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“I’m part of the lazy American generation that has blindly kept
dancing through the party and now finds ourselves with a mal-
ady,” the actor said in an interview for Radio Times.
Speaking with another media outlet, Hanks shared: “There is an ocean of
information out there and I am not an expert, but the truth is this is an epi-
demic in the U.S. because of our lifestyle and the food that we eat and the
way we lead our lives. More people have diabetes than ever before.”
Sharing his diagnosis was a way for the star to take responsibility and en-
courage others to take action. Always the good neighbor, Hanks is vocal
about the importance of quality healthcare and encourages fans to embrace
a willingness to change habits––things he wishes he’d done sooner.
Of course, success to Hanks means more than taking care of his family,
improving his health, and having money in the bank. He puts as much heart
into philanthropic efforts as he does into his performances. His charitable
range is impressive and encompasses efforts around conservation, children,
and AIDS. Many of his most vocal efforts revolve around causes for veterans.
Hanks received an honorary induction into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame
for his role in Saving Private Ryan. Not only has Hanks played the part
of a soldier and veteran in several of his films, he supports real life he-
roes. Hanks was honored in 2018 by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation
for his work with Hidden Heroes, the foundation’s efforts to aid veteran
caregivers, a campaign he helped launch in 2016. He’s also on the ad-
visory committee for the memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower
and has helped raise funds for the national World War II Memorial.
Recently, Hanks also narrated a video aimed at combating the high rate of
veteran suicides in the United States. “A handshake, a phone call, a simple
gesture make a big difference to a veteran in crisis,” Hanks says in the video.
Hanks has said about Hollywood portrayals of veterans and service members
that the best thing anyone can do is be authentic, something he hopes to
continue to do with another war drama he’s working on based on a C.S.
Forester novel that follows a Navy destroyer during the Battle of the Atlantic.
ABOVE: Tom Hanks will soon slip
into the famous red cardigan of one
of America’s most beloved neigh-
bors––Fred Rogers of television se-
ries Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.    
RIGHT: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
at the 5th Biennial Stand Up To
Cancer in Los Angeles.
Shutterstock
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