Tom Hanks Reveals the Surprising Age That Was Hardest on His Body

Tom Hanks, 68, that he thinks he’s “in better shape now” than he was in his 30s. In his new film Here, Hanks and Robin Wright play a couple from their 20s until old age with the assistance of de-aging technology. When asked which age he most enjoyed returning to during production, Hanks instead named the age which was his least favorite both in real life and on film.

“I’m 68 years old. The hardest for us was when we were playing 35. That time when your metabolism stops, gravity starts tearing you down, your bones start wearing off. You stand differently,” Hanks told Entertainment Tonight at the film's premiere. "I think I’m in better shape now."

“You know why?” he continued. “Because my kids are grown up, I’m getting decent exercise, and I can eat right. You can’t do that when you’re 35. Life is such a burden!”

When the host told Hanks that “everyone needs to get on your plan right now,” the Forrest Gump star said he’s just trying to live as healthily as he can while contending with age and his type 2 diabetes. “Just maintaining the temple baby, that’s all I’m trying to do,” Hanks added.

Tom Hanks says he's in better shape now at 68 years old, than when he was at 35! pic.twitter.com/MidsWYP1EK

— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) October 29, 2024

Hanks made similar remarks when speaking to People at the premiere. “The much more difficult part that was both physical and spiritual emotionally is when Richard and Margaret are 35 and 42—when the aging process just begins to kick in and you no longer are able to spring up off a couch. And you're not yet to a place where life slows down completely."

The film's director, Robert Zemeckis, recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about Hanks and Wright adjusting their performances to appear younger after seeing preliminary footage of themselves in their 20s and 30s.

“They look at it and they go, ‘Oh, I’ve got to be a little bit more spry, I have to move a little quicker, I have to raise my voice a little bit,’” Zemeckis explained. “It was important for them to see it.”

Here is currently in theaters nationwide. You can watch the trailer below.