The shelves in Tom Hanks’ home are already overflowing with awards he’s received for a string of unforgettable acting performances in films such as the 1993 gay rights drama Philadelphia and if an award is ever handed out for nicest guy in show business, Hanks would win by a landslide. Still the veteran entertainer, now sporting a head of silver hair (for his role as heroic Captain Sully in an upcoming movie), proved to be as gracious as ever when he accepted Outfest’s Trailblazer Award at the Legacy Awards in Los Angeles last week. Presented by pal and costar Aaron Eckhart, Hanks cracked that it was appropriate the bash was “held in a church because I am now going to preach to the choir.” The 59-year-old actor, a longtime LGBT rights ally, went on to deliver a memorable, often-topical, speech that often had the audience roaring with laughter.
The event was hosted by comic Whitney Cummings, who made a wisecrack earlier in the evening that cast Hanks’ famous role in the 2000 hit Castaway through a queer filter.
“Tom Hanks has made numerous contributions to LGBT cinema over the years,” Cummings shared. “In Castaway, he transitioned into a woman: he starved himself, he screamed a lot and he had an intimate relationship with an inanimate object.”
Filmmaker Lisa Cholodenko, director of acclaimed queer-themed dramas such as The Kids Are All Right and High Art, was also honored with the Visionary award.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Watch Hanks accept his honor below.
CWM85
Besides Philadelphia which was more about Aids than gay rights what has he done? I’m a fan of his but not sure why he is getting this award. Is he an ally, supported glb charities?
Kieran
Tom Hanks certainly encapsulates boring, mediocre and mundane like nobody else in Hollywoodland.
Brian
What has Tom Hanks ever done for gay rights? If pandering is doing something, well at least he’s done pandering.
He’s a Hollywood celebrity who’s made a lot of money making movies that pander to conservative Christians, such as Forrest Gump.
Kieran
These people just love handing out meaningless “awards” to show biz friends at gala dinners don’t they?
kernowcraig
I think Tom Hanks is a decent guy, who’s proved repeatedly that his a huge advocate for gay rights. Maybe you should stop your bitching for people who are supporters and save it for those that try to hold those rights back.
Avery Alvarez
Tom Hanks seems like a great guy and I certainly appreciate his acting, but as others have said, they give these awards to everyone.
Didn’t Justin Timberlake and Jessica Beal recently get one? What have they done?
Alistair Wiseman
The liberal Nobel Peace Prize Committee gave their award to President Obama, who was in office a total of 11 days when the nominations were made.
The liberal Hollywood elite are constantly giving each other awards; there is even an “awards season” for all of their “important” work.
Someone once said, “The Significant Are Rarely Famous And The Famous Are Rarely Significant.”