Happy Birthday Tom Hanks!

“I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin' around accidental-like on a breeze. But I...I think maybe it's both." --Forrest Gump

July 9, 2012

Dear Tom,

I hope you enjoyed a Happy Birthday today with your family and loved ones.  I enjoy your films and admire your amazing acting talent. 

I’d like to tell you a story.  You see, many years ago my daughter worked on your film, “Charlie Wilson’s War.” She was only there one day on the set.  On that day she saw you come to visit.  She was surprised at your presence.  You simply walked onto the set wearing jeans and a baseball cap, relatively unnoticed.  You are one of the most talented, respected, well-paid actors in Hollywood, and there you were, walking around by yourself like an ordinary guy. 

During one of the breaks you approached some of the little children working that day. (The scene was being filmed at a park.)  My daughter overheard your conversation.  You were asking the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Many said they wanted to be actors.  You told them, “That’s great, work hard!”  My daughter said she could tell you were a nice person, very real, very normal…who just happens to have a brilliant talent for acting.

Now Tom, let me share another story with you.  It’s about a young actress who, although also well-known, considered herself entitled to be treated quite differently than you.  Lindsay Lohan. That same year, my daughter worked on the film "Georgia Rule."  Every day Ms. Lohan was late to work.  Many times she would arrive even 3 hours late.  This made all the crew and other actors have to wait and wait. It was quite frustrating.  Each Ms. Lohan would arrive in a dark SUV, with dark-tinted windows.  The SUV would speed onto the set, and like a well-rehearsed routine, first Ms. Lohan's hairdresser would get out.  Next, her makeup artist. Next her assistant.  Next her body guard.  And lastly, donned in dark sunglasses, Ms. Lohan would finally exit the SUV. 

Considering how many films you’ve been in, Tom, and the phenomenal talent you possess, one would expect you to come onto a movie set with an entourage in a blackened SUV too!  I’m glad you don’t.

You have said:  “I love what I do for a living, it's the greatest job in the world, but you have to survive an awful lot of attention that you don't truly deserve and you have to live up to your professional responsibilities and I'm always trying to balance that with what is really important."

Thank you for the many films my family and I have enjoyed through the years. We’ve loved you from “Bosom Buddies” all the way to “Toy Story 3.”

Happy 56th Birthday Tom Hanks!

Regards, Mrs Love