Desert Island Discs Tom Hanks on loneliness
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Sep 26, 2025 Tom Hanks opens up about his turbulent childhood, shaped by his parents' divorce and frequent relocations. He shares his journey of confronting loneliness and finding self-identity through theater. Hanks reveals how marriage and fatherhood became crucial in combating feelings of isolation. He discusses the hard work behind the scenes as he juggled family responsibilities and financial struggles. His insights emphasize resilience, as he navigated early hardships to find stability and meaning in life.
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Solitary Theatre Visits
- Tom Hanks sought vocabulary for the feelings rattling in his head and started going to theatre by himself.
- He used solitary theatre visits to understand and name his loneliness.
Loneliness As A Creative Lens
- Tom Hanks realised that great plays are often about loneliness after Vincent Dowling mentioned Chekhov.
- That observation became a defining lens for Hanks's interest in acting and the roles he pursued.
Early Parenthood As Anchor
- Hanks says marrying young and having children quelled his loneliness and imposed practical rules.
- He credits early parenthood with steering him away from self-destructive behavior.