Tom Hanks' 10 Best Performances
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Written by: Doug Kelker
In June 2002, Thomas J. Hanks received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award, arguably an actor's greatest honor. The 45-year-old actor is also the youngest recipient of said award. TH has been nominated for five Academy Awards since his film debut in 1980. His two Oscar victories are extra-incredible, because Hanks is only the second actor in Hollywood history to have won two consecutive Academy Awards (Spencer Tracy being the first). TH's worth goes far beyond his acting talent. He has an off-screen reputation as a down-to-Earth nice guy. The following 10 films showcase the career of a true Hollywood rarity -- a star that deserves his or her fame. The films are arranged chronologically. |
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| 1. |
Big (1988)
Penny Marshall's endearing fantasy about a boy's wish to be "big" coming true is a favorite of TH's fans. After being kicked out of his parents' house, Josh Baskin moves to the city and assumes adult responsibilities soon after. Despite having a child's dream job and finding romance, Josh wants to be a kid again and go back to his family. |
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| 2. |
Turner & Hooch (1989)
This is a fun family film that blends humor and suspense. Detective Scott Turner is investigating a murder, and the key witness is the victim's dog, Hooch. Turner, who is not a dog lover, boards Hooch in his house as an alternative to putting the dog to sleep. Dog owners can relate to the property damage, drool, and Turner's eventual emotional attachment to Hooch. |
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| 3. |
A League Of Their Own (1992)
As a washed-up ballplayer-turned-coach, Hanks has never been funnier than in this baseball comedy. Jimmy Dugan gets sauced before games and passes out during the action, takes 60-second leaks, and scratches Down Under for innings at a time. However, Dugan eventually learns to admire the female ballplayers' dedication. |
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| 4. |
Philadelphia (1993)
After doing comedies for 10-plus years, TH gets serious in Philadelphia. He plays the role of an intelligent, talented, and gay attorney who sues his former boss after being terminated. TH earned his first Academy Award by portraying Beckett as a dignified human being instead of as a stereotypical homosexual male. |
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| 5. |
Forrest Gump (1994)
The fact that this moving drama beat out The Shawshank Redemption in the Best Picture race shows how wonderful Forrest Gump is. In a changing world, Gump never compromises himself or forgets his momma's wisdom. Forrest Gump shows that extraordinary things happen to good people, and that is one reason it is this writer's favorite film. |
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| 6. |
Apollo 13 (1995)
Playing real-life astronaut Jim Lovell, Hanks keeps cool when the spaceship malfunctions in outer space. Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind) directed this suspenseful drama, which was nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award. The success of Apollo 13 inspired the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. |
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| 7. |
Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (1995, 1999)
Another infrequent occurrence in Hollywood is a family film that entertains the entire family; and these two animated features do the job well. TH lends his voice as Sheriff Woody, who initially fights the hot new toy Buzz Lightyear for their mutual owner's attention. In the arguably superior sequel, a toy collector steals Woody, and the latter's wacky friends venture out to rescue him. . | |
| 8. |
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The combination of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks is nothing short of extraordinary in the best war film of the past 20 years. The battle sequences are well executed, and the film itself has something relevant to say about the value of human life. TH is perfect as the captain who maintains control of his soldiers while secretly dealing with his own fear. |
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| 9. |
The Green Mile (1999)
Very few three-hour films make the time feel half as long; The Green Mile is one of them. Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) is a Death Row guard who witnesses several miracles performed by one of the inmates. This particular inmate causes Edgecomb to question his station in life. Overall, this is another fine project by the creators of The Shawshank Redemption. |
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| 10. |
Cast Away (2000)
Frankly, TH's performance is the only factor that makes this overlong solitaire version of The Lord of the Flies worth watching. When Chuck Noland talks to Wilson, he acts like he's really conversing with another human. When Noland cries out to the volleyball, the viewer feels sorry for him, as if Noland is watching his best friend die in his arms. (Click here for a full review of this film.) Don't forget about Bachelor Party (crude sexual humor, need I say more?), Splash (TH's feature film debut as a man who falls in love with a mermaid), and Sleepless In Seattle (Hanks plays a grieving widower in this popular romantic comedy). Want more Hanks? Check out Film Frat's Tom Hanks poster store. Did we neglect your favorite Tom Hanks Performance? Drop us a line and tell us which selections you agreed with, and which classic Hanks performances you think we missed. Don't forget to check out our other actor top 10 lists, the Top 10 Deniro Films, the Top 10 Eastwood Films, and the Top 10 Pacino Films. You can purchase any of our Top 10 Hanks movies by clicking on the corresponding film image above. |
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