TOM HANKS

AN ACTOR FOR ALL SEASONS ...

A consummate professional who has played goodies, baddies and romantic leads in equal measure.

He’s now 64 and with as much experience behind the camera as in front of it and if you mention his name to most people, they will have an opinion about his best role.

And whether that’s as a businessman who falls in love with a mermaid, a widower whose son is determined to find him a wife or a plane crash survivor marooned on a desert island, Hanks never disappoints.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, he had no acting experience in college. He was born in California and grew up in a fractured family, moving around a great deal after his parents’ divorce and making his home with a succession of step-families.

He auditioned for a community theatre play and kickstarted his acting career in Cleveland. After a one-shot guest appearance on popular TV series Happy Days in 1974, he impressed fellow actor Ron Howard so much that when Howard – by then a producer - was casting the film Splash in 1983, he asked Hanks to read for the role of the main character’s wisecracking brother.

This role eventually went to John Candy. Hanks, however, was offered the lead role instead and this unlikely tale of romance between a mermaid and a human subsequently became a box-office smash.

It wasn’t all plain-sailing after this, however, as he had several flops before enjoying moderate success with comedy Dragnet in 1987. It was fantasy-comedy Big in 1988, though, which really established him as a major Hollywood talent, earning him his first Academy Award nomination as Best Actor and a Golden Globe.

Hanks has never been afraid to challenge himself or to play flawed characters. The 1992 film A League of Their Own saw him as a washed-up baseball legend managing women’s baseball team.

Always self-effacing, he has been the major critic of his own performances. In an interview with magazine Vanity Fair, he observed that his work “has become less pretentiously fake and over the top.”

The more “modern era” of his work began first with Sleepless in Seattle in 1993 and then moved on with Philadelphia the same year - two very different roles.

In the latter, Hanks played against type in one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS, homosexuality and homophobia. For this moving performance, he won the Academy award for Best Actor.

The following year, he followed Philadelphia with one of the most successful films of his career, Forrest Gump. This grossed more than $600 million at the box-office worldwide.

He won his second Best actor Academy Award for Forrest Gump, becoming only the second actor to win consecutive Best Actor awards.

Hanks himself remarked: “When I read the script for Gump, I saw it as one of those kind of grand, hopeful movies that the audience can go to and feel some hope for their lot and their position in life. I got that from the movies a hundred million times when I was a kid. I still do.”

His next acting role could not have been more different when he became astronaut and commander Jim Lovell in the docudrama Apollo 13 in 1995, reuniting with producer Ron Howard.

The movie earned nine Academy Award nominations but, never resting on his laurels, the following year came another departure for Hanks – as the voice of Sheriff Woody in Disney/Pixar’s computeranimated film Toy Story.

A year later, Hanks made his directing debut with the musical comedy That Thing You Do! About the rise and fall of a 1960s pop group where he also played a music producer.

Even more memorable – and very different – film roles followed. In 1999 he won an Academy Award nomination for Saving Private Ryan and an Oscar nomination in 2001 for Cast Away, for which he first gained weight and then lost 55 lbs for the role.

In 2002, he joined Leonardo di Caprio for Catch Me If You Can and in 2004 another change of direction saw him star as a refugee in The Terminal

In 2008, there were more plaudits and a Golden Globe nomination for Charlie Wilson’s War and another in 2014 for Captain Phillips. During 2020, he was again Oscarnominated for Best Actor in a Supporting role for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood in which he plays a television icon.

Interspersed among Hanks’ award-winning nominations have been many other impressive films which have won praise like Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies, The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.

Perhaps less well-known is Hanks’ enviable track record as a producer for film and TV. Film-wise, he was producer on My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Mamma Mia Here We Go Again among many and his TV work goes across a broad section of successful miniseries, documentaries and music videos. He has also produced stage plays.

Universally seen as a likable, mild-mannered and good-natured personality, Hanks has been married to actress Rita Wilson since 1988 and they have two children. He also has two children with ex-wife Samantha Lewes and two grand-daughters.

Odd facts you might not know about him include being a huge fan of Doctor Who and enjoying collecting typewriters. He has more than 80 and his interest generated the idea for a successful iPad app called Hanx Writer which simulates the sound and feel of antique typewriters.

Hanks is certainly an honest man. He once said: “I do not want to admit to the world that I can be a bad person. It is just that I don’t want anyone to have false expectations.

“Movie-making is a harsh, volatile business and unless you can be ruthless too, there’s a good chance that you are going to disappear off the scene pretty quickly. So appearances can be deceptive, particularly in Hollywood.”

But, as long as Tom Hanks keeps making films with his Midas touch, his fans will just keep on loving him.

HAVE A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT WITH EQUITY RELEASE

By Alison Martin, The Later Life Lending Network

I have worked in financial services for many years but it still surprises me that there is still the wrong perception that you will lose your home or it will no longer belong to you if you do equity release. The fact is you retain full ownership of the property and are free to live in it for life. Alternatively, if you choose, you can move home and transfer the lifetime mortgage to a new property as long as that property meets the lender’s criteria.

