A "Cast Away" promotional billboard with Tom Hanks holding Wilson the volleyball June 22, 2001 in Niles, IL.

Tom Hanks is a name that resonates with people worldwide. He is one of the few actors who have achieved global recognition and admiration for his work. Tom is known for his iconic roles. Tom Hanks has played such varied roles, from a simple man stranded on a deserted island to a toy cowboy. His dedication to his craft and his ability to transform into every character he plays has earned him a special place in the hearts of millions of people.

Tom Hanks began his acting career in the late 1970s with minor TV appearances. It wasn’t until the mid-80s that he got his big break. His first major film role came in the 1984 film Splash, which was one of my favorite movies growing up. In Splash he played a man who falls in love with a mermaid. The film was a huge commercial success and made him a leading actor in Hollywood.

Then in the 90s Tom Hanks became a legend when he starred in Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, and Saving Private Ryan. Forrest Gump, in particular, showcased Hanks’s ability to transform himself into different characters and do it well. The film went on to win six Academy Awards, including the Best Actor award for Hanks.

How about when he played Captain John Miller in Saving Private Ryan? Get the tissues. Directed by Steven Spielberg, it told the story of a rescue mission during World War II.  That film went on to win five Academy Awards.

In the decades that followed, Hanks continued to work on several high-profile films

Cast Away, The Terminal, and Catch Me If You Can. In more recent years, he has also worked on films such as Sully and Captain Phillips, among others. Each of these roles helped cement his status as one of the best actors of all time. Check out his most iconic roles of all time below and think about doing a Tom Hanks binge this weekend.

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  • 10) Toy Story - ALL OF THEM

  • 9. Apollo 13 (1995)

  • 8. The Green Mile (1999)

  • 7. Turner & Hooch (1989)

  • 6. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

  • 5. Captain Phillips (2013)

  • 4. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

  • 3. Big (1988)

  • 2. Cast Away (2000)

  • 1. Forrest Gump (1994)