Portrait · Dick Thomas Johnson / CC BY-SA 2.5

Tom Hanks

Actor, producer and filmmaker

Born 1956

Tom Hanks is an American actor and film producer born in Concord, California. He developed his craft in repertory theatre with Vincent Dowling, learning backstage work as well as performing Shakespeare. After theatre work in Cleveland, he reached television audiences through Bosom Buddies and moved into leading film comedy with Splash and Big. Philadelphia and Forrest Gump brought consecutive Academy Awards, while Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile and Cast Away expanded his dramatic career. As Woody in the Toy Story films, he became a familiar voice across generations; his Disney roles also include Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks. His television work extends behind the camera: Band of Brothers combined directing, producing and writing, and later producing credits include John Adams, The Pacific and Olive Kitteridge. He wrote and directed That Thing You Do!, bringing his filmmaking experience to a story about a rising band. Larry Crowne also combined acting, directing, writing and producing. His stage career includes Lucky Guy on Broadway in 2013, playing journalist Mike McAlary. He also wrote the screenplay for Greyhound and starred as its naval commander. Away from the screen, he is the author of The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece. His earlier book, Uncommon Type, collects short stories connected by typewriters. Later screen work includes Here, reuniting him with Robert Zemeckis and Robin Wright. He returned as Woody in Toy Story 5. NBC has also announced his return as narrator for the second season of The Americas.

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