Tom Hanks has played several real-life figures throughout his career, with some performances being better than others. Getting his start in film and television in 1980, Hanks has grown into an American cultural icon and has had the chance to explore a range of genres throughout the years, from romantic comedies to moving biographical dramas. The latter genre is where most of Hanks’ real-life characters appear, including films like The Post and Apollo 13.
Though films like Philadelphia and Catch Me If You Can have connections to real stories, their narratives or Hanks’ characters are only loosely inspired by true events, excluding them from the list. Still, the actor has played a range of notable real-life figures, putting his own spin on well-known icons or introducing audiences to someone they’d never heard of before. Whether he’s playing the manipulative manager of a music legend in Elvis or a famed American astronaut in Apollo 13, Hanks gives his all to every performance, making it easy to see how he’s become a highly celebrated actor.
9
Colonel Tom Parker (Elvis)
Plays Elvis Presley’s Manager
Baz Luhrmann’s critically acclaimed biopic Elvis was both a commercial and critical success. The film chronicles the famous singer’s life, seeing him rise into the beloved icon people know him as today. Elvis also heavily explores the singer’s relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, boldly portrayed by Hanks. The film earned eight Academy Award nominations and grossed more than $288 million worldwide. Critics and audiences were quick to praise Luhrmann’s direction and Austin Butler’s performance as the “King of Rock and Roll.”
However, Hanks’ performance as Tom Parker earned a vastly different response. From Hanks’ contrived accent that Parker’s biographer deemed inaccurate, to heavy prosthetics that were somewhat distracting at times, the actor’s performance was among the more divisive aspects of the film. Still, Hanks’ performance is admirably bold and fits well within the tone of Luhrmann’s film. While it may not be his best portrayal of a real person, it’s certainly not the worst performance in his filmography.
8
Walt Disney (Saving Mr. Banks)
Plays The Film Producer & Entrepreneur
Aside from a few crucial real-life details being altered for the sake of a happy ending, Saving Mr. Banks is an otherwise delightful film elevated by its lead performances. The film tells the story of how Mary Poppins came to be, following the two weeks worth of meetings between Walt Disney (Hanks) and P. L. Travers (Emma Thompson), the author of the Mary Poppins book series. With Hanks as a Disney icon himself, he is comfortable in the role of the famous film producer.
In his performance, Hanks is both charming and powerfully persuasive, embodying all the necessary traits of a distinguished businessman. Putting aside the film’s inevitable alterations to real-life occurrences, the main reason why Hanks’ portrayal of Walt Disney lands near the bottom is that, for many critics and audiences alike, Thompson was the true star of the film. She takes over Saving Mr. Banks, commanding the audience’s attention and providing much depth to the famous writer.
7
Charlie Wilson (Charlie Wilson’s War)
Plays The Famous American Politician
Directed by Mike Nichols and written by Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson’s War is a celebrated biopic that stars Hanks as the тιтular congressman. The film details how Charlie helped the Afghan mujahideen in their fight against the Soviet Union in the 1980s. At the start of the film, it is evident that Hanks, who also co-produced Charlie Wilson’s War, is having a fun time portraying the real-life politician who was known for his extravagant, party-filled lifestyle.
Hanks effortlessly adheres to Sorkin’s witty script, but as Charlie makes a shift in his priorities, Hanks adapts with his performance. For as eccentric of a figure as Charlie may appear to be, the actor is sure to never undermine the weight of his actions. However, like Elvis and Saving Mr. Banks, Hanks is slightly overshadowed by his co-stars, who earned greater critical recognition for their work. This time, it’s by Philip Seymour Hoffman, who portrays Gust Avrakotos.
6
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Sully)
Plays A Pilot & Aviation Safety Expert
Based on Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s autobiography, Highest Duty, Clint Eastwood’s film Sully sees Hanks as the famous pilot. Sully is best known as the captain of US Airways Flight 1549 and for his ability to land the plane on the Hudson River after its engines were damaged. To play an instinctual and courageous person like Sully takes more effort than one might think, but Hanks makes it look easy. Combined with Eastwood’s sharp direction, Hanks’ performance is uniquely understated.
The actor is calm and collected for much of the film, radiating an infectious confidence that is needed to pull off Sully’s real-life feat. Still, even after performing such a heroic act, Sully undergoes a federal investigation as a result of his choice to neglect handbook rules. Sully‘s placement should not indicate the film’s quality, nor Hanks’ ability as an actor. The lower ranking simply allows for greater received films and performances by Hanks to be higher.
