Tom Hanks has had an extensive acting career in Hollywood, which elevated him to the status of America’s cultural icon. For performances in critically acclaimed films Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, Hanks won two consecutive Academy Awards in the Best Actor category. The Saving Private Ryan actor is also an all-rounder assuming the roles of director, producer, and screenwriter for various movies and TV series.
One of the best actors in Hollywood currently, the Cast Away actor shared the source of his acting inspiration from Hollywood. Interestingly, it’s one of the legendary actors who appeared in The Godfather movie, but it’s not Robert De Niro or Al Pacino.
Tom Hanks Revealed His Acting Inspiration From Hollywood
During an interview with Film Comment, Tom Hanks was asked if there was any particular actor who influenced him. The Da Vinci Code actor revealed that his inspiration was Robert Duvall. Further praising the legendary actor, Hanks noted that Duvall was not a unique-looking actor but made an impact in films with his subtle acting.
The Green Mile actor cited the example of one of Duvall’s great performances as Tom Hagen in The Godfather movies. According to Hanks, The Judge actor keeps the whole movie together. The Captain Phillips actor shared:
“Though he’s not particularly a chameleon, it took me a long time to recognize him from one movie to another. He’s not unique looking—doesn’t put a hump in his back or do much more than walk a little different. Yet this man keeps entire movies together, as in The Godfather pictures.”
Robert Duvall also won a Best Actor Oscar like his “protégé” for his leading role in the 1983 film, Tender Mercies. He also played Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in the 1992 American television film Stalin.
Tom Hanks Was Impressed By Robert Duvall’s Debut Performance
Tom Hanks further revealed that he was a fan of Robert Duvall’s acting skills in his debut film To Kill a Mockingbird. This cinematic adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel is one of the best book-to-film adaptations ever. Duvall played the introverted character Arthur “Boo” Radley. Hanks commented on the Apocalypse Now actor’s performance:
“As Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, he stood behind a door and communicated something worse than your worst nightmares. He made you feel sorry for him, too. To me, this is a film actor: a man who conveys so much without saying anything.”
Undoubtedly, Duvall’s influence has propelled the Sully actor into greatness. Tom Hanks is set to make his next appearance in the 2024 film Here, reuniting with his Forrest Gump co-star Robin Wright and director Robert Zemeckis.
Source: Film Comment
