Tom Hanks is one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood, with a career spanning over four decades and two Oscars to his name. He is known for his versatile roles and his dedication to his craft. However, he also faced a near-death experience while filming one of his most iconic movies, Cast Away.
The Deadly Infection
In an interview with BBC in 2009, Hanks revealed that he contracted a serious infection from a cut he got during the production of Cast Away, which was released in 2000. The movie tells the story of Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive who survives a plane crash and gets stranded on a deserted island for years.
Tom Hanks said that he ignored the cut at first, thinking it was just a sore. He continued shooting the movie, which required him to lose a lot of weight and endure harsh conditions. However, he soon realized that the infection was spreading and endangering his life.
“I went to the doctor who took one look and said, ‘I have to put you in the hospital because we have to get this infection out of you before it poisons your blood and you die,’” Hanks recalled.
He added that he was hospitalized for three days and received antibiotics to treat the infection. He said that he was lucky to have survived the ordeal, which could have been fatal if left untreated.
The Impact of Cast Away
Cast Away was a huge success, both critically and commercially. It earned Hanks his fifth Oscar nomination for Best Actor and won him a Golden Globe for the same category. The movie also grossed over $429 million worldwide, making it one of Hanks’ highest-earning films.
The movie is widely regarded as a masterpiece of survival drama and a showcase of Hanks’ acting skills. He carried the film almost entirely by himself, with minimal dialogue and no other human characters for most of the runtime. He also formed a bond with a volleyball named Wilson, which became a pop culture phenomenon.
Tom Hanks said that he was proud of the movie and the challenges he faced while making it. He said that he learned a lot from the experience and appreciated the value of life.
“I think it’s one of the best movies I’ve ever been in,” he said.
The Legacy of Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of the most respected and beloved actors in the industry, with a reputation for being humble, generous, and professional. He has starred in many classic films, such as Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Saving Private Ryan, Toy Story, and The Da Vinci Code.
He has also been involved in humanitarian causes, such as supporting veterans, fighting AIDS, and promoting environmental awareness. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Tom Hanks is still active and busy, with several upcoming projects in the pipeline. He recently starred in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, alongside Scarlett Johansson, and is set to reprise his role as Robert Langdon in the adaptation of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol.
He is also working on a biopic of Elvis Presley, in which he plays the singer’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The film is directed by Baz Luhrmann and is expected to be released in 2025.
Tom Hanks is an inspiration to many aspiring actors and filmmakers, as well as a role model for millions of fans around the world. He is a living legend and a true Hollywood icon.