Clients can use the tax-free cash released for any purpose, the most common reasons being; pay off a mortgage or other debt, carry out home improvements, help out family, move home, care in the home or just supplement retirement income. As we live longer, many people are finding it difficult to ‘just survive’ and having considered and discounted alternatives such as downsizing, they find that releasing tax free cash from the value of their property can give them a long-term solution to their financial difficulty and allow them to stay in their home.

The amount you can borrow is based on your age and the value of your property (not on your income). You need to be at least 55 years old and have a minimum property value of £70,000. There are no monthly repayments and interest will roll up over your lifetime. However, many lifetime mortgages offer the option to pay all or some of the interest and some will allow you to pay off the interest and the capital. The debt is repayable from the proceeds of the sale of your home after death or when the last borrower enters long term care. All plans we recommend are covered by Equity Release Council Rules, i.e. you would never leave a debt to beneficiaries and you can stay in your home for life or transfer the mortgage to a new property if required. You can choose to release one lump sum or take smaller amounts as and when you require them.

I have been working in financial services since 1995, specialising as an independent equity release adviser since 2008 and during that time I have seen the number of products multiply adding more flexible

features and lower interest rates to benefit the customer. With increasing house prices, competitive fixed interest rates for life and increased popularity, perhaps now is an ideal time to take a look at how a lifetime mortgage could benefit you.

As an experienced equity release specialist and member of the Equity Release Council, I love advising my clients and getting to know their needs and aspirations so that I can make a recommendation to them. Also, as a mother and grandmother myself, I believe I can empathise with most circumstances. I’m a great believer in equity release and know from experience that it can transform lives.

I offer a free no obligation consultation by telephone or zoom/skype/facetime but will also offer face to face meetings when it’s possible. I will provide you with all the information you need including the costs involved so that you can make an informed decision.

Alison you were like a friend dropping in. You really put me at ease as I had done nothing like this before and didn’t know how to go about it. My family told me to go ahead with it. After I lost my husband in October, I needed some extra cash for home improvements. It really was straightforward and very soon completed with no fuss so I am really pleased with the outcome – all thanks to you. Mrs Ramage Stockport

I recommend Alison to anybody wishing to apply for equity release. I feel very lucky that she acted on my behalf. She is a lovely person who put me at my ease right away. She was so helpful, she explained every step of the process fully so I was quite sure of what I was doing. I can’t thank her enough. Mrs Mahon Liverpool

Prompt action – always kept appointments and kept us informed by telephone at every stage. Alison was very knowledgeable and gave us all the detail required for Equity Release. We were given time to process the detail and did not feel forced into a quick decision. Mr and Mrs Hall Warrington

Ring me on 01254 397936 or 07866 965441 or email me at alison.martin@thelaterlifelendingnetwork.co.uk to arrange a meeting or just to have a chat about equity release.

Unlock the value of your home and enjoy the retirement you’ve always dreamed of Unlock the value of your home and enjoy the retirement you’ve always dreamed of Unlock the value of your home and enjoy the retirement you’ve always dreamed of

As a homeowner, your property is probably your biggest asset, but have you ever As a homeowner, your property is probably your biggest asset, but have you ever considered releasing some of the tax-free cash tied up in it? Best of all, you can use the cash As a homeowner, your property is probably your biggest asset, but have you ever considered releasing some of the tax-free cash tied up in it? Best of all, you can use the lump sum however you wish. considered releasing some of the tax-free cash tied up in it? Best of all, you can use the cash cash lump sum however you wish. lump sum however you wish. If you’re a UK homeowner aged 55 or over, with a property value of at least £70,000, then a lifetime If you’re a UK homeowner aged 55 or over, with a property value of at least £70,000, then a lifetime mortgage could be right for you. mortgage could be right for you. If you’re a UK homeowner aged 55 or over, with a property value of at least £70,000, then a lifetime mortgage could be right for you.

Arrange a no obligation appointment today. CallArrange a no obligation appointment today. Call Arrange a no obligation appointment today. CallArrange a no obligation appointment today. Call Alison Martin on 07866 965441 or 01254 397936 or email me at alison.martin@thelaterlifelendingnetwork.co.uk. www.lendingforlaterlife.com www.thelaterlifelendingnetwork.co.uk/your-advisers/#north-west This is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks, please ask for a personalised This is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks, please ask for a personalised illustration. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or This is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks, please ask for a personalised illustration. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice. illustration. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice.you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice. <Insert firm name> is an Appointed Representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales no. <Insert firm name> is an Appointed Representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales no. <Companies House Number> A fee may be charged for equity release advice. The exact amount will depend on your circumstances, but we estimate this will be £XXX on completion. The Later Life Lending Network is a trading style of TRM Financial Ltd an Appointed Representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd which <Companies House Number> A fee may be charged for equity release advice. The exact amount will depend on your circumstances, but we estimate this will be £XXX on completion. <Insert firm name> is an Appointed Representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales no. <Companies House Number> A fee may be charged for equity release advice. The exact amount will depend on your circumstances, but we estimate this will be £XXX on completion.is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority registered in England and Wales no 09832887. Registered Address: 70 St John’s Close, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0NH. A fee may be charged for equity release advice, the exact amount will depend on your circumstances but we estimate this will be £995 on completion.