With a career spanning decades, Tom Hanks has embodied more unforgettable characters than most actors have roles.

This episode brings back Tom’s inspiring conversation with Guy Raz from 2023, where he shares his journey through film—from early breakout roles to timeless classics—and his process of breathing life into each character.

You’ll also learn how Tom deals with nerves and self-consciousness on set; what Joe DiMaggio and Paul Newman told him about performance anxiety; and why he believes ‘bringing an idea’ is the secret to success.

Links from the show:

Tom and Peter Scolari in Bosom Buddies
Tom and Daryl Hannah in Splash
The cross-country running scene from Forrest Gump
The execution scene from The Green Mile
Tom as Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in Sullly: plane crash in the Hudson scene
Tom as Colonel Tom Parker in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis
The real Colonel Tom Parker in an interview on ABC
Trailer for A Man Called Otto

For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Jason Sudeikis to Anna Kendrick to Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.

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