www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Is Tom Hanks Greek Orthodox?

This may have been discussed before, but is Tom Hanks Greek Orthodox? I remember reading something somewhere that said he was. I know his wife's background is Greek.

If so, could not one of his bishops be petitioned to help him see the light on the damage he will cause with this film? Granted, now that the film is in the can, he would be severly limited as far as any course of action. He probably does not see the effect that we have of the book on the uncatechized faithful and public who have read it. Hey, to him and Opie, it's entertainment! But his participation in the DaVinci Code film is shameful and he will suffer spiritually and morally for it IMHO.

Thoughts?

Gordo

I believe Tom did indeed convert to Orthodoxy.

"Tom Hanks was an adherent of a number of different Christian denominations while growing up (including Catholic, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nazarene, and a Fundamentalist Christian group. Hanks joined the Greek Orthodox Church when he married his wife, Rita Wilson. The webpage below is not a comprehensive spiritual biography of Tom Hanks, but focuses primarily on the time he spent as a Latter-day Saint.
Source: David Gardner. Tom Hanks: The Unauthorized Biography. London, UK: Blake Publishing Ltd. (1999)."

More details:
http://www.ldsfilm.com/actors/TomHanks.html

ICXC
NIKA

No wonder he is confused. He changes religions like most people change their undergarments.
Stephanos I

Well, it may be that Mr. Hanks is Orthodox in name only. He probably converted to please his wife...Many ethnic Orthodox remain in their churches for an ethnic identity, and there is nowhere that is more prevalent than in the Greek Church.

I also seriously doubt that either he or his wife are terribly religious.

I also would assume that he has given an amazing amount of money to his church and the Archdiocese. Unfortunately, as is the case also with Latin Bishops, the hierarchy does not particularly like to distance those who contribute heavily to and support the Church.

I agree that it is a disgrace for him to be acting in this movie, an UTTER disgrace!

In the Risen Christ,
Alice

Yes Alice it is an utter disgrace and also a ddisappointment. In the world of Hollywood, Tom Hanks always seemed to stand out to me as a decent as well as talented entertainer, I am truly disappointed he would betray his seeeemingly multi-dimensioned Christian background by being in this film made to discredit Christ, he has gone down quite a few notches in my book.

I agree. So, let's pray for him and the others who put out this blasphemy. Lord have mercy!

-- John

Who cares what Tom Hanks is? I don't understand the rationality of being starstruck. Each man is equal in this world, so, if effect we should not put our trust in princes and sons of men..... Someone finish the antiphon for me.

It seems to me that Tom Hanks cannot be a Christian...at least in his heart. So why do I say this? Because when I look at him, (today at least), I see a man with glowing eyes that reflects a state of amazement within himself. It seems his ego has become inflated because everything he touches turns to gold.

I have seen this in a few others in Hollywood and I think it stems from the fact that they were not over achievers, nor unusually bright or talented. I can't help but feel their success comes from other sources, (spiritual lapses or weakness')...but that is my opinion.

As for him being Greek Orthodox it means nothing. I have seen worse lauded in the Church because of their positions, and in Tom Hanks case, he is Orthodox through his marriage.

Worse to me are the writers with Irish names, that when asked why they write such garbage for the movies and TV, garbage that has influenced and has done so much harm to our youth and society when they did not have any monetary gain from it, replied with: We want to see how far we can go.

Worse also are those Catholics on TV that have nothing better to do than bash their own Church, and advance 'liberal' and anti-Church causes.

But all this is my opinion, so let's all pray for the misguided of this world. They more than anyone else, will have to answer for thier 'stances'.

Zenovia

For some, religion is like a box of chocolates.

You never know what it will be until you taste it.

Poor, sad joke, I know.

Is George Michael Greek Orthodox? Should that be a separate thread?

I think Rita Wilson, who's half Greek, actually converted to Orthodoxy herself. I think I remember reading some account somewhere of how she only recently (i.e., in the past decade or so) got more interested in her Greek heritage. I might be wrong about her converting, but I do know she did have a self-initiated interest in Greece and the GOC.

That of course doesn't mean that either Hanks or Wilson are good Christians. I guess we don't know that but Hanks' role in this movie isn't doing anything to help.

Logos Teen

But like it or not, he is certainly a person of influence through the medium of the silver screen.

For some, religion is like a box of chocolates.

Good one Michael! Sad but true.

Dear all,

Yep, according to what I've found on the net, Tom Hanks converted to Orthodoxy when he married Rita Wilson.

Here are some other celebrities who are Orthodox, according to a website I came across:

Telly Savalas (duh!)

Jennifer Aniston (whose real last name is Anastassakis-- I never knew she was Greek). Telly Savalas was her godfather.

John Belushi

Karl Malden

And from what I understand, Prince Charles is very interested in Orthodoxy-- he apparently goes to Orthodox services, and has been to Mount Athos a couple of times... "Mummy, I don't care what you say, I want to be Orthodox!"

God bless,

Karen

Michael,

How about, "Religion is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna convert to next."

And I don't think George Michael is Orthodox-- he's just a weirdo...

God bless,

Karen