Q 01/05

In which year was Tom Hanks born?

A) 1962

B) 1959

C) 1956

D) 1968

Answer · why

C) 1956

He was born at Mount Diablo Hospital in Concord, California. His first fame came from a sitcom in which he wore a dress.

Q 02/05

In which state was Tom Hanks born?

A) Ohio farmland

B) California

C) New York State

D) Illinois

Answer · why

B) California

Concord, in the East Bay, was the town. He grew up moving frequently between relatives.

Q 03/05

Which sitcom gave Hanks his TV breakthrough, playing a man dressed as a woman for cheap rent?

A) Bosom Buddies

B) Family Ties

C) Taxi at NBC

D) Night Court

Answer · why

A) Bosom Buddies

It ran on ABC from 1980 to 1982. Peter Scolari played the other half of the pair.

Q 04/05

Which 1984 mermaid comedy became a surprise hit and made Hanks a film lead?

A) Bachelor Party

B) Cocoon

C) Volunteers

D) Splash

Answer · why

D) Splash

It grossed more than $69 million. Ron Howard directed it, beginning a partnership that lasted decades.

Q 05/05

Which 1988 fantasy comedy earned Hanks his first Academy Award nomination?

A) Punchline

B) The Money Pit

C) Big

D) Dragnet

Answer · why

C) Big

He played a twelve-year-old boy in an adult body. The film established him as a major Hollywood talent.