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Is Tom Hanks considered one of the best actors of all time?
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:10 pm
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:10 pm
I didn't want to derail the back to back Oscars thread with this question, but I consider him one of the best actors of his generation. Though, how does his name hold up with the Brandos, Bogarts, Eastwoods, Jimmy Stewart and others?
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:13 pm to Froman
No. I actually like his work in comedy a lot more than his dramatic roles.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:14 pm to tigerfan84
quote:
I'd say top 10 all time
Easily.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:15 pm to Bench McElroy
quote:
No. I actually like his work in comedy a lot more than his dramatic roles.
Totally agree! I tell everyone Bachelor Party was his greatest role. I've reenacted the scene of him playing tennis literally every time I've played tennis in my life. Which is commitment, considering how far I have to go to collect the ball.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:15 pm to Wally Sparks
Easily.
He's very underrated comedy wise.
He's very underrated comedy wise.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:16 pm to Froman
quote:
Brandos, Bogarts, Eastwoods, Jimmy Stewart
Clint never won an acting Oscar.
Brando was both a great actor AND overrated.
Any reason you left out Spencer Tracy? Richard Burton? Lawrence Olivier?
But, to answer your question, I think Hanks run of Philadelphia, Gump and Apollo 13 is one of the best by a lead actor of all time.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:17 pm to Froman
On here?
1. DDL
2. JGL
The rest are mere Extras
1. DDL
2. JGL
The rest are mere Extras
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:18 pm to Froman
he had an outstanding run for about 8-10 years or so from roughly 1993-2001ish, but hasn't really been great ever since. he's definitely one of the best considering the handful of big hits that he did have in a short period of time, but overall I wouldn't rank him that high.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:20 pm to Weebie
quote:
he had an outstanding run for about 8-10 years or so from roughly 1993-2001ish, but hasn't really been great ever since. he's definitely one of the best considering the handful of big hits that he did have in a short period of time, but overall I wouldn't rank him that high.
Well said. He had a good run, but not enough sustained success (for good reason, he made a choice not to pursue every role).
He's good at what he does, and he'a a great movie star, but not a great actor.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:20 pm to Weebie
(no message)
This post was edited on 2/23/13 at 7:21 pm
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:23 pm to Freauxzen
quote:
Well said. He had a good run, but not enough sustained success (for good reason, he made a choice not to pursue every role).
He's good at what he does, and he'a a great movie star, but not a great actor.
Hanks is a great actor, but it was limited. he hasn't been great in at least 10 years.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:24 pm to Froman
As much as I like Tom Hanks I'm gonna have to say no. He's definitely one of the greatest actors of 1990s but his box office and awards appeal kind of fell off after 2002. From 1989-2002 there was no denying he was the king of Hollywood.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:26 pm to Weebie
quote:
Hanks is a great actor, but it was limited.
Which is precisely why I say a "Great movie star." I'm going to start using that term instead when we have these discussions. Hanks is far from a great actor.
Being limited, to me, immediately limits the "greatness" one can achieve in acting. He has name recognition and people see his movies because he's "Tom Hanks," because he doesn't really hide who he is outside of few roles. And that's ok. Nothing wrong with that.
But he doesn't hide. You don't go see Tom Hanks movies because you want to see how he gets lost in a role (a la Brando, Hoffman, De Niro, modern day DDL or Oldman). You see and enjoy Tom Hanks because he's comfortable to watch. Because he's familiar.
This post was edited on 2/23/13 at 7:28 pm
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:32 pm to OWLFAN86
I feel like I'd say he's automatic to be included in top-50 or 25 spots, but I'd really have to think about him in a top-15, 10, or 5 spot. There's just been so many amazing people over the years. I'm not saying he's not, I'd just really have to think about it and I don't feel like it tonight 

This post was edited on 2/23/13 at 7:34 pm
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:35 pm to Freauxzen
Freaux, you're conveying my thoughts pretty good.
He's a borderline great actor but he has kind of fallen off in the past decade IMO. It's not a knock against him. Maybe age has something to do with that or maybe it's personal circumstances in his life. But he still deserves his overall body of work to be looked at and it's worthy of greatness.
He's a borderline great actor but he has kind of fallen off in the past decade IMO. It's not a knock against him. Maybe age has something to do with that or maybe it's personal circumstances in his life. But he still deserves his overall body of work to be looked at and it's worthy of greatness.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:36 pm to OWLFAN86
the first five posts of this thread felt like the single greatest mind frick i've ever experienced.
Posted on 2/23/13 at 7:36 pm to Freauxzen
quote:
Which is precisely why I say a "Great movie star." I'm going to start using that term instead when we have these discussions. Hanks is far from a great actor.
Being limited, to me, immediately limits the "greatness" one can achieve in acting. He has name recognition and people see his movies because he's "Tom Hanks," because he doesn't really hide who he is outside of few roles. And that's ok. Nothing wrong with that.
But he doesn't hide. You don't go see Tom Hanks movies because you want to see how he gets lost in a role (a la Brando, Hoffman, De Niro, modern day DDL or Oldman). You see and enjoy Tom Hanks because he's comfortable to watch. Because he's familiar.
well said
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