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Samantha Lewes was a talented American film actress always linked to her ex-husband, the sensational Tom Hanks.
Both were students at California State University, Sacramento, where they also got married in 1978.
They also had two children Colin and Elizabeth before the couple decided to part ways via a divorce in 1987.
Samantha Leigh Martin began a career in TV shows and movies during the late 1970s – early 1980s; she was an actress who acted in a famous sitcom known as “Bosom Buddies” which acted alongside Hanks.
She struggled with bone cancer during her final years up to her death on the 12th of March 2002.
Early Life and Background
Samantha Lewes was born on November 29, 1952, in San Diego, California, and came from a military family.
John Raymond Dillingham was her father and he was a U.S. Marine. He received a Purple Heart for his service.
After her parents split in 1962, Samantha was raised by her mother, a teacher, and her three siblings.
They moved around a lot, ending up in Northern California.
Education Journey
Samantha Lewes went to Skyline High School, where she started loving acting by being in local plays.
This early experience helped her decide to become an actress. After high school, she went to California State University, Sacramento, to improve her acting with other students, including Tom Hanks.
The helpful school and her friends helped her become a successful actress in Hollywood.
Meeting Tom Hanks
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks were both in theater at California State University, Sacramento. As for the classes and acting, two people bond closely.
This was none too soon because the real Samantha wanted a man with a different personality from Tom and not an imitation of Tom the actor.
They constantly spent considerable time together and meant more than just friends, they got married in 1978 and had their children.
Marriage to Tom Hanks
Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks got married in 1978, right after their first child, Colin, was born on November 24, 1977.
They had their second child, Elizabeth Ann, on May 17, 1982. At the start of their marriage, Tom had a hard time making it as an actor, so Samantha mostly took care of the kids.
This made their relationship tough because they had to deal with being new parents and Tom’s growing career.
Career Highlights
Samantha Lewes was a talented actress, who was active in her careers during the seventies and the early eighties mostly in television and the big screen.
Employed in the television series “Bosom Buddies” (1980-1982), she starred with her husband, Tom Hanks as a waitress in an autobiography for two men who disguised themselves as women living in a cheap women’s hotel.
She also featured in the movie “Mr. Success” (1984); a man who abandons his family in the pursuit of fame and wealth.
Even if Samantha did not find the success as other women in the movie industry her work is valuable as it demonstrated her skills and efforts at the time when her husband was starting to become notorious.
Struggles in Marriage
The relationship between Samantha Lewes and Tom Hanks broke down because Hanks focused too much on his career, leaving Samantha to handle most of the parenting.
This made Samantha feel neglected and isolated, as she was overwhelmed with household chores while Hanks was busy with acting.
Hanks also admitted he wasn’t ready for marriage because he was too young and insecure, which made it hard for him to manage family life.
Their different priorities and the stress of raising their kids led them to separate in 1984, and they got divorced three years later.
Even though they knew it was for the best, Hanks felt guilty about leaving their children during this difficult time.
Life After Divorce
After her split from Tom Hanks in 1987, Samantha Lewes dealt with tough times, both feeling and work-wise.
She kept acting but found it hard to balance her career with being a single mom to her kids, Colin and Elizabeth, who she raised by herself.
Their divorce didn’t end their friendship; they still worked together as parents, with Hanks feeling guilty and wanting to stay involved in their kids’ lives.
However, the divorce and health problems that followed were hard to handle. Samantha got bone cancer in the late 1990s, which made her life difficult.
Despite this, Hanks was there for her, showing their strong bond for their kids until she passed away in 2002.
Health Challenges
Samantha Lewes had to be diagnosed with bone cancer in 2001 while undergoing a checkup.
It began as a disease that could be cured but then migrated to her lungs and her brain making it treatable.
Even after visiting all the best doctors, including the ones from the Tom Hanks series, her ex-husband who stood by her, Samantha’s health deteriorated very quickly.
The illness not only weakened her physically but also, emotionally disturbed herself and her family, especially kids can and Elizabeth.
End of almost a year of treatment Samantha died on March 12 2002 a week before her 50 birthday though till today her legacy in the entertainment industry and her bond with her children is still felt.
Final Years
Samantha Lewes’ health got very bad after she found out she had bone cancer in 2001 during a regular checkup.
At first, she got some treatment that seemed to help, but the cancer quickly got worse, moving to her lungs and brain.
As her health got worse, she felt a lot of pain and had trouble doing everyday things. In her last days, her family, including her kids Colin and Elizabeth, were there for her, giving her support and making her feel better.
Even though she was going through a tough time, she stayed strong and positive, thinking about her life and the love she had for her family.
Samantha died on March 12, 2002, at 49 years old, but she left behind a strong spirit and the lasting connections she had with her family.
Samantha is remembered through her children, and the people that she changed, proving that success isn’t about popularity, but about the connections we make.
The vicissitudes of Samantha Lewes’ life illuminate the challenges of being famous in Hollywood in detail.
They guys can still feast on her love story and the strength she possessed while people with hidden issues that most neglect cannot see.
