The one actor Tom Hanks said was out of his league: “I just can’t do that”
Every actor wishes they could be better, and apart from maybe Timothée Chalamet, no actor would ever consider themselves as operating at the top of their game. Improvements can always be made, and even Tom Hanks believes there’s one performer who’ll always remain out of his league.
Plenty of thespians have either been called the best in the world or the greatest of all time, and none of them would admit it. Meryl Streep has admitted that her reputation has become an albatross around her neck, while Marlon Brando, the closest thing there is to a consensus pick, scoffed at the notion of anyone being called the best at anything, never mind him.
What can’t be denied is that Hanks is one of modern cinema’s greats. He’s only the second person in history to win back-to-back Academy Awards for ‘Best Actor’, he’s been nominated six times in total, his trophy cabinet also boasts eight Primetime Emmys and four Golden Globes, and he’s one of Hollywood’s most enduringly beloved figures.
He’s been delivering strong performances in countless genres for well over 40 years, and he’s self-deprecating enough to downplay his achievements, while being savvy enough to know that he’s one of his generation’s top-tier talents. Despite that, he still placed Robert De Niro firmly into the category of “more talented actors” than him, before explaining why.
“Bob’s got this big countenance, this weight of character, that he brings to his roles,” Hanks said. “Try as I might, I just can’t do that. I’m just not imposing in that way.” He’s right that he can’t really do intimidating or foreboding very well, but it’s debatable that he can’t bring a certain weight and heft of a different kind to the roles he plays.
Randomly, “countenance” seems to be one of his favourite words. His thoughts on being ‘America’s Dad’? “No matter who you are, you carry your countenance with you into every single job you do.” His fears of playing against type in Clint Eastwood’s Sully? “You end up becoming this added-up countenance that goes back to every role you ever did.” His favourite thing about Bette Davis? “The intimidative power of her eyes and her countenance is undeniable and impressive.”
Maybe he should put aside his obsession with other people’s countenance, step back, and look at the bigger picture. Few actors have ever been in De Niro’s league, and there’s no shame in that. He’s a permanent part of the all-timer conversation, but Hanks has won the exact same number of Oscars, and his filmography isn’t lacking in a classic or two, either.
You could even make the argument that modern-day Hanks is superior to modern-day De Niro. The former has yet to descend into a parody or caricature of himself, even if he’s not averse to sending up his nice guy image, whereas the latter’s standout turns are becoming fewer and further between amid a sea of mediocrity that finds him frequently not just carrying his baggage into the film, but throwing it at the screen.
There are maybe only a handful of actors who can be called better than Robert De Niro at his peak. Whether or not Hanks is one of them is a matter of personal preference, but it’s hardly embarrassing to see yourself beneath one of the best ever.
