Tom Hanks Thinks His Philadelphia Role Wouldn't be Played by Straight Actor if Made Today | SiriusXM

Tom Hanks discusses playing a gay man with AIDS in the movie 'Philadelphia,' and why he thinks the role wouldn't be played by a straight actor if it was made today.
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Tom Hanks Thinks His Philadelphia Role Wouldn't be Played by Straight Actor if Made Today | SiriusXM
• Tom Hanks Thinks His P...

[@DrMark1981]

I’m old enough to have hated Tom Hanks when he was only known for stupid comedy films, then watch him transform into one of the greatest actors of a generation. Amazing.

[@Davebee]

Bachelor party was amazing.

[@stevenmanchester2104]

@@Davebee and it actually made a profit

[@johna.7362]

@@DavebeeEspecially that topless scene, yeah, you know the one. 🍈🍈

[@twittertwice]

Tom’s early movies were not stupid because you didn’t like them. How the hell do you think you are?

[@twittertwice]

Who the hell… You made me so mad!

[@susanedwards4620]

One of my favorite all time movies. He played the role with such grace and strength.

[@ryanrose1565]

Tom hanks was amazing in this role. He absolutly deserved the academy award. R.rose.

[@kencook7580]

No-one else could have played this part so accurately and with so much empathy and compassion, than him. God bless him and all the angels that we lost at that time. If you did not live through that time and fear, then you would not know. Amen.

[@jamesdrynan]

Good point. In 1970, Mart Crowley's stage play, Boys in the Band, was made into a movie directed by William Friedkin. Five of the gay actors in the film died of AIDS.

[@Billy-bc8pk]

The lifestyle is known for having an average lifespan that's a third shorter than het guys.

[@trao1938]

The reason why Tom Hanks was so effective in the role, was because at that time America felt a great kinship toward him. Hanks was like the funny, lovable older brother, or uncle you wished you had. And for a lot of us gay men, that' description fits who we were to our families. But a lot of us still weren't 'out' then, because the climate was very 'don't ask, don't tell." ."Still, we were so terrified of catching the virus, and frightened about how our families would treat us. I can't overstate how much good came from Hanks taking on this part. His familiar face really helped the families of gay men to personalize this story for themselves. Having a major movie star play this role back then ABSOLUTELY gave us validation-. especially because most actors in 1992 - straight or gay never would have gone near it.

[@swampghost72]

Tom Hanks has been my favorite actor since boosom buddies, splash , and bachelor party.He was always great in those comedy pictures and then he blew us away by showing he could do much more than comedy.And that's why he remains my favorite till this day.

[@laurad2442]

Don't forget Money Pit!

[@careyfreeman5056]

Big is what did it for him. A bit of both. Comedy, but some amazing acting.

[@ChiTownOriginator]

I saw the movie when I was a teenage film buff and on a Tom Hanks kick. Only watched it once, but I can vividly recall the scene where he shows his lesions. Unbelievable acting. Great movie.

[@elwood62]

They literally make their living pretending to be something they are not. But when it comes to sexual orientation you’re not allowed to pretend anymore.

[@stevenoliver3747]

That's not true. Bradley Cooper was nominated for an Oscar this year for Maestro playing a closeted gay music conductor. Cate Blanchett was nominated for an Oscar last year after also playing a gay music conductor in Tar. She was even nominated for another Oscar playing a lesbian in the movie Carol. Sean Penn won an Oscar for best male actor after playing gay politician Harvey Milk. Heath ledger was nominated for an Oscar for playing a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain. I remember the debate surrounding Tom Hanks in Philadelphia and it had nothing to do with him being straight. It partly had to do with gay characters only ever being played by straight actors while gay actors had to stay in the closet if they wanted a career in Hollywood. Not to mention that anybody who was out were told it wouldn't be believable for them to play a straight character so were never offered or considered for any straight roles. Another, somewhat bigger, reason though is that it also had to do with straight actors who would want to play 'gay' roles but refuse to kiss or film love scenes with actors of the same sex. Such as Tom in Philadelphia or Will Smith in 6 degrees. People chased playing gay characters because it was Oscar bait and seen as being brave and dedicated to the craft yet refused to 'pretend' when it came to acts in the films that were integral to what makes people gay in the first place, expressing who they loved. To add insult to injury, gay people were also told that nobody wanted to see that shiite on the screen and it's better if we just kept it in the bedroom.

