Colin Hanks
A character actor of steady grace, he carved his own path from famous lineage to critical praise for his role in the chilling series 'Fargo'.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American actor·Birthday: November 24·Generation X
Biography
Colin Hanks carries a famous name with a notably low-key demeanor, building a career defined by reliable, nuanced performances rather than blockbuster leads. He first gained attention in teen films like 'Orange County' but truly found his footing in television, where his everyman quality shone. His portrayal of the earnest and beleaguered police officer Gus Grimly in the first season of 'Fargo' was a masterclass in understated tension, earning him major award nominations. As a filmmaker, he directed the documentary 'All Things Must Pass,' a loving chronicle of the Tower Records story. Hanks represents a model of Hollywood craftsmanship, valuing the work over the spotlight.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Colin was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Colin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Colin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Critics' Choice Award nominations for his performance in the first season of 'Fargo'.
- Directed and produced the feature documentary 'All Things Must Pass,' which premiered at SXSW in 2015.
- Played a recurring role as Travis Marshall on the acclaimed television series 'Mad Men'.
Did You Know?
He is an avid collector of vinyl records and vintage audio equipment.
He named his production company 'Company of Heroes' after his father's film.
He provided the voice for a character in the video game 'The Sims 3: Late Night' expansion pack.
“I just want to be part of good stories with interesting characters.”
