By Wonderwall.com Editors
3:30am PDT, Jul 9, 2023
_
Tom Hanks portrayed Harvard University professor Robert Langdon — who sets out to solve the mystery of an ancient secret society — for the first time in 2006's "The Da Vinci Code." For the movie that kicked off a franchise based on author Dan Brown's bestselling books, Tom sported longish hair that many fans likened to a wavy mullet.
MORE: The most impressive on-screen transformations
_
In 2022's "Elvis," Tom Hanks took on the role of Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's legendary manager. For the Baz Luhrmann flick, the actor had to shave his head and undergo hours in the prosthetics chair, resulting in an uncanny resemblance to the historical music figure.
MORE: The best period costumes of all time
_
When it came time to reprise his role as Harvard professor Robert Langdon in "Inferno" — the sequel to "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons" — Tom Hanks stepped back into his old suits as he harnessed his problem-solving skills… but this time, fortunately, there was no mullet!
_
In the 2019 biopic "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," Tom Hanks transformed into beloved cardigan-wearing children's show host Mr. Rogers. The performance earned Tom a well-deserved best actor nod at the 2020 Academy Awards.
_
In one of his most iconic roles, Tom Hanks played Chuck Noland in 2000's "Cast Away." For the part that saw him stuck on a deserted island with a volleyball named Wilson, Tom lost and regained 53 pounds in order to pull off the before-and-after versions of his character. He also had to grow a big beard.
_
In 2016's "Sully," Tom Hanks took on the role — and the look — of real-life hero Chesley Sullenberger, the former U.S. Airways pilot who managed to land his plane in the Hudson River and save the flight's passengers and crew in 2009.
_
Tom Hanks, is that you? In 2012's "Cloud Atlas," Tom played many roles and took on many different looks. He was Dr. Henry Goose, the hotel manager, Dermot Hoggins, Zachry and Issac Sachs — a nuclear engineer, seen here. In order to play him, Tom not only needed a lab coat but a red-haired wig and gold-frame glasses.
_
In "Cloud Atlas," Tom Hanks looked like a completely new man as he played Dermot Hoggins. For this character, Tom was bald with sideburns and an overly groomed goatee. The diamonds in his ears completed his thuggish look.
_
Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of Andrew Beckett in the 1993 film "Philadelphia." Andrew was a lawyer who hid from his law firm that he was homosexual and living with AIDS — and got fired. After he was dismissed, Andrew sued the firm. In order to play the part, Tom had to dye his hair gray and slim down.
_
Tom Hanks played Walt Disney in the 2013 period drama "Saving Mr. Banks." In order to look like Walt, Tom sported a mustache and slicked-back hair that aged him. Like Walt, he also donned suits with pocket squares.
_
Tom Hanks played Professor G.H. Dorr in 2004's "The Ladykillers," and he made the mastermind of a casino heist come to life when he altered his physical appearance for the role. With his hair curled in the middle of his forehead and a goatee, Tom looked like a calculating professor. His look was completed with a beige suit and matching bow tie.
_
In 2002's "Catch Me If You Can," Tom Hanks played Carl Hanratty, the head of the FBI's check fraud division. Tom looked period perfect in the '60s-set flick thanks to a fedora, retro half-frame eyeglasses and a vintage-style suit.
_
"Run, Forrest, run!" In one of his most famous roles, Tom Hanks played the titular hero in the 1994 drama "Forrest Gump." Forrest was a Southern gentleman who served in the U.S. Army — among many other interesting jobs. While he wasn't the most intelligent of men, he was incredibly endearing. In order to play the part, Tom sported a clean-cut look with a military-style buzz cut. His movie wardrobe consisted of plaid shirts and khakis for much of the film.
_
Tom Hanks not only wrote and directed "That Thing You Do!" but portrayed Mr. White in the 1996 movie. Mr. White was a Tone Records A&R representative who made stars of the band The Wonders. To get into character, Tom rocked sunglasses and looked very suave in his black suits.
_
With unkempt hair, a messed-up gray suit and Converse sneakers, a young Tom Hanks looked like a believable bachelor as he played Rick Gassko, an engaged man facing temptation to cheat on his fiancée, in 1984's "Bachelor Party."
_
In the 1998 war drama "Saving Private Ryan," Tom Hanks played Captain John H. Miller. For the role as a rugged U.S. Army officer, Tom sported scruff and a dirtied-up look in the trenches.
_
Tom Hanks starred as hitman Michael Sullivan in the 2002 crime drama "Road to Perdition." His 1930s criminal character came to life with the help of a mustache, a trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat.
_
Tom Hanks played the part of Commander Jim Lovell in 1995's "Apollo 13." For the role, he had short hair and stubble on his face. The detailed suit and headset made him look ready to survive in space.
_
When Tom Hanks played Captain Richard Phillips in the 2013 drama "Captain Phillips," he put on a little bit of weight, but most notably, his face looked different. With a gray goatee and wire-framed glasses, he looked like the real-life Richard. "Captain Phillips" was based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the United States container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates.
_
Tom Hanks was 32 when "The 'Burbs" came out in 1989. For his role as suspicious neighbor Ray Peterson in the comedy-thriller, Tom grew out his big, curly hair.
_
Tom Hanks starred as Joe Banks alongside Meg Ryan in 1990's "Joe Versus the Volcano." Joe worked a clerical job in a factory with a demanding boss and suffered from a "brain cloud." Just one year after his hair was super curly in "The 'Burbs," Tom sported a long and wavy mane for the role of Joe.
_
In order to prepare for the role of baseball coach Jimmy Dugan in 1992's "A League of Their Own," Tom Hanks put on 28 pounds. In 2013, Tom spoke about how he won't be gaining weight for a role again after he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. "I'm 57 and I don't think I'm going to take on any job or go on vacation again and see to it that I can gain 30 pounds," he told The Guardian.
_
In 2007's "Charlie Wilson's War," Tom Hanks played the titular naval officer and former 12-term Democratic U.S. Representative from the 2nd district in Texas. As Charlie opposite Julia Roberts, Tom wore a white tuxedo and a side-slicked hairstyle. When he wasn't dressed up formally, he wore suspenders and ties and looked very conservative.
_
In 2020's World War II-set drama "Greyhound" — which he also wrote — Tom Hanks slipped on a uniform and transformed into U.S. Navy Commander Ernest Krause. While the character was fictitious, the film was actually inspired by true events.
