6 Tom Hanks Facts You Probably Never Knew

Tom Hanks has had such an illustrious career in the filmmaking industry that up-and-comers would want for themselves. His journey as a comedic actor started in the ’80s with small screens movies like Bosom Buddies, then noteworthy features in Hollywood hits, including Splash and Big. Perhaps, we could attribute Hanks’ outstanding successes over the years to versatility as he also outperformed in dramatic roles.

The award-winning California native has won the Golden Globe four times and has two Oscars. In 2019, he portrayed America’s favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers, in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Hanks, who also voiced Woody in Toy Story, has a demeanor that endeared him to the hearts of fans worldwide. Here are six interesting facts you’d be surprised to know!

1. Tom Hanks Is Related to President Abraham Lincoln

Tom Hanks went the extra mile to prove his relationship with Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, and Mr. Rogers. In 2019, researchers at Ancestry.com confirmed that he shared some DNA with Mr. Rogers.

Coincidentally, Hanks narrated the 2013 historical drama Killing Lincoln made by National Geographic. The actor is a third cousin to the former President and connected to Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. According to Hanks, John Hanks was his great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather and Lincoln’s great-great-grandfather.

2. Tom Hanks Sold Peanuts as a Hotel Bellman

Tom Hanks already hung around fame long before he became famous. The young college boy constantly met with and offered his services to celebrities who lodged at the hotel he was working. The star described his bellhop job at the Hilton hotels as the greatest because he interacted with sports and entertainment stars when he carried their bags. He once carried Cher’s bags when she carried Gregg Allman.

Hanks also sold concessions, including peanuts and sodas, as a side hustle at Oakland A’s games when he was a teenager. The Forrest Gump star didn’t get the best treatment, though, as he was robbed twice and disliked by other vendors.

3. Tom Hanks Funded a Scene in Forrest Gump

For an undisclosed reason, Paramount Pictures decided they wouldn’t pay for the scene where Forrest ran across the country. Tom Hanks felt it needed to be included and partnered with Zemeckis, the movie director. While speaking on In Depth With Graham Bensinger, Hanks revealed that they split the bill in half and offered the money to Paramount and had to give them a part of the profits.

Luckily for him, the studio agreed the movie was a box office hit. Hanks’ deal turned out to be a profitable investment as he got about $65 million in profits. It was a win-win for the American as he also won an Oscar for Forrest Gump.

4. Tom Hanks Owns Over 250 Typewriters

We’re sure you’ve heard about art and watch collectors, but what do you know about a typewriter collector? The 2017 documentary California Typewriter revealed that Hanks had about 250 typewriters, and 90 percent of the lot worked just fine. An indication that the Greyhound star didn’t just collect these devices; he cared for them and ensured they were in excellent working conditions.

In an interview with NPR, Tom Hanks disclosed that his love affair with typewriters started when his friend gifted him one of those dazzling devices. The typewriter, as Hanks discovered, was the perfect tool to help translate his thoughts into words. In 2017, the movie star wrote a collection of short stories titled Uncommon Type.

5. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Got COVID-19 First

In response to speculations circulated online by fake reporters, Daniel Radcliffe, the main character in Harry Potter, came out to dispel the rumors that he had the coronavirus. Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were the first Hollywood celebrities to come down with COVID.

The couple revealed on their social media accounts on March 11, 2020, that they tested positive for Covid in Australia on the set of an untitled Baz Luhrmann film. Hanks also disclosed that the illness came with a lot of discomfort, body, aches, and fatigue.

6. International Tom Hanks’ Day Is Celebrated in April

Every celebrity actor can boast of loving fans, but Tom Hanks’ fanbase adores him. A group of Western Michigan University students even got together on April 2, 2004, to honor the movie star and dedicated the closest Saturday to April 1 as International Tom Hanks’ day.

These students would wear specially-made T-shirts and hang out all day, drinks in hand, to watch a Hanks movie marathon. The inspiring thing about this special day is that even when the founder, Kevin Turk, moved to Chicago after college, the following never stopped growing. With the start of every year, more people from around the world join the community to celebrate Hanks. 

With such an extraordinary life and career, it would be a shame to not celebrate this star after all!