Tom Hanks, adored by countless fans worldwide for his amiable personality and iconic on-screen roles, holds a hallowed place as an American cultural figure, having graced the entertainment industry for many years. However, long before achieving stardom, Hanks led an unexpectedly ordinary life, complete with odd jobs.
During a 2019 conversation with Jimmy Kimmel, Hanks shared insights into one of his early jobs, which involved some challenges while working as a vendor at a famous sports venue.
Tom Hanks Got Robbed While Working At Oracle Arena
Tom Hanks shared with Kimmel that one of his earliest gigs was at the Oracle Arena. Hanks recounted how he ventured into selling peanuts and soda, with expectations akin to those depicted in TV shows featuring young individuals trying to make a name for themselves.
Hanks told Jimmy Kimmel:
“Well, first of all, I got robbed twice. Note to self: Hide those wads of cash. Don’t be walking with a wad of cash in your pocket. Then, I came across professional vendors, who did not like the fact kids were there.”
He went on to confess that he faced harassment from certain fellow vendors, as the older workers were not pleased about splitting their earnings with a young boy. Hanks vividly remembered one particularly discourteous colleague, exclaiming, “That guy yelled at me!“
Hanks cultivated a robust work ethic from a remarkably young age, taking on a range of unconventional gigs to make some extra cash. One of these pursuits began when he was a mere 14 years old.
Tom Hanks Didn’t Believe In Acting Classes
During a 2018 roundtable interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor known for his role in Forrest Gump, unveiled his perspective on acting and the aspect of this profession that caught him off guard.
Hanks said (via The Hollywood Reporter):
“I think that it’s still just as much as it was from the first time I figured it out that people took it seriously. I mean when I was at whatever level you’re at. When I was in high school and I found out this was a class you could take. Are you kidding me? As opposed to drafting or sociology or accounting? You get credit for this? Well first of all that’s \the greatest racket that I’ve heard of”
During his formative years, when a youthful Tom Hanks first encountered the captivating realm of acting, he found himself perplexed by the reverence and lofty status it held among people. It left him astounded to contemplate how something as ostensibly playful as make-believe could be regarded with such gravity in this world.
This earned him the highest regard from peers in the industry, signifying the commencement of an extraordinary journey. The actor openly acknowledges that acting remains as captivating and full of surprises as it was in his early days, and he holds deep gratitude for every chance he has been granted.
Source: Jimmy Kimmel, The Hollywood Reporter
