Tom Hanks, the acclaimed actor and filmmaker, has achieved legendary status with his iconic performances in both comedy and drama. However, some fascinating aspects of his life remain lesser known and may truly surprise you. One such revelation is his recent graduation from Harvard University, where he was bestowed with an honorary degree.
He now holds a doctorate degree.
Hanks, 66, graced the stage at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he delivered a commencement speech to the graduating students. During the event, the esteemed Ivy League institution bestowed upon the actor an honorary doctorate of arts. In a lighthearted manner, Hanks playfully remarked that he had received the degree “without having done a lick of work, without having spent any time in class, without once walking into that library.”
With a touch of humor, the actor quipped to the graduates, “I don’t know much about Latin, I have no real passion for enzymes, and global public policy is something I scan in the newspaper just before I do the Wordle,” Addressing the audience at Harvard Yard’s Tercentenary Theatre, Hanks encouraged the students to rise against the apathy that plagues a society worn down by arduous challenges.
The actor was chosen as commencement speaker.
In March of 2023, Harvard announced Hanks as its chosen commencement speaker. The university president expressed in a statement that the actor’s impact on the national culture and his ability to shed light on previously unexplored stories and histories were significant factors in his selection.
The renowned actor stated to the graduating class that a choice presents itself daily, every year, and for every graduating cohort. He conveyed that this choice applies to all adults, who must decide among three categories of Americans: those who fully embrace liberty and freedom for all, those who consciously reject it, or those who exhibit indifference. “Only the first do the work of creating a more perfect union, a nation indivisible. The others get in the way,” Hanks elaborated.
Moreover, Hanks remarked during his speech, which contained allusions to Superman and other superheroes, that indifference can transform citizens into laborers bound by tyrants who prohibit the expression of art, dialogue, and books.
When the actor visited the university, Harvard presented him with a Harvard-branded volleyball, reminiscent of his role in the 2000 film Cast Away. To add to the celebration, members of the school’s theatrical group showcased a performance highlighting the actor’s remarkable contributions to the world of cinema before his commencement address.
When he was 14, he had a summer job where he sold hot dogs and peanuts.
Hanks worked at the stands in a ballpark selling hot dogs, sodas, and peanuts to Oakland A’s fans when he was only 14. So you have a better image in your mind, here is a picture of Hanks in high school. However, his experience wasn’t as pleasant as he thought. He imagined it “would be like in a TV show where everyone helps out the young kid trying to make it, kind of thing.” But to his surprise, it turned out differently. “First of all, I got robbed twice. Note to self: Hide those wads of cash. Don’t be walking with a wad of cash sticking out of your pocket,” revealed Hanks.
He also said that the adult vendors weren’t very friendly. “I came across professional vendors who did not like the fact kids were there. I’m 14 years old, and a guy, probably in his late fifties, is yelling at me, ’Hey, kid, that was my sale!’”
Hanks has paid for some Forrest Gump scenes out of pocket.
Hanks paid for at least 2 Forrest Gump scenes after the studio didn’t want to put money down to heighten the budget. One of those scenes was the famous run across America that you can see in this article.
The director, Robert Zemeckis, said, “You and I are going to split that amount, and we’re going to give it back to Paramount. We’ll give you the money back, but you guys [Paramount] are going to have to share the profits a little bit more. The studio agreed and said, ‘Fabulous, great. OK.’”
“Tom Hanks Day” is a thing.
In 2004, Tom Hanks Day was just another April Fools’ joke. But it turned out to be much more than that. It became an international, charitable event supported by Tom Hanks himself. Each year there are big gatherings that take place in Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Cleveland, Toronto, and South Africa to celebrate this special day.
The event attendees get free raffle tickets, and the winner receives signed movies, Wilson volleyballs, and posters. Tom Hanks Day benefits Lifeline Energy, and in 2023, the profits will go to Esila, a campaign that promotes education for girls in Kenya.
He loves typewriters and collects them.
Tom Hanks has a collection of 250 typewriters, and he usually travels with at least 2 of them, saying, “I use them like cuff links!” In the documentary he starred in, California Typewriter, he said, “I try to foster a community of typewriting people.”
He even sends some of his fans his typewriters to communicate through them and helps some of them deal with their personal issues. One fan admitted, “I can’t stop staring at all of this. When a gesture is worth a thousand words...and this man really left me speechless.”
He supports meat free Monday.
Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, encourage people to join the Meat Free Monday movement in honor of the organization’s 10th anniversary. The initiative, launched in 2009, aims to promote less meat consumption by following a plant-based diet at least one day a week.
Hanks emphasized the positive impact on the environment and animals. They encouraged non-vegans or vegetarians to try skipping meat on Mondays as a simple and easy way to contribute. “Doing without meat is good for the planet and the animals we share it with. It’s nice to do with less meat for those who aren’t full-fledged vegans or vegetarians, no meat on Monday, it’s actually a simple and easy thing to do. Let’s do it.”
And while Hollywood couples keep breaking up and divorcing one by one, Hanks has been happily married to his wife, Rita Wilson, for 35 years. It seems that the actor has some secret rules for a happy marriage.
