One of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and the latest honorary citizen of Greece, Tom Hanks spoke to Greek Reporter about how he feels to be officially Greek!
The 2020 Golden Globes will be a ceremony to remember for Tom Hanks, since the beloved Hollywood star received the prestigious Cecil B. deMille Award on Sunday evening at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Right after accepting the award, Hanks was excited to mention the fact that he’s now an honorary citizen of Greece, raising some… crucial questions about his new citizenship status!
Replying to Greek Reporter‘s question about how he feels being an honorary citizen of the country, Hanks joked that he has questions about it.
”Number one, do I have to serve in the army? As long as I don’t have to serve in the army, I’m no good anyway, I’ve got bad knees and I’m an old man,” Hanks noted with good humor.
”Do I have to pay taxes?” was Hanks’ second question, something that comes to everyone’s mind when talking about the responsibilities of a Greek citizen!’s
”Can I just pay cash and avoid all that stuff?” Hanks asked Greek Reporter’s Anastasios Papapostolou, who laughingly replied ”I don’t know about that!”
The famous American actor noted that it is a great honor becoming a citizen of a country he has loved for so many decades now.
”I’ve been Hellenic now for the better part of 32 years,” Hanks said, referring to the long journey of his life after marrying second wife Rita Wilson, who is of Greek descent on her mother Dorothea’s side.
”Greece is a haven,” he declared.
”I’ve been around the world, I’ve been in the most beautiful places in the world; none of them tops Greece!” Hanks gushed, showing his unabashed love for the country.
The beloved actor also mentioned the elements of Greece he likes the most. ”The land, the sky, the water, it’s good for the soul, it’s a healing place!” he said.
Hanks explained that he sees the country as a healing place ”Particularly if you get into that fabulous Greek schedule of sleeping until noon, staying up until 3 o’clock in the morning and arguing in the taverna ’till 3 AM!”
”Just the best life one can get!” Hanks declared emphatically.
Sunday night was particularly special for Hanks, just a few days after he learned that he became Greece’s latest honorary citizen.
His Cecil B. deMille Award is an unmatched honor for an actor, as it recognizes an artist’s lifetime contribution to the world of entertainment.
Tom Hanks is now among personalities such as Walt Disney, John Wayne, Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, Clint Eastwood, and Meryl Streep as the recipients of this award.
Hanks has been working in Hollywood for forty years now, offering some amazing moments to his audiences around the world.
His performances in films including “Big”, “Forrest Gump”, “Saving Private Ryan” and “Cast Away” will remain unforgettable for millions of fans.
He has also produced films, including “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, which he helped bring to the big screen alongside his Greek-American wife Rita Wilson.
Last year, Hanks appeared in the critically-acclaimed film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” based on the life of Mr. Rogers, and also returned to voice his famous character Woody in “Toy Story 4”.
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