Despite having a vast list of films under his belt, the actor still wished to do more.
Tom Hanks is considered as an American cultural icon and one of the most well-known and recognizable movie stars in the world. In his roles as astronaut Jim Lovell and congressman Charlie Wilson, for example, he consistently does his characters’ roles justice.
In a recent interview with the New York Times, he discussed why he wanted to land the part of Dean Martin, which he hasn’t yet been able to play in his lengthy list of personas.
“I didn’t see Dean Martin as being the cynical presence in the Rat Pack,” Hanks told the publication. “I think he’s the only one who got it. Dean Martin was not into any of the show-business razzle-dazzle except for the way it gave him a degree of ease and enjoyment that he wanted because he grew up so hardscrabble. He said, ‘Pally, there’s got to be an easier way,’ and he discovered what that way was.”
“There’s a great story about Dean Martin: After he broke up with Jerry Lewis, everybody said, “Jerry is a genius, Dean’s just a crooner.” Dean then went to play Las Vegas, and it was a disaster,” he continued.
“He comes back and says to one of his guys: “They don’t seem to like me without the monkey boy. What are we going to do?” I’m paraphrasing. The guy said, “You could always do the drunky act.” So from that drunky act came jokes like: “I don’t drink anymore. I just freeze it and eat it like a Popsicle.”
He further explained: “He was not a boozer. When he’s out there with the Rat Pack, it’s apple juice in his glass. He would pretend not to know his lines. “I’d like to have a response to that joke, but I have to wait for Mr. Cue-Card Man to do his job.” This was all fake! What is that other than an expertise beyond belief? That’s why I wanted to do it. I felt like I understood that guy to a T.”
In order to wrap off his remarks, Hanks also addressed the end of Dean and Jerry’s lives, saying, “Jerry was in some restaurant and Dean came in — did not say hello. Just took his seat. Jerry said, “I have to go talk to Dean.” Understand, the night they broke up at the Copacabana, Jerry said to Dean, “What we had all this time was love.” Dean said: ‘You know what you were to me? A big fat [expletive] dollar sign.'”
“But at the end, they’re old, they’re infirm, and they just sat and held hands at some restaurant, weeping. Forgive me if I’m telling you too much about the movie we never made.”
Although there is presently no information on a production or anybody taking his request into consideration, we may witness the actor in “Elvis,” which opens in cinemas on June 24, as music business legend Colonel Tom Parker.
Reactions to Why Tom Hanks Desires To Play Dean Martin?
I have always wanted @tomhanks and @MatthewPerry to play brothers in some amazing comedy. A Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis (less blahheyhey tho) kind of thing. Too late?
I have always wanted @tomhanks and @MatthewPerry to play brothers in some amazing comedy. A Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis (less blahheyhey tho) kind of thing. Too late?
— JJ HAWK (@JJHAWK97) May 19, 2022
If I didn't love @tomhanks enough already he loves Dean Martin over Frank Sinatra too! #DesertIslandDiscs
If I didn't love @tomhanks enough already he loves Dean Martin over Frank Sinatra too! #DesertIslandDiscs
— Emma (@emsybobs91) May 2, 2022