5
Fred Rogers (A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood)
Played TV Host Known As Mister Rogers
Inspired by a late ’90s Esquire article, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is more than a typical biopic as it chooses to explore Fred Rogers’ greatest qualities through his interactions with cynical journalist Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys). In the film, Lloyd, to his greatest displeasure, is ᴀssigned with writing a profile on Fred (Hanks) and is determined to expose the TV host’s friendly persona as being fraudulent. Known best as Mister Rogers, Fred is an iconic figure in pop culture with large shoes to fill.
It’s difficult to think of anyone more fit for the role than Hanks, and moving the character into a supporting role as opposed to the lead was the best way to get the most out of Fred’s story. Hanks’ performance is quiet and calm, and never once does it feel like a forced impersonation. Audiences, both those familiar with Mister Rogers and those introduced to him through A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, get a better grasp of the real-life icon through his patience and impact with Lloyd.
4
Ben Bradlee (The Post)
Plays The Executive Editor Of The Washington Post
Previously depicted by Jason Robards in an Oscar-winning performance in All the President’s Men, Hanks tries his hand at portraying famous journalist and executive editor Ben Bradlee in Steven Spielberg’s The Post. The film details how a group of journalists at The Washington Post were able to publish the Pentagon Papers, which contained information regarding the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. Hanks is supported by a strong cast made up of heavy hitters like Meryl Streep, Bradley Whitford, Sarah Paulson, and Bob Odenkirk.
Still, Hanks shines brightly in the film and makes great use of his characteristic sincerity and commitment, seen plenty of times throughout his filmography. Hanks’ take on the famed journalist is noticeably sharp and persistent in his duty to do the right thing. The Post‘s commentary on American politics during the ’70s allows for Hanks’ Ben Bradlee to be quite introspective, questioning his own actions and acknowledging his mistakes.
3
James B. Donovan (Bridge Of Spies)
Plays The American Lawyer
Bridge of Spies delivers another compelling collaboration between Hanks and Steven Spielberg, with the former playing American lawyer James B. Donovan. The film details the release of CIA pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) in exchange for convicted Soviet KGB spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), whom Donovan had represented in court. Bridge of Spies is a realistic spy movie in the way it gives a proper examination of its characters’ motives and doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of negotiations.
Hanks excels in the fascinating character study, as Donovan is determined to get Abel a fair trial. It’s in this that audiences find their hero. No matter what outside ridicule is thrown in his direction, Donovan does his best to prevent it from getting in his way. Spielberg’s direction, the Coen brothers’ writing, Rylance’s supporting performance, and Hanks’ absorbing on-screen presence are an ideal amalgamation and have earned much critical acclaim throughout the years.
2
Jim Lovell (Apollo 13)
Plays American Astronaut Who Commanded The Apollo 13 Lunar Mission
One of Hanks’ best films from the ’90s features a notable real-life portrayal by the actor. The film recalls the famous Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970, where three astronauts setting out on the mission experienced a life-threatening onboard explosion that prompted NASA’s flight controllers to abandon the mission and return the crew safely to Earth. The Ron Howard film is effectively anchored by its leading performances, in addition to its efforts to be technically authentic. In the film, Hanks plays Commander Jim Lovell and is accompanied by Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton.
Bacon and Paxton play crucial roles in the film and their work shouldn’t be overlooked, but it’s Hanks who’s tasked with leading the crew, as an actor and as Lovell, and he does so with ease. Hanks’ on-screen heroism is subtle as the astronaut remains calm under pressure and acts quickly to save his crew from further danger. Jim Lovell isn’t among Hanks’ splashier characters, making it easy for many to unfairly disregard the actor’s powerful performance.
1
Richard Phillips (Captain Phillips)
Plays The Former Captain Of Cargo Ship Maersk Alabama
Though the final moments of Captain Phillips are some of the best in Hanks’ filmography, it’s his performance throughout the entire film that lands his eponymous role at the top. The film tells the true story of Captain Richard Phillips, who served as the captain of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama when it was hijacked by Somali pirates. Phillips was subsequently taken hostage and struggled to survive. The film builds up a great amount of tension and was a critical and commercial success following its release.
Captain Phillips omits certain real-life details and much of Hanks’ Hollywood persona transforms Phillips into a classic movie hero that others who knew him in real life say he was far from. Still, Hanks deftly captures the sheer fear felt by Phillips in his days as a hostage, infecting audiences with a similar fear that has them tense until the very end. Hanks’ final scene in the film sees the actor at his most vulnerable as his built-up shock and trauma are released with shaky tears of relief.
