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Tom Hanks Has a New Friend (not named Wilson)

We all know Tom Hanks’ body of work. He’s done a lot of great movies (and I even remember him in an episode of “Happy Days”, fighting the Fonz; and on “Taxi”, getting stoned with Christopher Lloyd and staring at a lava lamp).

I knew of his love of typewriters because he was in the documentary “California Typewriter” three years ago (it’s an interesting documentary on a dying machine, now that computers are what we use). When Hanks released a book of short stories, I was lucky enough to snag a signed copy with a pre-order. Anyway, he put a picture of a typewriter on the cover.

We also know Hanks is a class guy. We’ve seen him in interviews, and he’s always friendly. I once met a tall basketball player that had a coach live next door to Hanks. A few of the players did something in rather bad judgement, involving  Hanks’ kids (I won’t share the story here); but the way Hanks handled it, was just amazing. The guy telling me the story at a party, said he still thinks about that and how wonderful it was that they didn’t get in trouble with their parents, and how he merely explained to them why what they did was wrong. Even with one player breaking down crying, Hanks tried to comfort this guy, who was clearly in the wrong.

Anyway, we all heard that Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson got the coronavirus while in Australia filming a movie. Here’s a wonderful story you may not have heard, though.

An 8-year-old boy named Corona De Vries from Gold Coast in Queensland state, wrote a letter to the star. He said, “I heard on the news you and your wife had caught the coronavirus. Are you OK?”

He went on to explain that he loved his name “Corona” but people at school have been calling him “Coronavirus” and that it makes him “sad and angry”.

Hanks wrote back, saying, “Your letter made my wife and I feel so wonderful!” 

This was typed, using...you guessed it (or maybe you didn’t, if you’re under 30) -- on a Corona typewriter. 

Hanks’ response continued, “You know, you are the only person I’ve ever known to have the name Corona -- like the ring around the sun, a crown.”

He ended by saying, “I thought this typewriter would suit you. Ask a grown up how it works and use it to write me back.”

The typewriter was enclosed in the package with the letter.

There was also a lovely P.S. 

On that, Hanks typed “You got a friend in ME!”

Views: 348

Tags: California Typewriter, Christopher Lloyd, Corona, Happy Days, Rita Wilson, Taxi, Tom Hanks, Uncommon Type

Comment by Jason Strecker on April 29, 2020 at 9:52am

I understand completely Josh. I just wish that he would have some middle ground between being negative in an autograph type of meeting versus how he acts as Mr. Nice Guy in random street meets. Who knows if the people he randomly goes up to are even fans compared to the ones holding a DVD sleeve or photo. My early days of collecting autographs were built on autograph magazine the paper version so it just disappoints me to know how far he's come, not in a great way from being one of the #1 or #2 signers to a guy who disappoints fans on the streets and the guy who really seems to be trying to get Kim Kardashian level attention on social media.

Comment by Josh Board on April 29, 2020 at 11:21am

I think he probably does have a lot of middle ground. I don't think I explained the John Mayer thing properly, and it probably applies to Hanks, too. If somebody approaches you (in a restaurant or airport), and they have a DVD or 8x10, they are NOT a fan. No fan knew that celeb would be there, unless given the heads up. And that can be...a rather upsetting thing for the star. For example, if I ask you who your favorite athlete is of all-time, and you tell me "Michael Jordan." Well, I'm guessing right now, if Michael Jordan was at a Starbucks you were in, you wouldn't have an 8x10 with you, or a basketball, or Topps card, would you? So, those that do, aren't "fans" to the stars.

Comment by Butters24 on April 30, 2020 at 4:16am

I am with you Jason Strecker.  Hanks can be awful to be people asking for autographs.  I have seen LeBron sign more autographs in Southern California than Tom Hanks the past 5 years.  Tom ..won't even touch it at publicized events, premieres, Q&A's, talk shows, his own charity functions and etc... It wouldn't shock me if he was bipolar.  It would actually explain a lot.

And Jason add Cruise to that list.  I had him in San Diego for almost 1.5 months while he filmed Top Gun Maverick.  He loved to send his personal security to try and chase people away.  I would understand if we bothered him during filming, but that was not the case.  Last year during comic con he was the surprise guest on Conan.  Tom wanted nothing to do with the fans who were waiting to catch a glimpse of him.  He snuck in and out via underground entrance in San Diego all the fans/collectors/dealers all said they have never seen that from him ever.  He always made time for the fans.

Comment by Joe W. on April 30, 2020 at 4:52am

I can see both sides of this coin. I certainly can see celebrities backing off from random public signing especially in this new era of physical distancing. Does Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise no longer appreciate their fans? I doubt that. But, we live in a changing world and accommodating can be dangerous in more ways than one. I also understand that it takes a lot of patience and effort to get in a position to obtain an autograph. Risk versus reward. Where does one right outweigh the other's? That does not make them a bad, inconsiderate person only human.

Comment by Jason Strecker on April 30, 2020 at 9:14am

I'm sorry to read about the bad Tom Cruise experience although I have seen a few pretty good photo ops and autographs from him on a site called "markedout" which features a lot of north/east coast collectors whose whole lives are meeting celebrities in the NJ/NY/PA/MD/DC/VA area.

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