Tom Hanks Biography

- Tom dislocated his shoulder when he fell through a rotting floor in building in Germany while scouting locations with Steven Spielberg for the TV mini series - 'Band of Brothers'.

- He is a huge Star Treck fan.

- When he worked as a hotel bellboy, Tom carried bags for celebrities such as Cher, Sidney Poiter and Bill Withers.

- Tom is a direct descendant of an uncle of Nancy Hanks, the mother of Abraham Lincoln.

- Tom was originally asked to play the title role in Jerry Maguire in 1996.

- Tom is used to weight changes - he lost 30 pounds for his role in 'Philadelphia', gained 50lbs for his role in 'Cast Away' and cited the help of a nearby ice cream shop for helping gain 30 pounds for his role in 'A League of Their Own'.

- Tom's Oscar acceptance speech for 'Philadelphia' led to the plot of the movie 'In & Out'. Hanks thanked a gay teacher in his speech.