Tom Hanks’s Acting Career: an Evaluation by Anna DeYoung
After watching ELVIS, the 2022 film, I noticed a vaguely familiar face. Low and behold, after some research, I discovered that it was Tom Hanks who played Elvis’ controlling Dutch manager, Tom Parker. Under all of the prosthetics and layers of makeup hid Tom Hanks, barely recognizable. Astonished, I looked into his movie and tv show history. The man is everywhere.
When I started this investigation, the mention of Tom Hanks made me think of his popular roles as American soldiers. His roles of Forrest Gump from Forrest Gump and Captain Miller from Saving Private Ryan were the first to spring into my mind. Both movies are American classics, filling the audience’s hearts with patriotism while also providing the depth of war. These roles were iconic, but I had to dig deeper. This is only the surface.
Next, I stumbled upon his more serious roles during the 90’s and into the 2000’s. Popular works such as Cast Away and Da Vinci Code surprised me. Is that my Mr. America? These works are also iconic, but also old enough for me to not remember them to be starring Tom Hanks. This influence of dramatic acting made me realize the range of Hanks’ acting experience.
Finally, I discovered his voice acting abilities. After 17 years of life, how had I not known that Tom Hanks was Woody from Toy Story? I recognized the voice, and knew it was iconic, but never fully connected the dots. Hanks ended up filming 4 different Toy Story Pixar movies, as well a variety of short films with the franchise. He had grown close to his co-star, Tim Allen, who voiced Buzz Lightyear. In the 2022 prequel, Lightyear, Chris Evans replaced Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz, and Hanks was not happy about it.
Satisfied, I wrapped up my evaluation. When thinking back, I wonder if many of the things I found surprising were surprising to others. Being born in 2005 limits my knowledge of older actors; plus, I don’t watch much television. But, I was still astounded to see all of the roles that I didn’t even realize Hanks was in. I will make sure to keep an eye out for him in the future, I know I will see him again.
When I started this investigation, the mention of Tom Hanks made me think of his popular roles as American soldiers. His roles of Forrest Gump from Forrest Gump and Captain Miller from Saving Private Ryan were the first to spring into my mind. Both movies are American classics, filling the audience’s hearts with patriotism while also providing the depth of war. These roles were iconic, but I had to dig deeper. This is only the surface.
Next, I stumbled upon his more serious roles during the 90’s and into the 2000’s. Popular works such as Cast Away and Da Vinci Code surprised me. Is that my Mr. America? These works are also iconic, but also old enough for me to not remember them to be starring Tom Hanks. This influence of dramatic acting made me realize the range of Hanks’ acting experience.
Finally, I discovered his voice acting abilities. After 17 years of life, how had I not known that Tom Hanks was Woody from Toy Story? I recognized the voice, and knew it was iconic, but never fully connected the dots. Hanks ended up filming 4 different Toy Story Pixar movies, as well a variety of short films with the franchise. He had grown close to his co-star, Tim Allen, who voiced Buzz Lightyear. In the 2022 prequel, Lightyear, Chris Evans replaced Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz, and Hanks was not happy about it.
Satisfied, I wrapped up my evaluation. When thinking back, I wonder if many of the things I found surprising were surprising to others. Being born in 2005 limits my knowledge of older actors; plus, I don’t watch much television. But, I was still astounded to see all of the roles that I didn’t even realize Hanks was in. I will make sure to keep an eye out for him in the future, I know I will see him again.