Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks on bench in Forrest Gump (www.oscars.org/.../ 2003/03.10.07.html)

Tom Hanks has always been one of my favorite actors. Not because he's rich and famous, but because he inspires me by taking on so many different roles in his movies. He's also dedicated, determined and diverse.

Hanks didn't always know what he wanted to do. He was a shy child and was involved in several plays, but had no drive or determination. But with a couple acting classes and meeting the Great Lakes Theater Festival head, Vincent Dowling, he discovered his dream was to be an actor. The first part of his career was full of ups and downs but he finally caught a break in 1988 with his movie Big. But before this his acting career was full of flops.

His serious acting roles were finally noticed when he starred in Philadelphia where he stars as a gay lawyer who files charges for discrimination. Another hit and also my favorite movie is Forrest Gump where Hanks plays a simple young man caught up in some of the major events in US history. The hits started rolling then. Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, You’ve Got Mail, The Green Mile, Band of Brothers, The Lady Killers, and his most recent controversial film The Da Vinci Code are some of his best. Hanks’ mother's quote in Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get,” greatly describes the differentiation between the roles in all of these films.

Hanks has is also the youngest actor to be awarded the American Institute's Life Achievement Award. He a dedicated environmentalist, driving a hybrid car and a devoted member of the Nature Conservancy.

Tom Hanks ability to be a great actor and achieve so many different dimensions in films inspires me to be different in everyday life. His dedicated lifestyle, diverse acting roles and determined attitude toward everything he does makes him a true hero to me.