Tom Hanks names the quintessential “number one” movie star
American actor Tom Hanks is easily one of Hollywood’s most recognisable stars. He lent himself to some of the most beloved movies of the 1980s, ‘90s and beyond, such as Big, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Toy Story and The Polar Express, becoming an icon of the silver screen.
Hanks landed his first film role in the 1980s movie He Knows You’re Alone before rising to prominence with a leading performance in Splash four years later. It didn’t take long for the charismatic actor to become one of the industry’s biggest stars, and soon he was racking up award nominations, earning himself two Oscars in the process.
By the 1990s, Hanks had transformed into an actor of profound resonance. His double Oscars for Philadelphia in 1993 and Forrest Gump just a year later were more than just accolades—they were proof of his capacity to tell human stories that resonate across generations. Philadelphia challenged audiences to confront the AIDS epidemic with empathy, while Forrest Gump turned his everyman persona into an emotional odyssey that blurred the line between naivety and wisdom.
In an industry often criticised for rewarding ego over substance, Hanks is frequently described by his collaborators as unwaveringly committed and refreshingly humble—a rare combination in such a cut-throat business. His performances reflect an instinctive understanding of humanity’s complexity, embodying the insight of an auteur without the accompanying pretence. Even in blockbusters like Toy Story, Hanks imbues Sheriff Woody with emotional depth, crafting a character that explores friendship, grief, and personal growth in equal measure—but who does he consider the very best?
Who is the “number one” movie star?
Hanks has worked with countless actors during his illustrious career, including plenty of Hollywood royalty. However, there is one actor that Hanks believes to be “the most movie star of all the movie stars that have been movie stars,” calling her “number one”: Bette Davis. Sadly for Hanks, he never got to work with Davis, who died in 1989.
Still, Hanks greatly admires the late Hollywood icon, who starred in movies such as All About Eve, Death on the Nile, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? and Of Human Bondage. She broke through into the mainstream in the 1930s, soon becoming a popular actor known for her often scornful characters.
According to Hanks, who was speaking via Turner Classic Movies, “She had this flinty personality and a very distinctive, imitatable cadence. The intimidative power of her eyes and her countenance is undeniable and impressive and, in fact, intimidating.”
Hanks picked out her role in Jezebel as “the preeminent Bette Davis performance”. Detailing further, Hanks added: “The sheer command of the screen that Bette Davis has in Jezebel is the epitome of a well-founded starring role in a motion picture. I don’t think anyone has ever topped Bette Davis in Jezebel. She is beautiful, she is driven, and you have a preconceived notion of what she wants from every scene before the scene begins. It must have been some supernatural power she had.”
While the two never worked together, Hanks was once lucky enough to meet Davis. The first time he was invited to the Oscars, he was asked to present an award with Bugs Bunny. Later, Hanks found himself seated with Arlene Dahl and a “very frail” Bette Davis. He explained: “She happens to sit in the seat where my wife, Rita, had just been occupying.”
Panicking, Hanks asked Dahl what to do while Rita was still in the bathroom, to which Dahl replied: “Oh kick her [Davis] out, just kick her out, she’ll love it!” Recalling that it was either 1986 or ’87, just a few years before Davis passed away, Hanks then explained how he told Davis, “You are sitting in my girlfriend’s seat, but if anybody can take the place of my girlfriend, it is you.”
In response, Davis exclaimed a loud “Whaaat?! I can’t hear a word you’re saying.”
While Hanks’ joke failed to land, he looks back on his encounter fondly. For him, she is one of Hollywood’s greatest stars. “This was a lady who knew the type of art that she wanted to make. And also, I think she knew that only she could make it.”
