Tom Hanks' Inauguration Hopes

LOS ANGELES — Tom Hanks wants to attend President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration even if he doesn't get a front-row seat. Or any seat at all.

"Look, I'll be in the back," the 52-year-old Oscar winner said backstage Tuesday night at a benefit for the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. "I'll sit on the Lincoln steps and just watch it from the distance on a Jumbotron. I've never been to anything like that, and _ finally _ a guy I voted for won. That hasn't happened most of my life."

Hanks posted a video pledging his support for Obama on MySpace last May. In the video, Hanks said he was backing Obama because of his "character and vision, and the high road he has taken during this campaign." Hanks also said Obama "has the integrity and the inspiration to unify us, as did FDR and Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy and even Ronald Reagan when they ran for the job."

Hank's wife, Rita Wilson, echoed her husband's sentiment before the pair joined a star-studded cast _ which included Annette Bening, William Shatner, Martin Short, James Cromwell and Alicia Silverstone _ for a one-time only performance of the Pulitzer-prize-winning play "You Can't Take It With You" at UCLA's Royce Hall.

However, Wilson had a different viewing spot in mind for Jan. 20.

"I think we're going to get a kayak and go into the National Mall waters," she joked.

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On the Net

http://www.tft.ucla.edu

Comments

[BlackYowe]

I just rented the series he did for HBO on John Adams and watched it with family over the Thanksgiving weekend. Its really great. He is a nice guy and we are lucky to have him in the entertainment business.

[Agentlady007]

Thanks Kar,...there are a lot of people here who would love your lives. So nice and beautiful. Like a story book. We thank you for thinking of America. We love you. We love your imagination.

[Agentlady007]

Maybe Tom can run through the National waters the way he did in Forrest Gump, and then maybe ABC, NBC and CBS and Fox can set this up and film him. Then my friend Robin Wright Penn can Hug him on the other side.

(Just a thought.)

[robbor]

regarding the above photo of Tom, give him a couple years and he'll be perfect for the Rodney Dangerfield biopic

[schicklett3]

So many hopes and dreams lie on the shoulders of Barack Obama. He is the man of true hope for people of all races, creeds, and colors. Young, old, rich and poor support his vision for our country.
I'm excited!

[MsDebate]

I love Tom Hanks and commend him for being there and not caring about star status. He just wants to be in the house and that's the real deal.

[thecanadian]

PE Obama should make sure Tom Hanks has a seat! He is one of the very first "stars" to endorse him with an intelligent presentation! Hope you can go Mr. Hanks - invited like~

[LMPE]

I'll actually be arriving in DC the day of the inauguration for a two-day orientation before going to Moscow for the spring. I suspect that the inauguration will have already taken place by the time that I arrive, but it'll still be great to arrive that day. Of course, it'll really be neat to spend spring in Russia; the two previous times that I've been there were both in autumn, so this will be the opposite.

I wish Tom Hanks luck.

[bioluminescence]

Life is like a box of chocolates. In January, America gets the whole box.

[ChicagoSuz]

He should channel his inner Forrest Gump. Gump would be on the platform, right next to Obama... ;-)

[obamanation31]

I'll be there with Tom.

[tangie]

I remember when Tom had his early TV program. I remember how young he was then. Gads I feel old.

He's had a wonderful career, and has turned out to be a wonderful person from what I have seen.

[socratiskiss]

Gotta love Tom Hanks! One of my favorite actors ever!

[Agentlady007]

I love Tom.

[gisellestwocents]

I have always been a Tom Hanks fan. It's great when these icons give us a window into their souls and I like what I see!!!! Although I doubt that Tom will have to watch from afar...unless that is what he chooses...

[totallynext]

Hank

I got a room in DC for rent....