ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Tom Hanks shares the most embarrassing moment of his career
Home>Entertainment>Film
Updated 11:11 2 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 11:01 2 Dec 2023 GMT

Tom Hanks shares the most embarrassing moment of his career

Although we always see a polished performance from the actor, he revealed things aren't always so seamless behind the scenes

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Tom Hanks has revealed the most embarrassing moment of his glittering three-decade career that he still kicks himself over.

The legendary actor, 67, was one of the showbiz stars to grace The Graham Norton Show for last night's (1 December) episode.

Hanks fondly looked back on his time in the industry on the BBC show while sat alongside Cher, Julia Roberts and Timothée Chalamet.

Advert

He has some pretty big movies under his belt - including Cast Away, Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, The Da Vinci Code and Saving Private Ryan.

We all know and love some of the star's most popular films, which Hanks is very proud to have lent his acting skills to.

But although we always see a very polished performance when we tune in from home or head to the cinema, he revealed that things aren't always so seamless behind-the-scenes.

During the interview with Norton, Hanks recalled the making of Ron Howard's iconic space drama Apollo 13, which was released back in 1995.

It's the one where he utters the notorious line, which is arguably one of the most famous film quotes of all time: "Houston, we have a problem."

The actor said his most embarrassing moment happened while filming Apollo 13.
Universal Pictures

The film rehashes the real-life story of astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, who run into trouble while en route to the Moon.

While Hanks was shooting the scene where he says the memorable line, he explained that he royally showed himself up while trying to sell the fact that he was supposedly in serious trouble in space.

Sharing the details of the cringe-worthiest moment of his career, the actor told Norton: "Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton and I were recreating the serious moment right after ‘Houston we have a problem,’ and were going up and down on grips making us look weightless."

Obviously, the trio were pretty used to it by this point in filming - but they weren't as accustomed to having an intimidating audience member watching their every move.

Hanks with Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell and former president Bill Clinton.
Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

NASA astronaut Lovell, who commanded the real Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970, was visiting the cast and crew on set that day.

It's safe to say Hanks was pretty mortified that he was being pulled on strings like a puppet as the heroic spaceman, who he was playing in the movie, watched from below.

The actor added: "We looked ridiculous and when I looked down, there was Jim looking up at us.

"I have never felt more stupid in my life."

Hanks also revealed he that he had a head start on his co-stars, as he had got some 'space walk' training in throughout childhood.

He explained he had an above ground pool which he filled up with water before donning a 'cheap mask and a brick in the back of his swimsuit'.

The Toy Story star recalled how he would then lie back to float while treading water to simulate a space walk.

Featured Image Credit: BBC/Universal Pictures

Topics: BBC, Graham Norton, Space, TV and Film, The Graham Norton Show, Tom Hanks, Celebrity

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Recommended reads

Women are spending $20,000 on x-rated surgery to improve sexual performanceGetty Stock PhotoDoctor issues immediate warning to anyone sleeping in one positionGetty StockSidemen issue statement after KSI announces he is leaving groupSidemenExorcist shares disturbing moment that was ‘proof’ devil is realYouTube/Father Carlos Martins

Advert

  • Paul Rudd admits he ‘lived in fear’ of fellow star exposing major lie about his career
  • New details on Tom Hardy's alleged 'career suicide' behaviour that got him fired from MobLand
  • Tom Hardy was 'not fired’ from MobLand in new update following claims of 'career suicide'
  • Tom Hanks pays emotional tribute to the famed astronaut he portrayed in Apollo 13 following his death

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Sidemen
    an hour ago

    Sidemen issue statement after KSI announces he is leaving group

    The rapper confirmed the news earlier today

    Entertainment

    breaking

  • Instagram/Kat Von D
    2 hours ago

    Kat Von D shares ‘biggest regret’ as she issues update on new completely new ‘lifestyle’

    Things have changed for Kat Von D

    Entertainment
  • Instagram/Madonna
    2 hours ago

    Close friend of dead celebrity who gave Madonna ‘best sex ever’ addressed their relationship

    She waxed lyrical about his abilities in the bedroom

    Entertainment
  • YouTube/KSI
    4 hours ago

    KSI announces he is ‘leaving Sidemen’ in emotional statement

    It sounds like that's it for KSI and the Sidemen

    Entertainment

    breaking