Career
Jim Hanks' first lead role was as Jeeter Buford in the film Buford's Beach Bunnies. Wishing to earn the role based upon his own abilities, he had auditioned as "Jim Matthews", using just his first and a modification of his middle name. While production noted his "resemblance to Tom Hanks", he won the role based upon his own comedic and acting skills and his true relationship to Tom was not revealed until paperwork was completed.
In 1995 A Current Affair revealed that Tom Hanks had created the mannerisms for the character of Forrest Gump in the film of the same name based upon the simpleton mannerisms earlier created by Jim for the role of Jeeter in 1993, including Forrest's "now-famous jerky run". Jim's physical resemblance to Tom allowed him to act as body-double in scenes in Forrest Gump, and due to his vocal similarity, Jim often substitutes for Tom in the role of Sheriff Woody in various Toy Story video games and spin-offs.
Hanks has been the voice of Geoffrey the Giraffe in the Toys "R" Us commercials since 2001, and is also the voice of Rudy from the Red Robin Gourmet Burgers commercials.
He guest-starred in an episode of Scrubs, appearing as a "Dr. Turner", partnered with a doctor called "Hooch" (in reference to one of his brother's films, Turner & Hooch).
In the 1996 film adaptation of O. Henry's The Ransom of Red Chief, Jim Hanks played the role of the mailman who was the town gossip.
Hanks has also appeared on stage, including playing "Lennie Small" in Theatrical Arts Internationals production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.
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Famous quotes containing the word career:
“The 19-year-old Diana ... decided to make her career that of wife. Today that can be a very, very iffy line of work.... And what sometimes happens to the women who pursue it is the best argument imaginable for teaching girls that they should always be able to take care of themselves.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)
“I seemed intent on making it as difficult for myself as possible to pursue my “male” career goal. I not only procrastinated endlessly, submitting my medical school application at the very last minute, but continued to crave a conventional female role even as I moved ahead with my “male” pursuits.”
—Margaret S. Mahler (1897–1985)
“Work-family conflicts—the trade-offs of your money or your life, your job or your child—would not be forced upon women with such sanguine disregard if men experienced the same career stalls caused by the-buck-stops-here responsibility for children.”
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (20th century)