Tom Hanks doesn't need another trophy to gather dust on his mantel, but he does want you to stop acting like voice work is the "easy" version of his job. In a recent sit-down with Gold Derby, the man who gave Woody his soul made it clear: acting is acting, whether you’re wearing a cowboy hat or a motion-capture suit with ping-pong balls glued to your face. For any kid in your house who dreams of being a YouTuber, a voice actor, or the next big thing on Broadway, Hanks is handing out a much-needed reality check on what the craft actually requires.
TL;DR
Tom Hanks used his latest Gold Derby interview to argue that voice acting deserves the same respect as live-action, dismantling the myth that "just talking" into a mic is a shortcut. It’s a perfect conversation starter for creative kids about the effort behind the scenes in hits like Toy Story and Greyhound. If they want to see the range he’s talking about, check out our best movies for kids list.
Hanks has always been the unofficial dean of Hollywood common sense, and his take on the "Best Voice Acting" Oscar category—or the lack thereof—is classic Hanks. He isn't out here campaigning for a new statue just to pad his stats. Instead, he’s defending the labor.
When he talks about Toy Story, he isn't talking about showing up in pajamas and reading a script. He’s talking about the physical exhaustion of recording the same line fifty different ways to find the one that makes a plastic cowboy feel human. For a kid who thinks being a "content creator" just means turning on a camera and talking, this is the pivot point. Hanks is saying the medium doesn't change the requirement for excellence.
If your kid is obsessed with how things are made, point them toward his work on Greyhound. In that one, he wasn't just the lead; he wrote the screenplay. He’s a guy who understands that the words on the page and the voice in the booth are the foundation of everything we see on screen.
We live in an era where "fame" feels like something you can stumble into with a viral clip. Hanks represents the opposite: the "craft-first" mentality. In the Gold Derby interview, he’s unbothered by the glitz and hyper-focused on the "truth" of a performance.
If you have a kid who gets frustrated when their first attempt at a drawing, a video, or a song isn't perfect, use the Hanks approach. The guy has won two Oscars and he still talks about the grind of getting a single line right in a recording booth. It’s about the "iteration," not the "inspiration."
The "I'll Do It Again" Energy
Hanks describes the recording process as a marathon. You aren't just Woody; you’re Woody in a moment of panic, Woody in a moment of jealousy, and Woody realizing he’s being replaced. That’s a lot of emotional heavy lifting for someone standing in a room by themselves.
If your kid is into performance, have them try this:
- Pick a single sentence.
- Record it five different ways (angry, whispered, laughing, terrified, bored).
- Listen back.
That’s the "Hanks Method." It’s not about being a star; it’s about being a tool for the story.
The internet loves to get outraged that there isn't a specific Oscar for voice acting. Hanks, however, takes a more nuanced road. He seems to suggest that by creating a separate category, you’re implicitly saying it’s "lesser than" the main acting categories.
It’s a hot take, but it’s a smart one. By arguing that a performance like his in Toy Story or The Polar Express should just be eligible for "Best Actor," he’s raising the bar. He’s saying, "My work in a booth is just as valid as my work in A Man Called Otto."
For a parent, this is a great way to talk about how we value different types of work. Is a graphic novelist "less" of a writer than a novelist? Is a digital artist "less" of a painter? Hanks says no. The effort is the equalizer.
If this interview sparks an interest in the "Legend of Tom," don't just stick to the animated stuff. The guy has a range that serves as a history lesson in Hollywood's evolution.
This is the one to watch if your kid thinks history is boring. It’s lean, it’s tense, and it shows Hanks as a writer. It’s a masterclass in "show, don't tell." He doesn't need a five-minute monologue to show he's stressed; he just needs to look at a radar screen.
This is "Grumpy Hanks," and it’s a great example of how an actor uses their physical presence. After years of being the "nicest guy in Hollywood," seeing him play a guy who hates everyone is a lesson in character choice.
You don't need to be a film student to have a good conversation about this. When you’re watching something together—even if it’s just a 10-minute YouTube video—ask:
- "How many times do you think they had to record that line to make it sound that natural?"
- "Do you think it’s harder to act with your whole body or just your voice?"
- "Why do you think Tom Hanks still cares about doing a good job after 40 years?"
The goal isn't to make them critics; it's to make them intentional about what they’re consuming. When they see the work, they stop being just "users" and start being "appreciators."
Q: Why isn't there a Best Voice Acting category at the Oscars? The Academy has historically viewed voice acting as a "technical" contribution or part of the animation process rather than a standalone performance. While there’s a massive push to change this, legends like Hanks often argue that voice performances should simply be eligible for the main acting awards because the emotional work is the same.
Q: Is Tom Hanks' Gold Derby interview okay for kids to watch? Yes, it’s a standard industry interview. It’s mostly "inside baseball" about the film industry, so younger kids might find it boring, but for a teen interested in acting or filmmaking, it’s a gold mine of professional advice.
Q: What are the best Tom Hanks movies for a 10-year-old? Beyond the Toy Story franchise, Big is the classic "kid in an adult body" story that still hits, and The Polar Express is a staple for visual storytelling. For something more modern and grounded, A Man Called Otto is a solid choice for older elementary kids who can handle a few heavier themes about grief and community.
Tom Hanks isn't looking for a participation trophy. He’s looking for people to realize that "easy" media—the stuff that feels effortless to watch—is usually the result of the hardest work. Whether your kid is recording a podcast in their bedroom or auditioning for the school play, the Hanks message is simple: Respect the work, do it again until it’s right, and don't worry about which category the world puts you in.
- Watch the "making of" features for Toy Story to see Hanks in the booth.
- Explore our best movies for kids list for more high-quality performances.
- Find more guides on creative careers for kids