Jim Hanks
Encyclopedia
Jim Hanks is an American
film and television actor, and voice-over artist.
, but they were not raised together. After their parents Amos and Janet Hanks divorced in 1961, Jim went to Red Bluff, California
with his mother, while older siblings Tom, Larry, and Sandra remained with their father. After college Jim lived in Sacramento
worked as a waiter., and in 1988, moved to Los Angeles
. The agent who employed his actress wife Karen Praxel as a receptionist encouraged Jim to get into acting. Jim took acting lessons, and began his career with roles in B-movie
s and commercial voice-overs.
He also works with Los Angeles based "Feet First Films", a production company that provides actor demos as well as production support for short films. Jim and his wife have one son and currently reside in Venice, California.
In 1995 A Current Affair revealed that Tom Hanks had created the mannerisms for the character of Forrest Gump
in the film of the same name
based upon the simpleton mannerisms earlier created by Jim for the role of Jeeter in 1993, including Forrest's "now-famous jerky run". Jim's physical resemblance to Tom allowed him to act as body-double in scenes in Forrest Gump
, and due to his voice similarity, Jim often substitutes for Tom in the role of Sheriff Woody
in various Toy Story
video games and spin-offs.
Hanks has been the voice of Geoffrey the Giraffe in the Toys "R" Us commercials since 2001, and is also the voice of Rudy from the Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
commercials.
He guest-starred in an episode of Scrubs
, appearing as a "Dr. Turner", partnered with a doctor called "Hooch" (in reference to one of his brother's films, Turner & Hooch
).
In the 1996 film adaptation
of O. Henry
's The Ransom of Red Chief
, Jim Hanks played the role of the mailman who was the town gossip.
Hanks has also appeared on stage, including playing "Lennie Small" in Theatrical Arts Internationals production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
.
As voice artist
Video game voice
As director/cinematographer
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film and television actor, and voice-over artist.
Background
Jim Hanks is the youngest brother of Tom HanksTom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
, but they were not raised together. After their parents Amos and Janet Hanks divorced in 1961, Jim went to Red Bluff, California
Red Bluff, California
Red Bluff is a city in and the county seat of Tehama County, California, United States. The population was 14,076 at the 2010 census, up from 13,147 at the 2000 census....
with his mother, while older siblings Tom, Larry, and Sandra remained with their father. After college Jim lived in Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
worked as a waiter., and in 1988, moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The agent who employed his actress wife Karen Praxel as a receptionist encouraged Jim to get into acting. Jim took acting lessons, and began his career with roles in B-movie
B-movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
s and commercial voice-overs.
He also works with Los Angeles based "Feet First Films", a production company that provides actor demos as well as production support for short films. Jim and his wife have one son and currently reside in Venice, California.
Career
Jim Hanks' first lead role was as Jeeter Buford in the film Buford's Beach Bunnies. Wishing to earn the role based upon his own abilities, he had auditioned as "Jim Matthews", using just his first and a modification of his middle name. While production noted his "resemblance to Tom Hanks", he won the role based upon his own comedic and acting skills and his true relationship to Tom was not revealed until paperwork was completed.In 1995 A Current Affair revealed that Tom Hanks had created the mannerisms for the character of Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
in the film of the same name
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
based upon the simpleton mannerisms earlier created by Jim for the role of Jeeter in 1993, including Forrest's "now-famous jerky run". Jim's physical resemblance to Tom allowed him to act as body-double in scenes in Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
, and due to his voice similarity, Jim often substitutes for Tom in the role of Sheriff Woody
Sheriff Woody
Sheriff Woody Pride, or simply Woody, is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Toy Story franchise . He is voiced by Tom Hanks in the films, and by Jim Hanks in most other media.-Toy Story:...
in various Toy Story
Toy Story
Toy Story is a 1995 American computer-animated film released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is Pixar's first feature film as well as the first ever feature film to be made entirely with CGI. The film was directed by John Lasseter and featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen...
video games and spin-offs.
Hanks has been the voice of Geoffrey the Giraffe in the Toys "R" Us commercials since 2001, and is also the voice of Rudy from the Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
Red Robin
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is a chain of casual dining restaurants founded in 1969 in Seattle, Washington, and now headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado.-History:...
commercials.
He guest-starred in an episode of Scrubs
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
, appearing as a "Dr. Turner", partnered with a doctor called "Hooch" (in reference to one of his brother's films, Turner & Hooch
Turner & Hooch
Turner & Hooch is a 1989 comedy film starring Tom Hanks, Mare Winningham, Craig T. Nelson, and Reginald VelJohnson. It was directed by Roger Spottiswoode; the film was originally slated to be directed by Henry Winkler, but he was terminated due to "creative differences"...
).
In the 1996 film adaptation
Film adaptation
Film adaptation is the transfer of a written work to a feature film. It is a type of derivative work.A common form of film adaptation is the use of a novel as the basis of a feature film, but film adaptation includes the use of non-fiction , autobiography, comic book, scripture, plays, and even...
of O. Henry
O. Henry
O. Henry was the pen name of the American writer William Sydney Porter . O. Henry's short stories are well known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings.-Early life:...
's The Ransom of Red Chief
The Ransom of Red Chief
"The Ransom of Red Chief" is a 1910 short story by O. Henry. It follows two men who attempt to kidnap and ransom a wealthy Alabaman's son; eventually, the men are driven to distraction by the boy and end up having to pay the boy's father to take him back....
, Jim Hanks played the role of the mailman who was the town gossip.
