Samantha Bryant Is Colin Hanks’ Wife Who Changed His Life - Meet Her
Actress Samantha Bryant has been happily married to "Jumanji" actor Colin Hanks since 2010, and he is the son of iconic multiple Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks.
Actress Samantha Bryant married into one of Hollywood's most influential and famous families when she said "yes" to Colin Hanks in 2010. Despite her husband's and father-in-law's fame, Samantha Bryant has managed to keep her marriage and family out of the limelight.
Still, Colin has given fans some hints and glimpses into the couple's relationship, and the sweet bond he admits transformed his life.
Samantha Bryant and Colin Hanks at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in 2021 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Born on April 13, 1980, California girl Samantha Bryant is the center of her husband Colin Hanks' life. On their tenth wedding anniversary, Colin wrote in an Instagram post:
"Ten years ago today, my life changed in a multitude of ways, and each day since then, my life has become more meaningful and has given me a greater purpose, far beyond what I could have imagined."
Colin, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his famous father, was born into Tom Hanks' first marriage to actress Samantha Lewes and has a sister, Elizabeth. Colin's parents divorced when he was 10, and his mother passed away when he was 25.
It has been Samantha who has given Colin the stability and love he needed and helped him build a beautiful family.
Samantha Bryant Was Involved in the Acting Industry Even before Knowing Her Husband
One thing Colin and Samantha Bryant have in common is a love of acting. Even though they were both born into families of actors, Samantha started working earlier than her husband.
Her first role was in the TV miniseries "The Singing Detective" at the age of six, and in 2005 she acted in the sci-fi adventure movie "Zathura: A Space Adventure." Samantha has also stepped behind the camera and has worked as a production assistant.
The sunset ceremony was attended by some of Hollywood's biggest names, including director Steven Spielberg, a crowd of A-list actors, and the bridegroom's dad Oscar-winning dad.
Samantha had a sideline, as she worked as a restaurant publicist between auditioning for new roles and acting on TV, film, and theater.
Samantha Bryant at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Samantha Bryant & Colin Hanks Started Out as Friends
Samantha and Colin knew of each other long before they met. They had a group of mutual friends and were both aspiring actors. Colin revealed:
"We had the same group of friends and knew of each other but never paid attention to it."
Once they met, Colin and Samantha became friends. Gradually, their friendship became love, and in 2009 Colin proposed. The wedding was on the roof of the London Hotel in West Hollywood a year later.
The sunset ceremony was attended by some of Hollywood's biggest names, including director Steven Spielberg, a crowd of A-list actors, and the bridegroom's dad Oscar-winning dad.
Samantha Bryant Helped Her Husband Get through the Darkest Times
Samantha has no social media presence, but her husband can't stop raving about his extraordinary wife. He often writes about how much she means to him and the strength she inspires in him. He wrote:
"You helped me thru my darkest of days and have been a reason for my brightest ones. There is no better friend. There is no better partner. There is no better mother to our children. And there is no one I would rather be with than with you.."
On a post celebrating Samantha's birthday, Colin called her his "guardian angel," and on their anniversary; Colin promised Samantha that he would never take the precious happiness they shared for granted.
Samantha Bryant Now Raises Her Two Daughters in Private
Samantha and Colin welcomed their first child, daughter Olivia Jane Hanks, on February 1, 2011. In 2013, Olivia Jane became a big sister when baby Charlotte was born.
On Mother's Day, Colin paid a heartfelt tribute to Samantha's sterling qualities as a mother and as his wife and best friend. He shared a rare photo of his wife walking away with their daughters, and we can tell that while Olivia has her dad's raven hair, Charlotte has blond locks.
Samantha is determined to keep her children out of the limelight, and no photos of the two girls are ever shared by Colin or the grandparents on social media. Samantha keeps her Instagram account private.
The Hanks family has kept their life lowkey, but their children spend a lot of time with their famous grandparents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Colin revealed that his father and Rita spoil the children and don't make them keep to their scheduled bedtime.
It remains to be seen if Olivia and Charlotte will follow in their mom, dad, and grandparents' footsteps and become actors and add a third generation to the Hanks dynasty.