Fact Check: Is Tom Hanks related to former president Abraham Lincoln?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Tom Hanks is known for delivering some big hits on the silver screen with films like 'Castaway', 'Forrest Gump', 'Saving Private Ryan', and many more. He is considered one of the greatest actors in Hollywood in the last few decades.

Recently, posts circulating on social media claimed that the Hollywood legend is related to late former president Abraham Lincoln. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out. 

Claim: Tom Hanks is related to former president Abraham Lincoln

In early 2025, many users on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) came up with the theory that the 'Catch Me If You Can' actor is related to former president Abraham Lincoln. 

An X user called @EllusivePanda posted pictures of the two and captioned the post, "Did you know that actor Tom Hanks is actually related to former US President Abraham Lincoln? Hanks is Lincoln's third cousin, four times removed. The genealogical connection was discovered during the filming of the documentary series "Finding Your Roots" in 2012."

Similarly, another X user made a similar post in December 2024 and wrote, "Tom Hanks is related to Abraham Lincoln: Tom Hanks has played historical figures such as Walt Disney and Mister Rogers throughout his illustrious career, but he’s never been a president — not even the one he’s related to."

Another person on X also wrote, "I love learning random stuff. How I’m looking up astrology stuff and done found out Tom Hanks is related to Abraham Lincoln."

Fact Check: Yes, Tom Hanks is third cousin of Abraham Lincoln, four generations removed

The claim made in online rumors is true as Tom Hanks is the third cousin of former president Abraham Lincoln, four generations removed, according to Genealogy Blog.

As per the site, Lincoln’s great-great-grandfather was John Hanks, who was also Hanks' great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.

Moreover, in 2014, Hanks revealed the relation when he announced he would work as a narrator on National Geographic’s 'Killing Lincoln', per Distractify.

Furthermore, Lincoln's mother's name was Nancy Hanks.

Hanks had said about the connection to the late president, "The members of my branch of the family are either cousins or in-laws or poor relations. So when I was at school, guess which president I was always doing essays on?" according to Ancestry.com.

In 2012, the Daily Mail also did a story where they mentioned how the two prominent figures are related.

Tom Hanks and Abraham Lincoln's relation with other famous people

Apart from Tom Hanks and Abraham Lincoln, there are some other famous names as well who share the same family tree. 

Interestingly, Lincoln is related to several famous stars, including Elvis Presley, as the singer is Lincoln's third cousin, five times removed, according to FamousKin.com.

Similarly, WWE wrestler and actor John Cena is Lincoln's fifth cousin, five times removed, per the website.

Moreover, George Clooney is even closer as a first cousin, five times removed, the website claims.

Other famous Lincoln relatives include John Hancock, Amelia Earhart, John Ritter, John Denver, Jane Austen, former president James Garfield, TS Eliot, Milton Bradley, Tennessee Williams, and Orville and Wilbur Wright, according to FamousKin.com.