Nuremberg offered opportunities in more serious historical drama.

Colin Hanks in Orange County

Orange County was one of Colin Hanks’ early opportunities to lead a feature film. Released in 2002, the comedy followed his character Shaun Brumder, a teenager who dreams of attending Stanford University and wants to escape the limitations of his hometown. The film also featured Jack Black, John Lithgow, Catherine O’Hara, and other established performers. Colin’s central role gave him valuable experience as the main actor in a studio comedy.

The movie remains an important part of his early filmography because it arrived shortly after his work in Roswell. It helped establish that he could move from television into feature films without being restricted to one medium. His performance also placed him alongside experienced comedy actors, giving him another opportunity to develop his screen presence. Orange County therefore represents an important step in his transition from young television actor to established film performer.

Colin Hanks in King Kong

Colin Hanks appeared as Preston in Peter Jackson’s King Kong, released in 2005. The film was a large-scale remake of the classic monster story and featured a major international cast. Working on a production of that size gave Colin exposure to a very different type of filmmaking compared with his earlier television and comedy projects.

King Kong also helped expand the international side of Colin’s movie career. While he was not the central character, being part of such a large production added an important title to his filmography. The movie remains one of the more recognizable major studio projects in which he has appeared. It also helped demonstrate that his career could move comfortably between smaller character roles and large-scale productions.

Colin Hanks in Dexter

One of Colin Hanks’ more dramatic television performances came in Dexter. He played Travis Marshall during the sixth season of the crime drama, taking on a character very different from some of his earlier comedic and family-oriented roles. The storyline gave him an opportunity to explore darker material and a psychologically complicated character.

His performance in Dexter became one of the more notable dramatic roles of his television career. The role was also useful in demonstrating that Colin could move beyond the lighter image associated with some of his earlier work. His later performance in Fargo continued this progression into serious television drama. Together, these roles helped establish him as a versatile television performer.

Colin Hanks in Fargo

Fargo became one of the most important television projects in Colin Hanks’ career. He played Deputy Gus Grimly in the first season of the FX anthology series, appearing opposite performers including Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton. Gus was a police officer dealing with an increasingly dangerous situation, giving Colin a grounded and dramatic character to play.

The role brought significant recognition, including an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. Fargo demonstrated that Colin could deliver a serious performance within a critically recognized television production. It also helped shift the public conversation around his career toward his own acting abilities. For anyone researching Colin Hanks movies and TV shows, Fargo is an essential part of his career story.

Colin Hanks in Life in Pieces

After taking several dramatic roles, Colin Hanks returned to comedy with Life in Pieces. He played Greg Short in the CBS sitcom, which followed the lives and relationships of members of a large family. The series ran for four seasons from 2015 to 2019 and gave Colin one of his longest-running television roles.

Life in Pieces allowed him to demonstrate a different style of performance from his work in Fargo and Dexter. His character was part of a family comedy built around everyday situations, relationships, parenting, and personal challenges. The series also gave him the opportunity to work within an ensemble cast over several years. It remains an important part of his television career because of the consistency and visibility the role provided.

Colin Hanks and the Jumanji Movies

Colin Hanks became part of the modern Jumanji franchise when he played Alex Vreeke. He appeared in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and returned for Jumanji: The Next Level. The films introduced a new generation to the Jumanji concept while becoming major commercial successes.

His role was connected to the story’s transformation of Alex and provided an important link between the character’s earlier life and the events of the modern films. Appearing in both movies also gave Colin a connection to a major franchise with a large international audience. For readers searching for Colin Hanks movies, the Jumanji films are among the most recognizable entries in his filmography.

Colin Hanks in The Offer and A Friend of the Family

Colin continued his television career with projects such as The Offer and A Friend of the Family. The Offer explored the behind-the-scenes story surrounding the creation of The Godfather, giving Colin the role of Barry Lapidus. A Friend of the Family was a darker limited series based on a real-life case and featured Colin as Bob Broberg.

These projects continued the pattern of Colin moving between very different types of television stories. The Offer had a strong connection to Hollywood history, while A Friend of the Family focused on a disturbing real-world story. Both projects added variety to his later television career. They also demonstrated that he continued to seek substantial roles rather than depending only on familiar comedy formats.

Colin Hanks in Nuremberg and Nobody 2

Colin Hanks continued appearing in feature films during the 2020s. He was part of the cast of Nuremberg, a historical drama centered on the aftermath of World War II and the Nuremberg trials. The project gave him another opportunity to participate in a serious historical production.