[@irishpoetnewyork]

an actor plays a role regardless of his preferences. you don't get a serial killer to play a serial killer in a movie.

[@Swampsong117]

So Meryl Streep would be a good choice to play Stalin?

[@NatalieHopley]

Great movie 👍👍👍👍to Tom Hanks and Denzil Washington

[@kristiedaniels9325]

This movie was so unbelievably powerful even today

[@rosemimi973]

I think your orientation shouldn’t matter when you are an actor who plays a role as long as it is done with respect and dignity. Tom Hanks played a fantastic Andy and the Oscar for that role was well deserved. I also liked the performance of Antonio Banderas and Denzel Washington was exquisite as well.

[@ron9576]

I TOTALLY agree with you! And that's why they call it "acting." I'm gay myself and was a stage actor for over 30 years. During my entire career, I portrayed only two gay characters. All the others were straight. And no one ever told me that because I was gay I should not be cast in straight roles. Therefore, why should someone who is straight be questioned about playing a gay role? And why should it automatically go to a gay actor? Personally, I don't give a damn what someone's sexual orientation is. All I care about is, "do I believe them?" That's all that matters.

[@Hexon66]

@@ron9576 "And no one ever told me that because I was gay I should not be cast in straight roles." But you realize that people *_have_* been told that right? (And more importantly, decision makers have *felt* that way). Actors have gone to great lengths to hide their sexuality. I'm not trying to deny your experience, but there is context to consider as well. Yes, any good actor can act, but given that society isn't mature enough for *any* non-traditional casting (look at how they cried over a Black mermaid), why not take advantage of the inherent knowledge that comes from a shared experience with the character?

[@teacupalice]

And it worked well because they were believable, I never questioned it because you genuinely thought they were gay and that they loved each other, Antonio banderas and Tom Hanks had such great chemistry with each other.

[@Billy-bc8pk]

@@Hexon66 What a ridiculous thing -- they didn't cry over a black mermaid, they were rightfully up in arms over a purposeful race-swapping. If they made their own original black mermaid that wasn't aping an already existing property, no one would care. But here's where the entire argument you just made gets slathered in the uncomely oil of hypocrisy, when I say that someone like Brian Bosworth could have been cast as Blade or Jonathan Rys Meyers as Black Panther and you would have been totally fine with that, right?

[@emilrobyn4216]

it wasn't Judy Garlands birthday, it was her funeral

[@johnkaufman5474]

Philadelphia allowed people to understand that gay folks were just like everyone else; vulnerable, human and prone to the tragedy of a disease then sweeping the country. At the time, we had a president who refused to say the word "AIDS." Jonathan Demme's brave, groundbreaking film did much to aid understanding and empathy.

[@MrJayehawk]

At what point did we start to forget that actors are intended to act? The whole point is essentially to convincingly pretend to be something you are not. That's acting.

[@Wckdlttlsnnrs28]

He seems like such a good guy

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Yes, don't listen to the conspiracy nut jobs.

[@scotthockenberry3085]

We didn’t worry about such things as who portrayed whom back then. It was a very powerful film. Huge for the time and I’m glad he made it.

[@carch7243]

Today they would not choose a straight man for the role even if he wasn't the best actor. That would be a shame, because it is such a demanding character. This is why Tom Hanks was chosen. It was because he was the best. That should be the basis for anything, hiring, and promoting, etc.

[@seanwebb605]

They wouldn't even if he wasn't the best actor? What?

[@jeanettegillings7202]

It’s a shame…. A gay actor can play a straight role so why can’t a straight actor play a gay role? Isn’t that what ‘acting’ is?

