Tom Hanks is recognized primarily for his comedic and dramatic roles. His epic films include Forrest Gump, Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal. Tom Hanks currently holds the position of being the fourth highest-grossing actor in all of North America. Let’s discover how Tom Hanks became a Hollywood A-lister.
Tom Hanks Starts His Acting Career
Hanks began his acting career in plays while he was still in high school, and he later majored in theater while attending college. In an interview, Tom Hanks revealed that immediately following his graduation from college, he was hired by the Classic Repertoire Theater to work there. This opportunity was compensated with professional theater experience, and Hanks subsisted on a weekly wage of roughly $50.
Hanks claimed that he had no prior knowledge or skills and that the position was essential in assisting him in the development of his skills. In an interview, he stated that he wholeheartedly concurred with Vincent Dowling‘s statement that “work in the theater is more fun than fun.” Tom Hanks began his career in television after a brief experience on stage, and it was there that he was eventually offered the role that would launch his acting career.
During his appearances on Happy Days, he became acquainted with filmmaker Ron Howard. Howard would soon direct Hanks in the 1984 film Splash, which rightly created a splash in Hollywood and brought Hanks considerable recognition. After that, the public simply could not get enough of Hanks. However, why? What makes Hanks’ skill and versatility in portraying good and bad characters distinctive? Why has he been called “America’s dad”? Here is what makes Tom Hanks so popular and well-known.
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Tom Hanks is Hollywood’s Most Unique Actor
When most viewers watch Tom Hanks perform, they get the impression that he is being real in his performance. Hanks possesses a level of believability that is unparalleled in the Hollywood industry. He exudes an air of familiarity that not only endears him to his audience but also brings back memories of the legendary James Stewart. He is America’s “regular person” and has been America’s dad since 2006.
Hanks has elegantly evolved from a young, popular actor to a veteran who has appeared in movies that have received critical praise, and he has gladly accepted his role as the most popular father in America. This was highlighted by his humorous and endearing performance in Carly Rey Jepson’s music video, I Really Like You, as well as his 2016 Saturday Night Live monologue as America’s concerned, cardigan-wearing father. This adjustment was made easier by the fact that Hanks has never been called upon as an actor to emanate sexual attraction.
Instead of focusing on physical appeal, Hanks’s works depict true relationships. Hanks’s more recent roles have contributed to his status as Hollywood’s nice guy and exemplary father. For instance, his character in the 2011 film Larry Crowne, in which he played a middle-aged man who goes back to school, his paternal role as Walt Disney in the 2013 film Saving Mr. Banks, his role in 2016 as the seasoned pilot Sully, followed by his roles as the much-loved Mr. Rogers, and now his portrayal of Pinnochio’s father in 2022.
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Tom Hanks Can Make Any Role Rememberable
Although Tom Hanks is renowned as a nice guy both in and out of the film industry, he is also renowned and well-liked for his ability to portray nearly any role, including the more sinister ones. This is especially evident in his roles as Road to Perdition and Colonel Tom Parker in the 2022 film Elvis. Hanks had mixed feelings about playing Parker.
Although the part has already been critiqued for being the least likable character of Hanks’ career, Hanks said in a recent interview that he played Parker since he was a passionate and smart man who made sure he loaded his pockets. To this point, reactions to the character have been divided; nevertheless, it does signal that Hanks may begin to take on roles that challenge his status.
Hanks will portray a hostile elderly man in 2022’s A Man Called Otto and in 2023’s adaptation of Richard McGuire’s novel Here. Hanks contributes true effort and comprehension of his characters to all of his performances, and this is possibly why he is so popular. His career trajectory demonstrates that art and theater have always been his top priorities, which is what makes him such a remarkable actor.
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Sources: EW, Failure Before Success, Biography
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