Hanks graduated from Skyline High School and began attending Chabot College in Hayward, California, where he studied theater.

Hanks began performing with the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, an experience that significantly influenced his acting career.

Hanks won the Cleveland Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his performance as Proteus in Shakespeare's 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona'.

Hanks became an intern at the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland, Ohio, gaining extensive experience in various aspects of theater production.