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Tom Hanks Turns 70, Celebrates with Marathon, WWII Doc

7/10/2026

Summary

Tom Hanks Turns 70

Tom Hanks turned 70 on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
He posted an Instagram water-jump video and promoted a birthday marathon on Boss Radio 66.
He narrated the History Channel documentary “World War II with Tom Hanks,” which aired through July.
He acted in “The Phoenician Scheme” and voiced Woody in “Toy Story 5.”
Rita Wilson posted a tribute that drew comments from Julianne Moore and others.

Summary

Tom Hanks Honored

Tom Hanks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the White House on Nov. 22, 2016.
After being honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in Dec. 2014, he accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 5, 2020.
Harvard University awarded him an honorary degree, after which he delivered the commencement address on May 25, 2023.
He hosted the “Celebrating America” primetime special on Jan. 20, 2021, which was livestreamed nationwide.

History

Historical Context

In 1963 President John F. Kennedy created the Presidential Medal of Freedom, replacing the 1945 Medal of Freedom and opening the honor to cultural figures. Nixon’s 1969 ceremony made comedian Bob Hope the first Hollywood entertainer, alongside astronaut Neil Armstrong and activist Coretta Scott King. Obama’s 2016 award to actor Tom Hanks continued that trend; Obama ultimately presented 118 medals, the most of any president.

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Tom Hanks Turns 70

Tom Hanks turned 70 on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
He posted an Instagram water-jump video and promoted a birthday marathon on Boss Radio 66.
He narrated the History Channel documentary “World War II with Tom Hanks,” which aired through July.
He acted in “The Phoenician Scheme” and voiced Woody in “Toy Story 5.”
Rita Wilson posted a tribute that drew comments from Julianne Moore and others.

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