He won two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor for starring as a gay lawyer suffering from AIDS in Philadelphia (1993) and the title character in Forrest Gump (1994). Hanks made his breakthrough with leading roles in a series of comedy films which received positive media attention, such as Splash (1984), Bachelor Party (1984), Big (1988) and A League of Their Own (1992). Hanks's films have grossed more than $4.9 billion in North America and more than $9.96 billion worldwide, making him the fourth-highest-grossing actor in North America. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon.
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker.
