Since its establishment in 2006, Lincoln Presidential Foundation’s annual Lincoln Leadership Prize has honored exceptional individuals for their service in the Lincoln tradition and served as an essential fundraiser for our mission-driven work.
20TH ANNUAL LINCOLN LEADERSHIP PRIZE EVENT
TOM HANKS
Photo: Randall Holmes
Honoring Tom Hanks, 2027 Lincoln Leadership Prize Recipient
Spring 2027 · Chicago · Date and venue to be announced
About the Honoree
One of only two actors in history to win back-to-back Best Actor Academy Awards, Hanks has starred in over 40 films, including “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Cast Away,” “Big,” “Philadelphia,” “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” and “A Man Called Otto,” as well as voicing Woody in all five “Toy Story” movies. With his production company, Playtone, Hanks has produced several award-winning TV series and films, including “John Adams,” “Band of Brothers,” “Olive Kitteridge,” "Mamma Mia!” and “Greyhound.” Hanks has received AFI's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Cecil B. DeMille Award, a Kennedy Center Honor, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Through his brand “Hanks For Our Troops,” which donates all profits to veterans and military families, and his role as chair of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes campaign, Hanks has honored those who have served and supported the caregivers and families who stand behind them. His work echoes Lincoln’s call in his Second Inaugural Address “to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”
Celebrating 20 Years
Tom Hanks will become the 20th recipient of the Lincoln Leadership Prize. He joins a distinguished group of past honorees that includes U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, astronaut James A. Lovell Jr., journalist Tim Russert, Polish President Lech Wałęsa, U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, film director Steven Spielberg, civil rights icons the Little Rock Nine, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, philanthropist David Rubenstein, actor Gary Sinise, corporate leader Mellody Hobson, business leader Jim Reynolds, historian Jon Meacham, actor Sam Waterston, and filmmaker Ken Burns.
For questions or assistance, please contact Angela Staron at (224) 383-8541 or astaron@lincolnpresidential.org.