Hanks has also appeared on stage, including playing "Lennie Small" in Theatrical Arts Internationals production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men is a novella written by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression in California, USA....
.
Partial filmography
As actor- Prison Planet (1992)
- Homefront (1 episode, 1992) (TV)
- Buford's Beach Bunnies (1993)
- The ClinicThe ClinicThe Clinic is a Chilean satirical/investigative newspaper founded by Patricio Fernández Chadwick in November 1998. The name was inspired by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet's October 1998 arrest in Britain at The London Clinic, which bears the name The Clinic on its façade...
(1995) - Portrait in Red (1995)
- Xtro 3: Watch the SkiesXtro 3: Watch the SkiesXtro 3: Watch the Skies is the third film in the low-budget British science fiction/horror Xtro series.-Plot:For years, the government has successfully covered up very real proof of U.F.O.s...
(1995) - Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanLois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman was a live-action American television series based on the Superman comic books...
(1 episode, 1996) (TV) - Sabrina, the Teenage WitchSabrina, the Teenage WitchSabrina the Teenage Witch is a comic book series published by Archie Comics about the adventures of a teenage fictional character named Sabrina Spellman. The character was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo. The comic's characters have also appeared in various other media...
(1 episode, 1996) (TV) - Psycho Sushi (1997)
- Night ManNight ManNight Man is an American action/adventure/sci-fi series that aired in syndication from September 15, 1997 to May 17, 1999. The series is loosely based on a comic book published by Malibu Comics and was created by Steve Englehart and developed for television by Glen A...
NightMan (1 episode, 1997) (TV) - The Ransom of Red Chief (1998) (TV)
- Blood Type (1999)
- Smart GuySmart GuySmart Guy is an American sitcom created by Danny Kallis. The series ran on The WB for three seasons from April 2, 1997 to May 16, 1999.-Premise:The show centers on the misadventures of boy genius T.J...
(1 episode, 1999) (TV) - Baby GeniusesBaby GeniusesBaby Geniuses is a 1999 family-oriented comedy film directed by Bob Clark, rated PG for "some rude behavior and dialogue". It stars Kathleen Turner and Christopher Lloyd....
(1999) - JAGJAG (TV series)JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
(2 episodes, 1998–1999) (TV) - InfernoInferno (1999 film)Inferno is a 1999 American action film directed by John G. Avildsen, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Danny Trejo and Noriyuki "Pat" Morita. Depending on the territory the film is released and the length of the film's cut, Avildsen is credited as Danny Mulroon...
(released as Desert Heat (1999) - Big Guy and Rusty the Boy RobotBig Guy and Rusty the Boy RobotThe Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot is a 1995 comic book written by Frank Miller, drawn by Geof Darrow and published by Dark Horse Comics...
(1999) (TV series) - Blood on the Backlot (2000)
- Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane (1 episode, 2000) (TV)
- Cahoots (2001)
- Spirit Rising (2001)
- Swing (2003)
- Purgatory House (2004)
- ScrubsScrubs (TV series)Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
(1 episode, 2005) (TV) - DexterDexter (TV series)Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
(1 episode, 2007) (TV) - Shark SwarmShark SwarmShark Swarm is a film created by RHI Entertainment as part of the Maneater film series. It premiered on the Sci Fi Channel on May 25, 2008. Directed by James A. Contner and written by Matthew Chernov and David Rosiak, the film stars Daryl Hannah, John Schneider and Armand Assante...
(2008) (TV) - Deadwater (2008)
- Road to the Altar (2009)
- GoofyfootGoofyfootGoofyfoot is an EP by folk singer-songwriter Phranc, released in 1995.Recorded in Olympia, Washington with session musicians including Donna Dresch and Tobi Vail, as well as members of Satan's Pilgrims, Goofyfoot is an independent tribute to the surfer-punk ethic of the Californian coast. It covers...
(2010) - Acts of Violence (2010)
- Odd Brodsky (2010)
As voice artist
- Sunset BeachSunset Beach (TV series)Sunset Beach was an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on January 6, 1997, and last airing on December 31, 1999. The show followed the loves and lives of the people living in a fictional coastal city named Sunset Beach, on the coast of California...
(2 episodes, 1998) (TV) (voice) - Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure BeginsBuzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure BeginsBuzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins aka Buzz Lightyear of Star Command the Beginning is a 2000 Disney animated direct-to-video film that acts as a pilot to the television series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command...
(2000) (V)
Video game voice
- Toy StoryToy Story (video game)Toy Story is a video game for the Sega Genesis, the Super Nintendo, Game Boy and Windows 95 PCs, developed by Traveller's Tales and released by Disney Interactive. It is largely based on the movie of the same name. The Japanese version of the game was distributed by Capcom internationally. The game...
(1996) - Toy Story RacerToy Story RacerToy Story Racer is a kart racing game, similar to Nintendo's Mario Kart series, but based on the Toy Story franchise. The game was released in 2001 for the PlayStation and Game Boy Color systems. The PlayStation version has also been released on the PlayStation Network as a PSOne Classic, in July...
(2001) - Extreme Skate Adventure (2003)
- The Polar ExpressThe Polar Express (video game)The Polar Express is an adventure game released in 2004 by Blue Tongue. Based on the film of the same name, the game follows the same plot as the film it's based on...
(2004) - Toy Story 3: The Video GameToy Story 3: The Video GameToy Story 3: The Video Game is a platform video game loosely based on the film Toy Story 3. It was published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Avalanche Software , Asobo Studio and n-Space...
(2010)
As director/cinematographer
- Wish (2008)
- The Floor (2008)