Tom Hanks is an iconic American actor and director, who has been nominated for Academy Awards six times and won twice His career spans over four decades, during which he has built a wide fan base and has become one of the most recognizable figures in movies. From his early slapstick comedies to his complex character studies, Hanks has touched people's hearts time and time again with his memorable performances.
The best examples of Tom Hanks’s work illustrate the range of his talent and the level of emotion he is capable of conveying.
1. Forrest Gump (1994). Hanks won his second Oscar for his role as the titular character in this classic drama. As the sweet-natured but intellectually challenged Forrest Gump, Hanks created an iconic character whose touching story of courage, perseverance, and love was easily identifiable and universally appreciated.
2. Big (1988). In this comedy, Hanks plays a 12-year old boy whose wish to be ‘big’ is granted when he wakes up one morning as an adult. Hanks manages to both laughably and poignantly portray the childlike innocence of his character and the adult world he is thrust into.
3. Saving Private Ryan (1998). In this war-time epic Hanks plays the stoic military leader Capt. John Miller. Miller does everything in his power to complete the mission of rescuing a lost soldier, which includes leading his troops through harrowing combat sequences. Hanks is flawless in his depiction of the inner strength and devotion of Miller, who sacrifices himself so that his men can live.
4. Apollo 13 (1995). Hanks stars as astronaut Jim Lovell in this gripping dramatization of an unsuccessful NASA mission. As Lovell, Hanks creates an inspiring portrait of a leader doggedly determined to get his crew back home safe, and manages to keep the audience on the edge of their seats with the sheer suspense of his performance.
5. Cast Away (2000). In this intense drama, Hanks plays a man stranded on a remote island after a plane crash. His captivating performance shows his character’s physical and mental transformation, a journey that includes both despair and hope. Hanks even managed to drop 50 pounds for the role, a testament to his commitment to character.
These five examples of Tom Hanks’s work are some of his best performances and only highlight the depth and range of his acting ability. Whether playing a child, an adult, a soldier, an astronaut, or a stranded castaway, Hanks continues to captivate audiences and prove himself a truly talented actor.