[@trishalennex4630]

@@seanwebb605sometimes it still happens to be fair but also In my opinion it’s mainly because of the way Hollywood (and really just people) have created LGBTQ people throughout the years and especially in media and in Hollywood, but also I think part of it is straight people don’t know why it’s like to be gay or have had to pretend to be gay but gay people obviously know and many have had to pretend to be straight for years just to survive

[@Hexon66]

I agree with the premise, but there's a missing part that needs to be addressed. For decades gay actors have *not* been chosen, or gay actors have had to hide their sexuality to be chosen, even if they were *the best* . And ask yourself this... how do you know there wasn't a better actor than Tom Hanks, who *was* gay, for the role? We will never know, very probably because he never had the chance to be chosen.

[@twittertwice]

Do you have any idea of the extraordinary actors who are gay? Silly question on your part

[@johanriekert9571]

I don’t think anyone else could ever play that role Gay or straight, it was written for Tom, or feels like it

[@lexkanyima2195]

Maybe Neil Patrick Harris or Daniel Radcliffe

[@quarantinebored1427]

The role was also offered to Michael Keaton but he turned it down to make the movie “my life”. He could’ve pulled it off but it worked out for the best.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@quarantinebored1427 you sure ?

[@quarantinebored1427]

@@lexkanyima2195 about Keaton offering the role or him doing it? This is according to IMDb but I think he could’ve pulled it off but Tom hanks was great

[@KennyEvansUK]

Tom is a hero, period.

[@dafcorleone]

One of my all time fav movies!

[@pars5027]

When are actors/actresses going to apologize for every role they played? After all, they are pretending to be someone they are not.

[@grahamhunter9565]

Great actors tell a story with such conviction, that you forget who they are. Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers or playing the lead in Saving Private Ryan. You watch a Tom Hanks movie because you know it will be a story well told.

[@albert0F]

It always amazes me when people think actors dont need to have high iq, or that they arent smart. Sure some actors can get away with it, but its just like playing a guitar, or piano, or painting, it requires a super healthy brain to do it successfully. Tom Hanks has a healthy brain.

[@BKPrice]

It's because people don't understand anymore that acting is pretending to be someone you are not.

[@Queenalika85]

Incredible Movie

[@patricklynch6771]

Gentleman's Agreement was done in 1947, but I will let it pass since it's a Tom Hanks interview!!

[@MrCancertropic]

There is the hope when putting something on film that it is forced to live forever through sheer power and resonance. On very rare occasions a film or more specifically a scene can hit all the right notes. The writing, lighting, cinematography, score, acting, and direction and the gravity of what is conveyed all converge perfectly and we get a moment in time where the gods make a heaven of the earth captured forever. That is The Opera Scene in Philadelphia. It’s arguably the greatest art that cinema has ever captured. It’s the greatest few minutes Hanks has ever done. It’s the greatest acting without lines ever done (Denzel). You take two of the greatest actors away from this scene, and no one remembers it I argue. There are no Oscars for the film I argue. And, most importantly, a film that did so much in tearing down walls of misunderstanding and bias and dehumanizing would have lost much of that impact I argue. That said, if representation is what you want, go for it. But replacing Hanks or Washington because of representation would have been a horrible disservice in hindsight. Ironically, Philadelphia should be viewed as a shining example of allowing meritocracy to triumph. No one else regardless of “ism” does for that scene what Tom and Denzel did.

[@Edithwirtz-bu5yu]

L❤️CE Tom Hanks-I think this movie was so Awesome & Amazing-Great movie about the profound & incalculable effects of aids. Awesome performances & great Amazing, Fantabulous Oscar acceptance speech from Tom Hanks for Best Actor! I Love this movie!!!

[@kathrynbellerose6216]

Fantastic performance by Tom he brought it right out in the open the horror of aids.

[@Paulitica]

Thats so stupid, precisely the versatility of an actor is to make roles that have nothing to do with their original background. I'm bi and genderfluid and I love Philadelphia movie, it presents LGBT people as we are in real life.

[@yaraviera4444]

Well said his so educated

[@deborahkizer4664]

Great movie. Very controversial. Yes I remember him passing. . 👍🙏💯

[@fredericrusset9138]

Why not ?!