He also appeared in Nobody 2, adding an action-oriented project to his more recent film work. These roles demonstrate the continued variety of his filmography. Instead of remaining associated with only one genre, Colin has continued moving between drama, comedy, action, historical stories, and franchise entertainment.

Colin Hanks in Silo

One of the most important recent television developments for Colin Hanks is his appearance in Silo. The Apple TV+ science-fiction drama expanded its cast for its third season, with Colin joining the story as Per Stenson. The third season premiered in July 2026 and continued the show’s larger mystery surrounding the underground world in which its characters live.

His role in Silo gives Colin another opportunity to work within a serious science-fiction drama. The series has developed a large international audience, making his involvement particularly useful for people searching for Colin Hanks’ latest television work. The show has also been renewed for a fourth and final season, giving the series an important place in his current career. For an updated biography, Silo should be included rather than stopping the story with his earlier roles.

Colin Hanks in Lucky Strike

Lucky Strike is another recent project connected with Colin Hanks. The 2026 film is a World War II action drama featuring Scott Eastwood and other cast members. Colin’s involvement adds another current movie credit to a filmography that has increasingly included dramatic and historical projects.

The movie is useful to mention in a current Colin Hanks biography because readers often want to know what an actor is doing now rather than only learning about older roles. His recent projects show that he remains active in both movies and television. They also demonstrate how his career has continued developing more than two decades after his first major television appearances.

Colin Hanks as a Director

Acting is only one part of Colin Hanks’ professional career. He has also established himself as a documentary director, showing an interest in stories about music, entertainment, and cultural history. His directing credits include All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records and Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis.

These documentaries demonstrate a different side of his creative interests. Instead of performing as a fictional character, Colin has worked behind the camera to document real people and events. This experience also connects with his work as a producer. His move into directing is important because it shows that his career has developed beyond the traditional path of an actor.

John Candy: I Like Me

One of Colin Hanks’ most notable directing projects is John Candy: I Like Me. The documentary focuses on the life, career, and legacy of beloved Canadian comedian and actor John Candy. The film uses interviews, archival material, and stories from people who knew or worked with Candy to explore his career and personality.

The documentary also represents an important stage in Colin’s development as a filmmaker. It allowed him to explore the life of another entertainer while working behind the camera rather than appearing as an actor. The project received significant attention and added to his documentary filmmaking credentials. It also showed that Colin’s interests extend beyond acting into preserving and exploring entertainment history.

Colin Hanks as a Producer

Colin Hanks has also worked as a producer on documentary and nonfiction projects. His producing credits include projects such as Say Hey, Willie Mays! and Thriller 40, in addition to John Candy: I Like Me. Producing has given him another way to participate in filmmaking while allowing him to work with subjects and stories that interest him.

His production work is important when looking at the complete Colin Hanks career. An article that focuses only on acting would leave out a major part of his professional development. His work behind the camera demonstrates an understanding of filmmaking that goes beyond performing. It also gives him greater creative involvement in the projects with which he is associated.

Colin Hanks on Broadway

Colin Hanks has also worked in theater. He appeared in the Broadway production of 33 Variations, playing Mike Clark in the production. His theater work added another form of performance to a career that had already included television and film.

Broadway experience can be demanding because actors must perform consistently in front of a live audience. Unlike television and movies, theater does not offer the same opportunity to repeat a scene until the desired take is achieved. Colin’s involvement in Broadway therefore adds another useful detail to his professional biography. It also reinforces the fact that his career has covered several areas of the entertainment business.

Colin Hanks Wife and Children

Colin Hanks married Samantha Bryant on May 8, 2010. The couple have two daughters, Olivia Jane Hanks and Charlotte Bryant Hanks. Colin has generally maintained a more private approach to his family life compared with some aspects of his professional career.

His role as a husband and father has occasionally appeared in interviews and entertainment coverage, but his children are not the central focus of his public career. For a biography, it is best to keep this section factual and respectful. His family life can be included as part of his background without turning the article into speculation about his private affairs.

Colin Hanks and Tom Hanks

The relationship between Colin Hanks and Tom Hanks is one of the most searched aspects of Colin’s biography. Colin is Tom Hanks’ eldest son, and their careers have occasionally crossed in interesting ways. Colin was connected to Apollo 13 at a young age and later appeared in projects associated with his father’s filmmaking career.

The two also appeared together professionally in The Great Buck Howard, where Tom Hanks played the father of Colin’s character. Their professional relationship is interesting because Colin has spent much of his career developing his own identity within the entertainment industry. While the Hanks name undoubtedly brought early attention, his long list of acting, directing, and producing credits demonstrates that his career has developed well beyond his family connection.

