Film Society of Lincoln Center Set to Salute Tom Hanks

The Film Society of Lincoln Center will honor legendary actor Tom Hanks at the newly refurbished Alice Tully Hall in New York City on Monday, April 27.

Tom Hanks will be the 26th honoree saluted at The Film Society of Lincoln Center Annual Tribute Gala, which began in 1972 by paying homage to Charlie Chaplin. Highlights from many of Mr. Hanks' films will be interspersed with accolades, memories, and humorous addresses from the actor's friends and colleagues, which include directors Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and a litany of others.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center Lauds Tom Hanks' Distinguished Career

From his early work on the television program, Bosom Buddies from 1980 to 1982 through his 2009 release of Angels and Demons, Mr. Hanks has risen sharply to superstardom and sustained a level of brilliance and popularity unusual for even the most celebrated of Hollywood icons. He has shifted effortlessly between drama, comedy and romantic comedy and has achieved distinction in virtually every film genre...including animation with his two Toy Story films (a third is due in 2010), The Polar Express and Cars.

A summary listing of his films reads like a Hollywood Hall of Fame - A League of Their Own, Big, Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, Cast Away, Road to Perdition, The Terminal, The Da Vinci Code, Charlie Wilson's War. He has also moved seamlessly into the roles of Director, Producer, and Executive Producer, and as the latter, has been responsible of late for Mamma Mia!, HBO's Big Love series, Charlie Wilson's War, and the 2009 film The Great Buck Howard, which will star John Malkovich and Tom Hanks' son, Colin. Along the way, he has found time to follow his passion for the subjects of space exploration and World War II. He won Emmy Awards for both his From the Earth to the Moon miniseries in 1998 and his Band of Brothers miniseries in 2001.

Legends of The Film Society of Lincoln Center Annual Gala Tribute

Each year, the Film Society salutes one of Hollywood's most treasured actors. Through the years, a Hollywood's Who's Who has graced the big stage including Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Clint Eastwood, Bette Davis, Jack Lemmon, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, and many others.

The last three years has belonged to the actresses. Last year, Meryl Streep was honored and her tribute featured visits from Robert Redford, Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, Mike Nichols, and others. The 2007 honoree, Diane Keaton inspired a rare appearance by Woody Allen. Kathy Bates and Joan Allen were among the guests paying tribute to Jessica Lange in 2006.