Top 10 Coolest Things About Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks is known for incredible performances and consistently choosing projects that have changed film and television. He’s not afraid to take on challenging roles, often inspiring filmmakers to innovate and giving audiences a new perspective on familiar stories. Here are ten examples of how his work has had a significant and lasting impact on the screen.

‘Forrest Gump’ (1994) – he traded salary for profit participation

Hanks accepted a lower initial salary with the understanding he’d receive a portion of the film’s profits, which ultimately earned him a much larger sum. He and director Robert Zemeckis also supported crucial scenes to make sure they were as grand as planned. Hanks won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance – the second consecutive year he’d received the award. The movie was a huge success, both financially and culturally, and remains well-known for its memorable lines and scenes even today.

‘Philadelphia’ (1993) – the performance that broke a barrier at the Oscars

Tom Hanks won an Academy Award for his role as Andrew Beckett, a lawyer living with AIDS – a groundbreaking portrayal for a leading man in Hollywood. He thoroughly researched the legal system and how discrimination cases are handled to prepare for the part. The movie sparked important discussions about HIV/AIDS and workers’ rights. This win was particularly notable as it led to Hanks winning Best Actor again the following year, making him one of the few actors to achieve that rare back-to-back accomplishment.

‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998) – relentless realism shaped around his unit leader

Tom Hanks, playing Captain John H. Miller, led a cast that underwent intense, realistic training led by military advisor Dale Dye. This boot camp wasn’t just for show; it helped the actors build believable camaraderie and informed how combat scenes played out on screen, from tactical maneuvers to subtle hand signals. Hanks subtly portrayed the effects of war on his character, like a slight tremble caused by stress, to show how exhausting and draining combat was. The film’s realistic approach had a lasting impact on war movies and was recognized with numerous Academy Awards, including one for Best Director.

‘Toy Story’ (1995–2019) – giving life to Woody across the first fully CG feature franchise

Tom Hanks famously voiced Sheriff Woody throughout the Toy Story series, playing a key role in establishing how full-length computer-animated movies are made. He carefully timed and delivered his lines with a musical quality to fit the evolving animation process. His on-screen chemistry with Tim Allen, who voiced Buzz Lightyear, became central to the films’ humor and emotional impact. The huge success of the Toy Story franchise solidified Pixar’s position as a leader in animated filmmaking.

‘Cast Away’ (2000) – a body-transforming role built into the production schedule

Filming was put on hold for several months to allow Tom Hanks to lose weight and grow his hair and beard, convincingly showing the effects of long-term isolation. He also trained in survival skills to perform them realistically on screen. Because the movie had very little dialogue, Hanks relied heavily on physical acting, and the sound design was crucial. His performance earned him a Golden Globe, and the film became well-known as a standout example of a story about one person surviving alone.

‘Big’ (1988) – a child’s perspective anchored by practical performance

Tom Hanks received his first Best Actor nomination for his role as a man who magically wakes up as a child, but in an adult’s body. To make the comedic performance realistic, he carefully observed how children move and speak. The famous scene with the giant piano at FAO Schwarz was filmed live with Robert Loggia, giving it a natural and genuine feel. The film’s popularity helped Hanks transition from primarily comedic roles to more serious, leading parts.

‘A League of Their Own’ (1992) – coaching in a sports film that spotlighted real history

Tom Hanks, playing manager Jimmy Dugan, starred in a movie about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The actors underwent rigorous baseball training to make their performances realistic, and Hanks intentionally played his role to showcase their athletic abilities. The film is famous for a particular line delivered in the locker room, which has become iconic in sports movies. By combining exciting baseball scenes with a strong sense of the time period, the movie helped bring renewed attention to the league and its history.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001) – expanding into Emmy-winning producing and directing

Tom Hanks partnered with Steven Spielberg as an executive producer, bringing a movie-like quality to the television series. He also directed an episode called ‘Crossroads’ and helped with the writing, expanding his role behind the scenes. The production team worked hard to ensure historical accuracy, consulting with experts, providing training, and filming on location. The series was a critical success, winning several Emmy Awards and setting a new standard for high-quality limited-run television.

‘From the Earth to the Moon’ (1998) – championing space history on television

Tom Hanks was the driving force behind this HBO miniseries about the Apollo program. He not only developed and oversaw the project, but also hosted, co-wrote, and directed parts of it, blending fictional scenes with real documentary footage. The series was carefully researched with help from NASA experts and historical archives to ensure accuracy in everything from the procedures shown to the sets and conversations. It won an Emmy Award and sparked a new wave of public excitement about space exploration.

Playtone – the production company powering films, series, and music-driven projects

Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman started Playtone, a production company focused on films, limited series, and stories about music. They’ve produced popular projects like ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding,’ ‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘Band of Brothers’, and ‘The Pacific’, creating both movies for theaters and high-quality TV shows. Playtone often combines historical events with compelling characters and carefully recreated settings. Their work has been recognized with numerous awards, including Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes.

Share your favorite Tom Hanks moment or role in the comments!

2025-11-06 19:45