[@sylvialowe8122]

Great movie with a great actor playing a great role!!!!

[@Shadowman820]

They still do that though , call me by your name for instance , both leads are straight as far as we know . Brokeback Mountain as well . Not saying they didn't do a good job but still straight playing gay .

[@kiddozoo]

I'd like to think any role would be played by the person who auditions best. Both Hanks and Banderas were perfect in their roles....

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

To the question, "Do you think that's right?" [4:50], if a demographic aspect of the character is central to the entire movie, an actor who fits that demographic should be cast. If it is an ancillary aspect, then there seems to be more flexibility.

[@chelseaxjaye]

RIP Isaac Kappy 🙏

[@spike16965]

I loved this movie

[@hammersholt]

Gay man can play straight men and straight men can play gay men, as long as they do it credibly. It's called acting for a reason

[@dsashmore02]

Can someone who wasn’t an astronaut play an astronaut? You get into that grey area where actors can only act in roles that they represent. Can a 15 year old play a 13 year old? Acting is pretending. Just like I pretended to be a Jedi when I was 8. Shut up and pretend for money to entertain us.

[@yaraviera4444]

A great movie

[@joaquimnetoneto1301]

O filme não foi rodado consecutivamente. Tudo começou em 18 de janeiro de 1999 antes de parar dois meses depois. As filmagens foram retomadas em 3 de abril de 2000 e terminadas no mês seguinte. Hanks ganhou 50 libras (23 kg) durante a pré-produção, com o objetivo de tornar sua transformação mais dramática.

[@JadMockery]

To act aka be not yourself I don't see it being an issue a straight man playing a gay character aka vice versa example being Barney from how I met your mother played by the fantastic Neil Patrick Harris played a straight male womaniser.

[@Pelamore]

Thanks Tom, hadn't thought of that! So obviously gay men will be barred from playing straight characters? It's about truth right?

[@Pelamore]

Think about it. How delicious is it that he explains a gay man should play his part today after just citing ROCK HUDSON, a gay man who played straight characters his entire career!

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@Pelamore Rock Hudson is more straight

[@janetherron6936]

Philadelphia story with tom hanks

[@jasoncummings7052]

Humans do not have the right to self determine moral values. That right exclusively belongs to the true God, the creator of heaven on earth.

[@ilmelangolo]

Well Tom, it's called ACTING!

[@jmcreek7936]

Omg...he was acting. Today..really?

[@drsvs]

Real men. You know them when you see and hear them. Tom Hanks is one. Jerry Seinfeld is another. Jon Voight, Tom Selleck. Denzel. All real men. Phonies are boring.

[@julianamartins2085]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@zinho910]

Tom Hanks looks like J.J. Simmons on this video!

[@RoelCandaeleARTISTSPAGE]

😘💓

[@KyleCorwith]

That’s ironic for you to say that, Hanks, since it was gay.

[@moedean3342]

Tom Hanks a Bonafide simp

[@kunalsen2123]

Then could Neil Patrick Harris play Barney Stinson today?

[@jameshudson169]

and yet gay actors play straight all day long. not sure it's right.

[@HeideKristofersson]

A PEDO😱

[@Psyclonus7]

Yeah that's a cowardly sentiment. Actors act.

[@bretkindell6887]

sicko !

[@hadara69]

Haha What? Why?! Are you a 'Q anon' loon? Hahaha! OH please say yes! Even if not. What's "sicko" about him OR that role? Is AIDS "Gawd's punishment"? PREACH to me, RW loon! Lol!

[@patrickc3419]

For sure.

[@scotthockenberry3085]

Get some therapy. You see things that aren’t real.

[@BM-qi4ig]

He was just playing himself while playing with himself.

[@hadara69]

Is this a joke? I'm genuinely confused. Is this someting only Steven Crowder fans would call "humor"?

[@johnharvey4life]

Who else thought it said "his pedophilia role" No thanks Hanx!

[@seanwebb605]

No reasonable person thinks that.