Tom Hanks Says He Almost Died While Filming Cast Away

Tom Hanks has revealed that he almost died while filming one of his most iconic movies.

The 63-year-old said he injured himself while shooting Cast Away, and that it almost saw him off.

Speaking to the BBC back in 2009, Hanks said he suffered and cut to his leg, which became infected and caused him to be rushed to the hospital.

He said: "[Cast Away] put me in the hospital. I was there for three days with something that, believe it or not, almost killed me.

"I got an infection from a cut and it was eating its way through my leg. I didn't know it, I just thought I had a sore."

He added: "I went to the doctor who took one look and said, 'I have to put you in the hospital because we have to get this infection out of you before it poisons your blood and you die'."

20th Century Fox

Thankfully, the Toy Story star didn't die all those years ago, and has gone on to become one of the most successful and best-loved actors of his generation.

His career was celebrated at this year's Golden Globes, where he was handed the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award - and he got a bit emotional in the process.

Accepting his gong, he told the audience: "I have a cold the size of Merv Griffin's Jeopardy! royalties.

"Showing up on time is one of the greatest and most liberating acts you can give yourself in a movie."

Hanks also paid tribute to his family: "A man is blessed with a family sitting down front like that - a wife who is fantastic in every way, who has taught me what love is... five kids who are braver and stronger and wiser than their old man.

PA

"And a loving group of people who have put away with me being away months and months at a time. Of course otherwise I wouldn't be standing here if they didn't have to put up with that. I can't tell you how much your love means to me."

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organisation responsible for the award, said that it was 'proud' to honour Hank's movie legacy.

HFPA President Lorenzo Soria said: "For more than three decades, he's captivated audiences with rich and playful characters.

"As compelling as he is on the silver screen, he's equally so behind the camera as a writer, producer and director."

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, BBC, Interesting, US News, US Entertainment, Tom Hanks, Golden Globes

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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