What is Tom Hanks' Net Worth and Salary?
Tom Hanks is an American actor, director, writer, and producer who has a net worth of $400 million. Tom Hanks is by far one of the most famous, highest-regarded, and best-paid actors in Hollywood. As of this writing, his world total box office gross is approximately $9.96 billion. He is also the number-one, most consistent box office money-making star in the world. Hanks has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including seven Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
Tom Hanks has had a remarkable career spanning over four decades. He began his acting journey in the late 1970s with minor roles in television shows and movies. Hanks gained widespread recognition for his comedic roles in the 1980s, including his breakout performance in the romantic comedy "Splash" (1984) and his portrayal of a man-child in "Big" (1988), which earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
In the 1990s, Hanks demonstrated his versatility as an actor by taking on more dramatic roles. He won consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor for his performances in "Philadelphia" (1993), where he played a lawyer battling AIDS discrimination, and "Forrest Gump" (1994), in which he portrayed a simple yet endearing man who unwittingly becomes a part of significant historical events. Hanks continued to deliver powerful performances in films such as "Apollo 13" (1995), "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), and "Cast Away" (2000), cementing his status as one of the most talented actors of his generation.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Hanks maintained his prominence in the film industry, starring in critically acclaimed movies like "Road to Perdition" (2002), "Captain Phillips" (2013), and "Bridge of Spies" (2015). He also ventured into producing and directing, with notable works including the miniseries "Band of Brothers" (2001) and "The Pacific" (2010), as well as the feature film "Larry Crowne" (2011).
Early Life
Tom Hanks was born and raised near San Francisco. He studied drama in community college and at California State University at Sacramento until he was encouraged to join the Great Lakes Theater Festival, an internship that stretched into a three-year commitment. In 1980, he moved to New York City and landed the co-starring role in the cross-dressing sitcom Bosom Buddies, which lasted two seasons. He quickly followed up with a series of minor film roles.
Early Career
Tom Hanks began his acting career in the late 1970s, appearing in various stage productions and minor television roles. His early work included guest appearances on popular shows such as "Happy Days" and "Family Ties." Hanks gained attention for his comedic talents in the television sitcom "Bosom Buddies" (1980-1982), where he played one of two young men who disguise themselves as women to live in an affordable all-female apartment complex. His breakout role in film came with the romantic comedy "Splash" (1984), where he starred opposite Daryl Hannah as a man who falls in love with a mermaid. Throughout the 1980s, Hanks continued to establish himself as a leading man in Hollywood, appearing in successful comedies like "Bachelor Party" (1984), "The Money Pit" (1986), and "Big" (1988), the latter of which earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, setting the stage for his future dramatic roles.
Rise to Stardom
After his breakthrough performance in "Big" (1988), which earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, Tom Hanks continued to showcase his acting range and versatility in a series of successful films. In the early 1990s, he took on more dramatic roles, such as the romantic comedy-drama "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993) alongside Meg Ryan and the legal drama "Philadelphia" (1993), in which he played a lawyer battling AIDS discrimination. Hanks' powerful and emotional performance in "Philadelphia" earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
Hanks' career reached new heights with his iconic portrayal of the title character in "Forrest Gump" (1994), a role that showcased his ability to bring depth and humanity to a simple yet endearing character. The film was a massive critical and commercial success, and Hanks won his second consecutive Academy Award for Best Actor, solidifying his status as one of the most talented and respected actors in the industry.
Throughout the remainder of the 1990s and into the 2000s, Hanks continued to deliver outstanding performances in a wide range of films. He starred in the acclaimed historical drama "Apollo 13" (1995), the war epic "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), and the survival drama "Cast Away" (2000), for which he received another Best Actor Academy Award nomination. Hanks also ventured into voice acting, lending his voice to the character of Woody in the beloved animated "Toy Story" franchise (1995-2019).
In the 2000s and 2010s, Hanks maintained his status as a Hollywood superstar, appearing in critically acclaimed films such as "Road to Perdition" (2002), "Captain Phillips" (2013), "Bridge of Spies" (2015), and "The Post" (2017). He also expanded his creative horizons by producing and directing, with notable works including the miniseries "Band of Brothers" (2001) and "The Pacific" (2010), as well as the feature film "Larry Crowne" (2011).