Colin Hanks Siblings

Colin Hanks has a number of well-known family connections through his father. His younger sister is Elizabeth Hanks, while his half-brothers are Chet Hanks and Truman Hanks. Chet has worked as an actor and musician, while Truman has developed interests in filmmaking and camera work in addition to acting.

His family has therefore remained connected to entertainment in several different ways. However, each sibling has followed a different path and developed individual interests. Colin’s career is particularly notable for its combination of acting, documentary directing, and producing. This makes the Hanks family a useful background detail while still leaving Colin’s own achievements at the center of the story.

Colin Hanks Net Worth and Sources of Income

There are numerous websites that publish estimated figures for Colin Hanks’ net worth, but there is no reliable public financial statement that confirms an exact current amount. Because of that, a specific figure should be treated as an estimate rather than a verified fact. His long career across movies and television has provided several professional sources of income.

His potential income sources include:

• Film and television acting
• Documentary directing
• Documentary producing
• Theater performances
• Production work
• Other entertainment-related projects

Colin’s financial position has likely been influenced by the length and variety of his career, but it is better to discuss his professional income sources than present an unsupported number. This approach also gives readers a clearer understanding of how an established actor and filmmaker can build earnings over several decades. His continued work in television, film, directing, and producing provides multiple areas of professional activity.

Colin Hanks Movies and TV Shows

Colin Hanks’ filmography includes a broad range of projects spanning more than two decades. His work includes television dramas, sitcoms, comedies, action movies, science-fiction projects, documentaries, and major franchise films. Some of his most recognizable acting credits are connected to Roswell, Fargo, Dexter, Life in Pieces, Jumanji, The Offer, A Friend of the Family, Nuremberg, Nobody 2, and Silo.

Some notable Colin Hanks movies and TV shows include:

• Roswell
• Orange County
• King Kong
• The Good Guys
• Dexter
• Fargo
• Life in Pieces
• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
• Jumanji: The Next Level
• The Offer
• A Friend of the Family
• Nuremberg
• Nobody 2
• Silo
• Lucky Strike
• John Candy: I Like Me
• All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records
• Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis

The list shows how much Colin’s career has changed over time. He began with young television and movie roles before taking on dramatic characters, comedy roles, major franchises, and documentary projects. His current work also shows that he has remained active rather than relying solely on his best-known older credits. That continued activity makes Colin Hanks an interesting subject for a biography in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colin Hanks

1. Who is Colin Hanks?

Colin Hanks is an American actor, director, and producer known for his work in movies and television. He is the eldest son of actor Tom Hanks and actress Samantha Lewes. His notable projects include Roswell, Fargo, Dexter, Life in Pieces, the Jumanji films, and Silo. He has also directed and produced several documentaries.

2. How old is Colin Hanks?

Colin Hanks was born on November 24, 1977, in Sacramento, California. He is 48 years old as of October 2026 and will turn 49 in November 2026. His career has lasted for more than two decades and includes work in television, film, theater, directing, and producing.

3. Is Colin Hanks Tom Hanks’ son?

Yes, Colin Hanks is the eldest son of Tom Hanks and actress Samantha Lewes. He has a younger sister named Elizabeth Hanks and half-brothers Chet Hanks and Truman Hanks through Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Although his family is famous, Colin has established his own career as an actor, director, and producer.

4. What movies and TV shows is Colin Hanks known for?

Colin Hanks is known for projects including Roswell, Orange County, King Kong, Dexter, Fargo, Life in Pieces, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, The Offer, A Friend of the Family, Nuremberg, and Silo. His role as Gus Grimly in Fargo is among his most recognized dramatic performances. His recent work has continued to include both film and television projects.

5. Is Colin Hanks in Silo?

Yes, Colin Hanks appears in the third season of Silo as Per Stenson. The third season premiered in July 2026 and expanded the show’s cast with several new characters. His appearance in the series is one of the more recent additions to his television career and gives him another major science-fiction drama role.

Conclusion

Colin Hanks has built a diverse entertainment career that reaches far beyond his connection to Tom Hanks. From his early television work in Roswell to performances in Fargo, Dexter, Life in Pieces, and the Jumanji franchise, he has demonstrated an ability to move between different genres and types of characters. His career has also expanded behind the camera through documentary directing and producing, including the acclaimed project John Candy: I Like Me.

In 2026, Colin Hanks remains active with projects such as Silo and Lucky Strike while continuing to develop his work across the entertainment industry. His story is therefore not simply about being the son of a Hollywood legend, but about building a professional identity through acting, filmmaking, theater, and documentary production. With decades of experience and a career that continues to evolve, Colin Hanks remains an interesting figure for audiences who want to understand both his family background and his individual achievements.