Tom Hanks on TV: From ‘Happy Days’ to ‘Bosom Buddies,’ See His Earliest Roles and Iconic Moments
Discover Tom Hanks' earliest TV roles and how they shaped his journey to becoming a Hollywood legend
Tom Hanks continues to captivate the imagination of audiences through so many iconic films released over the past 40 years, ranging from 1984’s Splash to this year’s Here. All told, it’s a long way from the start of his career, which featured guest appearances on shows like Happy Days, Family Ties and Taxi. But it was Bosom Buddies on ABC, where he starred alongside Peter Scolari, that truly put Hanks on the map. Playing an ad exec forced to disguise himself as a woman to secure housing, Hanks demonstrated his comedic prowess, paving the way for what would become a skyrocketing film career.
What makes Hanks unique is the pride he feels for his TV roots. In 2010, he participated in a TV Land Awards reunion with his Bosom Buddies co-stars, reflecting fondly on the experience. “You can look back and say, ‘You know, we really did some great shows,’” he told the LA Times. While he acknowledged that dressing as a woman grew tiresome (“We’d tell the writers, ‘Isn’t our banter enough?’”), his memories of the show remain positive.
Let’s dive into Tom Hanks’ TV career, from his early roles to his recent ventures.
‘The Love Boat’ (1980)
Tom Hanks made a charming guest appearance in the Love Boat episode “Sergeant Bull/Friends and Lovers/Miss Mother,” which was the first episode of the show’s fourth season. Playing a college acquaintance of cruise director Julie (Lauren Tewes), he proved even then that he had the charisma to steal a scene.
‘Bosom Buddies’ (1980–82)
The sitcom that started it all! Tom played Kip Wilson, an ad man who, along with his friend Henry (Peter Scolari), disguises himself as a woman to live in a women-only apartment. Despite its wacky premise, the show revealed Tom’s knack for improvisation and witty humor, proving he was a star in the making.
‘Taxi’ (1982)
In “The Road Not Taken, Part 1” (Season 4, Episode 23), Hanks guest-starred as one of the college students who introduces Christopher Lloyd’s character Reverend Jim to pot brownies. This flashback provided a hilarious glimpse into Jim’s pre-drug days as a straight-laced Harvard student.
‘Happy Days’ (1982)
In the fifth episode of Happy Days‘ 10th season, “A Little Case of Revenge,” Hanks played Dr. Dwayne Twitchell, a karate expert out to settle a childhood grudge against the Fonz (Henry Winkler). Unsurprisingly, Fonzie emerges victorious — but the episode remains a fun milestone for Hanks.
‘Mazes and Monsters’ (1982)
This made-for-TV movie saw Tom tackling the role of Robbie Wheeling, a college student whose immersion in a fantasy role-playing game takes a dark turn. A far cry from his comedic roots, this was an early look at his dramatic potential.
‘Family Ties’ (1983–84)
As Uncle Ned, Tom Hanks delivered a poignant performance as an embezzling, alcoholic relative of Michael J. Fox’s Alex P. Keaton. These episodes showcased his ability to navigate comedy and drama, setting the stage for the diverse career that followed.
‘Tales From the Crypt’ (1992)
In the fourth season premiere of Tales from the Crypt, Hanks co-starred and directed “None but the Lonely Heart,” which told the grisly tale of a con-man preying on elderly women. True to the series’ twisty style, things take a darkly humorous turn.
‘From the Earth to the Moon’ (1998)
As producer and host of this HBO miniseries, Hanks brought the Apollo space program to life in a deeply engaging way, cementing his reputation as a storyteller both on and off camera.
‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
Hanks followed up From the Earth to the Moon with this WWII masterpiece, serving as producer and director. The series, based on the experiences of Easy Company, was universally praised for its depth and authenticity.
‘Saturday Night Live’ — David S. Pumpkins (2016)
Tom’s multiple SNL appearances have always been highlights, but his portrayal of the quirky, inexplicable David S. Pumpkins in the “Haunted Elevator” sketch became a viral sensation. The character’s oddball humor struck a chord with audiences, further cementing Hanks’ versatility.
‘The Movies’ (2019)
Tom Hanks produced this CNN documentary series chronicling the history of American cinema, celebrating iconic moments from Hollywood’s past and exploring its cultural impact.
‘1883: The Bass Reeves Story’ (2021)
In this limited series, Hanks made a notable cameo as General George Meade, adding gravitas to the Yellowstone prequel spin-off.
‘A Man Called Otto: Promotional Series’ (2023)
To promote his heartfelt film A Man Called Otto, Hanks collaborated on a short-form digital series that blended humor and introspection, spotlighting his enduring appeal.
Tom Hanks’ movie credits
- Splash (1984, his first major film role)
- Joe Versus the Volcano (1990, first film with Meg Ryan)
- A League of Their Own (1992, directed by Penny Marshall)
- Sleepless in Seattle (1993, in which he reunited with Meg Ryan)
- Forrest Gump (1994, directed by Robert Zemeckis)
- Apollo 13 (1995, directed by Ron Howard)
- Toy Story (1995, which saw him playing Woody for the first time)
- Saving Private Ryan (1998, World War II drama directed by Steven Spielberg)
- The Da Vinci Code (2006, in which he played Professor Robert Langdon)
Facts about Tom Hanks
- When Tom Hanks met Vincent Dowling, head of the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland, Ohio, it changed his life: he dropped out of college for an internship that gave him three years of experience learning everything he could about production.
- Tom Hanks has won four Golden Globe Awards
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