Throughout his career, Tom Hanks has received numerous accolades for his outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry. In addition to his two Academy Awards, he has won four Golden Globe Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
Producing/Writing
As a writer, Hanks penned the screenplays for the films "That Thing You Do!" (1996), which he also directed, and "Larry Crowne" (2011), in which he starred alongside Julia Roberts. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the World War II drama "Greyhound" (2020), where he played the lead role.
Hanks has produced numerous films and television series, often through his production company, Playtone, which he co-founded with Gary Goetzman. Some of his notable producing credits include the critically acclaimed miniseries "Band of Brothers" (2001), "The Pacific" (2010), and "Masters of the Air" (2024), all three of which explored different aspects of World War II. He also produced the films "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002), "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007), and "Mamma Mia!" (2008), among others.
Tom Hanks /Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Salary Highlights
Between 1988 and 2010 alone, Tom earned around $300 million in movie salaries. That's the same as $450 million after adjusting for inflation. He then earned at least another $100 million in the next decade. In total, Tom has earned a minimum of $400 million in movie salaries during his career without adjusting for inflation. That does not count producing and directing payments or residuals.
One of Tom's first big paychecks came with the 1984 movie "Splash," for which he earned $70,000. That's the same as around $172,000 after adjusting for inflation. Four years later, in 1988, Tom earned $1.75 million to star in "Big." That's the same as around $4 million today. Also in 1998, he earned $5 million for "Punchline". That's the same as $11 million today. From the late 80s onward, Tom's salary stayed in the stratosphere.
Tom earned $40 million for "Saving Private Ryan" and then $20 million for each of "You've Got Mail," "Cast Away" and "The Green Mile." It's been reported that Hanks earned $8 million for playing Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in 2022's "Elvis."
Da Vinci Code Salaries
Tom earned $18 million to star in 2006's "The Da Vinci Code." He then earned $25 million to star in its 2009 sequel, "Angel's & Demons," and another $25 million to star in the 2016 final in the trilogy, "Inferno." In total, Tom Hanks earned $68 million for his work as Robert Langdon.
Forrest Gump Payday
In 1993, Tom was originally supposed to earn $7 million to star in "Forrest Gump." At some point during production the movie had gone significantly over budget. Instead of seeing the movie derailed, Tom offered to give up his salary in exchange for "first dollar" backend points. In that situation, he received a share of the box office receipts owed to Paramount after the theater owners took their cut before the studio started subtracting expenses like marketing and printing costs.
As you now know, Forrest Gump went on to be an enormous box office hit, earning $700 million at the box office and another $100-200 million over time from licensing deals, VHS and DVD sales.
Thanks to his first-dollar deal, Tom made out extremely well. In the first year alone, his backend points translated to around $70 million, which is the same as around $120 million today. It is still by far his biggest acting paycheck and one of the largest acting paychecks in Hollywood history.
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Real Estate Assets
In total, The Hanks/Wilson real estate asset portfolio is worth at least $150 million. In April of 1991, Tom and Rita bought a large oceanfront mansion in the uber-exclusive Malibu Colony for $2.95 million. The seller was director John Frankenheimer. Today, this house is likely worth $20 million, if not more. In January 2010, Tom and Rita spent $26 million to acquire what would become their primary residence in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
In May 2017, Tom and Rita sold two side-by-side homes in the Palisades for $18 million. The buyer, who has hidden their identification through a San Francisco-based lawyer and LLC, proceeded to demolish the two homes to make way for a very large single mansion. Tom and Rita own at least five other homes in the Pacific Palisades.
Outside of Los Angeles, Tom and Rita own a ski house in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
Tom Hanks Net Worth Milestones
Tom was first added to Celebrity Net Worth in October 2009. At the time we pegged his fortune at $150 million. As of this writing, Tom Hanks' net worth is $400 million.
Quotes
"There isn't any great mystery about me. What I do is glamorous and has an awful lot of white-hot attention placed on it. But the actual work requires the same discipline and passion as any job you love doing, be it as a very good pipe fitter or a highly creative artist."
"If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great."
Personal Life
Tom Hanks was married to Samantha Lewes from 1978 to 1987. He married actress Rita Wilson in 1988. He has four children, including actor Colin Hanks and rapper Chet Haze. Colin Hanks' mother is Samantha Lewes. Chet's mother is Rita Wilson.
Tom Hanks published a collection of short stories in 2017 titled "Uncommon Type." And in May 2023, his debut novel, "The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece," was released.
