Tom Hanks shares the first lesson he learned as a professional actor: “You must”
Tom Hanks is indisputably one of the biggest names in Hollywood. He first became a familiar face in the late 1980s and early 1990s through appearances in some of the most beloved movies of the era, including features such as Big and Forrest Gump. He quickly became a familiar voice, too, taking on the task of voicing the rootinest-tootinest cowboy in the Toy Story films. Now, his presence on-screen almost brings with it a certain comfort and a near guarantee of a great movie.
From Cast Away to Catch Me If You Can, Hanks has spent decades honing his craft in a filmography full of classics, taking home Academy Awards and never-ending audience acclaim as a result. But even Hanks had to start somewhere. Before he became a household name, before he could work with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis and produce his own projects, he had to learn the basics.
Making the jump from amateur to professional actor brings with it both new opportunities and new difficulties. From navigating big-budget sets to working with more seasoned co-stars, it can be a daunting task, but one that is full of worthwhile lessons for actors who are committed to their craft. According to Hanks, there is one lesson, in particular, that should be ingrained into actors, and it’s the first one he ever learned.
Rather than learning about on-set etiquette or taking on performance tips from those around him, a young Hanks picked up on the importance of something much more straightforward when he first transitioned into professional acting: punctuality. It’s a trait that maintains importance across industries, but Hanks believes that it’s particularly integral to acting.
“As an actor,” he once told The Guardian, “I think your job is to show up on time.” Hanks called it “crazy important” and recalled that it was the first lesson he learned as a professional actor. Perhaps he had a particularly bad experience after showing up late early on in his career, but Hanks’ insistence on punctuality seems to stem from a real consideration for the progression of the project and for his coworkers.
“Because, if you don’t, you don’t have the time,” he emphasised, “It’s as simple as that. Before the sun goes down, or just to get it right; to get everybody on the same page, momentum-wise. If you’re late, momentum can be lost.” Filmmaking is already hindered by so many external delays to production, from weather to scheduling, that the medium simply cannot afford for those involved to show up late.
Hanks also seems to understand the impact of his timeliness on those around him. One late arrival may cause a short delay. But, beyond that, the schedule and momentum of the entire day and even the entire production may be affected as a result. When so many people are pouring their money and creativity into a project, it’s a sign of respect to at least show up on time.
While this may not be the lesson most budding professional actors are excited to learn when they first arrive on set, it’s certainly one of the most important. As in any other industry, movie-making works best when collaborators respect one another’s time and look out for one another. If you’re a budding actor looking to follow in Hanks’ footsteps, heed his advice and show up on time.
