9 Rare Photos of a Young Tom Hanks Getting His Start

tom hanks appearing in 'bosom buddies'
Rare Photos of a Young Tom Hanks Getting His StartGetty Images

Nowadays, it seems like Tom Hanks is everywhere—he’s acted in dozens of movies, has been nominated for hundreds of awards (we’re not kidding), and even starred in a Carly Rae Jepsen music video—remember that? It might be hard to imagine, but once upon a time, the beloved actor was just the new kid on the block trying his hand at the whole acting thing.

Although we’re used to seeing Hanks on the big screen today, the California native got his start in theater and television. His first big break came after he dropped out of college and headed out to New York City. After the move, he landed one of the main roles in a hit 1980s sitcom, and as they say, the rest is history. From his days spent on the set to stylish red carpet shots from decades ago, here are nine rare photos of Tom Hanks getting his start.

Appearing on P.I.P.’s

In 1980, Hanks and fellow Bosom Buddies actor Peter Scolari were interviewed by ABC for a television special. This was the same year that Bosom Buddies came on the air. (Scolari died in 2021 at age 56.)

tom hanks and peter scolari sit in directors chairs outside with another man, also seated, all three men smile
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Bosom Buddies

A then-25-year-old Hanks is pictured here in 1981, posing on the set of Bosom Buddies. The show also starred Holland Taylor and lasted two seasons. “I can say I absolutely knew Tom Hanks was going to be an enormous star in our first rehearsal,” Taylor told People in 2020.

tom hanks smiles while standing inside a room and wearing a jersey style tshirt
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Splash

A couple of years after Bosom Buddies ended, Hanks appeared on the big screen in the Ron Howard–directed movie Splash. In it, Hanks played a man named Allen Bauer who falls in love with a mermaid named Madison, played by Daryl Hannah. Hanks told Entertainment Weekly in early 2023 that he was cast in the film after Howard saw him as a guest star on Happy Days.

tom hanks looks at the camera as he leans his back against a tree trunk, he wears a collared shirt, tie and suit jacket
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Fox Studios Backlot

Here, Hanks is pictured posing at the Fox Studios Backlot in 1984. The young actor would star in Big some years later.

actor tom hanks leans his back against a brick wall with graffiti on it and looks at the camera, his arms are crossed on his chest, he wears a collared short sleeve shirt and light colored bottoms with a belt
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Volunteers

In 1985, Hanks appeared in Volunteers, a movie directed by Nicholas Meyer that also boasted John Candy and Hanks’ future wife, Rita Wilson, as part of its cast. Interestingly enough, this was not the first time Wilson and Hanks crossed paths; the two met years earlier and became quick friends when Wilson guest starred on Bosom Buddies.

tom hanks, rita wilson, and john candy in character for volunteers
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Saturday Night Live

In December 1985, Hanks appeared on Saturday Night Live alongside Jon Lovitz and Damon Wayans. The three were part of a skit titled “The Stand-Ups.”

tom hanks, jon lovitz, and damon wayans perform in a skit for saturday night live
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Nothing in Common Screening

Hanks and Wilson walk the red carpet for a screening of Nothing in Common. The two had recently gone public with their relationship.

tom hanks and rita wilson stand next to each other in formal attire, several people crowd behind them
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Big

Still considered a classic today, Hanks starred in 1988’s Big as Josh, a young boy who wishes to be “big” and wakes up the next morning as an adult. The movie also stars Elizabeth Perkins, Jon Lovitz, and John Heard and earned Hanks his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

tom hanks and elizabeth perkins pose for a photo while in character for big
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Deauville American Film Festival

In 1988, Hanks went to France to attend the Deauville American Film Festival with his wife, Wilson. The two had gotten married just a few months earlier.

rita wilson and tom hanks smiles as they walk together in formal attire
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