Key Takeaways:
– Despite remarkable acting, Tom Hanks' performance in Cast Away didn't receive an Oscar nomination.
– Hanks was not shocked by this snub, revealing his understanding of how the Academy functions.
– The actor nearly lost his life to a severe infection caused by a cut sustained while filming.
Introduction
Hollywood icon Tom Hanks, known for portraying ordinary men juggling unusual circumstances, has wowed the film aficionados numerous times throughout his illustrious career. Hanks bagged two back-to-back Oscars for his roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump and gathered abundant accolades for other acts. But surprisingly, one of his widely acclaimed performances in Cast Away failed to woo the Academy.
The Cast Away Snub
Tom Hanks was cast as Charles, a Fed-Ex employee who survives a plane crash, only to find himself marooned on an isolated island. His extraordinary portrayal of an ordinary man's struggle for survival won millions of hearts and immense critical praise. Prominent media personality Oprah Winfrey expressed her shock during an interview regarding Hanks' Oscar snub for this role, but the actor himself did not seam to be surprised.
In the said interview, the nonchalant Hanks stated, “I know how the Academy Awards works: It's a card game, and I'm in the toss-up category.” The actor shared that he enjoys his work and it's the love for acting that keeps him going.
The Misadventure On-Set
The much-loved combination of Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis, the brains behind the Oscar-winning Forrest Gump, collaborated for Cast Away. Unfortunate events unfolded on the set when Hanks landed in the hospital due to a severe infection following a minor cut while filming.
The actor has recounted the risky incident in an interview with BBC Radio 1. Hanks said, “[Cast Away] put me in the hospital. I was there for three days with something that almost killed me. I got an infection from a cut and it was eating its way through my leg…I went to the doctor who had to put me in the hospital. We had to halt the shooting for three weeks for my skin to heal.”
The profound commitment of Hanks for his role was evident from this episode. However, the Oscar that year went to Russell Crowe for his performance in Gladiator.
Cast Away is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
Conclusion
There's no denying the caliber of Tom Hanks as an actor. He has portrayed a multitude of varied characters, each time leaving the audience awestruck with his performance. The Oscars may overlook his performance in Cast Away, but his commitment and dedication towards the craft keep him at the apex of admiration. Despite the events on-set, Hanks' passion for acting remains unscathed; he truly is one of the finest actors Hollywood has to offer.
