The actor Leonardo DiCaprio called his role model: “A consummate professional”
Known by many for being the father figure of American cinema, Tom Hanks has established himself as one of America’s most beloved actors after playing a host of unique characters from soldiers, pilots and talking toys.
Following a number of breakthrough roles in the 1980s with films like Big, A League of Their Own and Splash, Hanks won his first Academy Award in 1993 for his role in Philadelphia before winning the prestigious award again the following year for Forrest Gump. Since then, he has collaborated with directors like Steven Spielberg, Nora Ephron and Ron Howard, and later also expanded his work to the stage.
Hanks is widely known in Hollywood for being the epitome of ‘the nice guy’, with a unique ability to adapt to both comedic and dramatic roles while always maintaining the same sweet and endearing quality. After working with Hollywood heavyweights such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Willem Dafoe, Tilda Swinton, and Meg Ryan, Hanks’ reputation has continued to precede him, with countless other actors singing his praises. However, one actor in particular has spoken about his work with Hanks and the impact on his own career.
DiCaprio famously starred alongside Hanks in Spielberg’s 2002 film Catch Me If You Can, playing a cunning criminal who evades capture by an FBI agent after an elaborate scheme to swindle people of their money. The film is one of many in which Hanks as collaborated with Spielberg, with the actor also working with him on the likes of Saving Private Ryan, The Terminal and Bridge of Spies.
When asked about working with Hanks, DiCaprio had only the best things to say about him, saying: “That guy… the best, a consummate professional. Tom is very much a role model for me because he is able to just refine what he does. He has such a passion and exuberance for the work. I don’t want to get cynical about what I do; I don’t ever want to lose that spirit. So he was a great example about how to retain all that even when you’re at the upper echelons of this business.”
Catch Me If You Can came after the enormous success of Titanic and Romeo and Juliet, sparking the next stage of DiCaprio’s career and his pursuit of more dramatic roles after playing the leading man in two romantic dramas. DiCaprio then worked with Scorsese on Gangs of New York, which was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.
It seems as though DiCaprio took inspiration from Hanks’ philosophy towards filmmaking, always diversifying his portrayal on screen and maintaining the same level of passion and enthusiasm towards his craft. Both actors are still consistently working today, with Hanks set to star in Robert Zemeckis’s upcoming film that is going into production this year, marking the duo’s fourth collaboration together after working on Cast Away, Forrest Gump and Pinocchio.
Hanks continues to be recognised for his persistent work ethic and sunny optimism, never failing to light up our screens and create iconic characters that have shaped the landscape of film history.
