By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Tom Hanks became one of Hollywood's beloved actors through an array of likable roles, from "Big" to "Forrest Gump," and now his decorated career has earned him one of the highest honors at the Golden Globes next year.
Hanks will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 5, 2020, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Tuesday. The actor has won praise for a string of compelling characters in movies including "Saving Private Ryan," the "Toy Story" films, and the Golden Globe-winning "Cast Away," for which he lost 55 pounds to play a man stranded on a desert island.
HFPA President Lorenzo Soria said in a statement that Hanks captivated audiences with "rich and playful characters." He said the actor was also a force behind the camera as writer, producer and director.
The DeMille Award is given annually to an "individual who has made an incredible impact on the world of entertainment."
Past recipients include Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, Jodie Foster, Barbra Streisand, Sidney Poitier and Lucille Ball.
Hanks, 63, is a four-time Golden Globe winner who broke through with his role in the 1984 film "Splash," in which he played a man who falls in love with a mermaid. He claimed his first Globe in 1988 for "Big," in which he portrayed a 13-year-old boy whose body turned into a 35-year-old man overnight after making a wish.
The actor won a couple Globes for "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump," two films that earned him Academy Awards. He was also lauded for his directing work in HBO's 2001 miniseries "Band of Brothers," which won an Emmy.
In 2014, Hanks received an award at the Kennedy Center Honors. He also was given a lifetime achievement award by the American Film Institute in 2009.
Hanks will star as Mister Rogers in the biopic "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" in November. His other upcoming projects include the WWII drama "Greyhound," which he wrote; the post-apocalyptic "BIOS"; and the post-Civil War film "News of the World."
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More