Podcast Summary: The Beat with Ari Melber – BONUS: Tom Hanks on ‘Progress’ and Characters Who Do What’s Right

Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Ari Melber
Guest: Tom Hanks (Actor, Filmmaker, Novelist)

Episode Overview

In this special Summit Series episode of "The Beat," Ari Melber welcomes legendary actor and author Tom Hanks for an in-depth, wide-ranging interview. The conversation delves into Hanks’s debut novel, his career choices, what draws him to certain roles, the intersection of art and values, the enduring importance of decency, and his views on America’s progress and persistent challenges. With humor and thoughtfulness, Hanks discusses storytelling, cynicism, empathy, and what it means to "do the right thing," offering memorable moments and lessons both for fans and for those pursuing creative paths.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Write a Novel? (01:31–03:55)

• Hanks discusses his motivation to write The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece, reflecting on the friendships, stories, and lessons from film sets that inspired him to fictionalize the movie-making process.
• Quote:

  "I had never read a fictionalized version of the making of a movie that matched my own experience... The challenge I laid out for it was if the reader has some understanding of just how nearly impossible it is to get a movie made, then I would have succeeded with my endeavors." – Tom Hanks (02:42)

2. The Chaos and Artistry of Filmmaking (03:55–05:31)

• Ari reads a vivid excerpt from the novel, prompting Hanks to reflect on the unpredictable mix of business, artistry, and pressure behind the scenes.
• Quote:

  "What has to always then come together is a bunch of folks who are going to be willing to work under incredibly pressurized atmosphere of time, money, and then the psychological aspects of all the personalities." – Tom Hanks (04:55)

3. On Criticism, Cynicism, and Respect for Craft (05:31–08:28)

• Hanks unpacks the novel’s argument that “hating a movie misses the damn point,” explaining how he’s outgrown youthful negativity and learned to appreciate the effort behind film, even when it doesn’t “work.”
• Quote:

  "There isn't a movie that's made that doesn't have some element in it that says, well, can't deny how good that is." – Tom Hanks (07:21)
  "I actually think Turner and Hooch did work. But I think the... That that's about as..." – Tom Hanks, on honestly assessing his own films (08:24)

4. Channeling Characters: Acting vs. Writing (08:36–11:03)

• Hanks compares embodying characters on screen with writing multiple viewpoints in fiction, emphasizing the common thread: caring deeply about people and their stories.
• He highlights the importance of every crew member on set, likening their collective contributions to “the stones of the pyramid of any movie.”
• Quote:

  "Even a greensman will come in and have this tiny, tiny, tiny impact on the quality of the shot and therefore the quality of the motion picture and the quality of that moment." (10:25)

5. Iconic Roles and Instincts Over Strategy (11:45–16:02)

• Ari plays a mash-up reel of Hanks’s most famous moments, leading to a discussion of how Hanks chooses roles—not by chasing iconic parts, but by following instinct and saying “no” when not inspired.
• Quote:

  "The hardest thing to say in the business... is saying no to something. That’s hard. Easy to say yes." (15:03)

6. A Return to Decency and Anti-Cynicism (16:06–19:15)

• Ari notes the recurring decency and lack of cynicism in Hanks’s characters. Hanks explains that he has always approached life and roles with pragmatic optimism and a willingness to “see what happens.”
• Quote:

  "They are not optimists... but they are not cynics." (16:46)
  "There was always a card to play... Ain’t that how life goes on? Well, let’s find out what happens. There’s always something that we can do, and if we don’t know what that is now, wait, wait. And an option will make itself visible." (17:57)

7. Tom Hanks in Hip Hop Culture (19:53–22:34)

• Ari surprises Hanks with a montage of hip hop references to his films and persona, underscoring the multi-generational, cross-genre reach of his work.
• Hanks reflects on the kinship between authentic storytelling in hip hop and the themes in his films: resilience, keeping it real, and inclusion.
• Quote:

  “Any kind of, like, true artistic creation is about examining some sort of mystery... maybe hip hop artists are not necessarily the type that are going to be celebrating being rocked back on their heels, but instead just being the opposite. Well, let’s lean into the feeling that is necessary here.” (21:17)

8. Art, Decency, and Exclusion: The Case of Forrest Gump (23:11–24:06)

• Hanks notes that Forrest Gump resonates because it addresses being told “you don’t belong here,” speaking to those who are excluded—an antithesis to community and art.
• Quote:

  "We ain't nothing unless we're a part of something bigger than ourselves, which is our community." (23:48)

9. On Success, Validation, and Staying Grounded (24:42–31:26)

• Ari revisits Hanks’s Oscar win for Forrest Gump, prompting Hanks to recall the collaborative process of making the film and how awards can momentarily “mess with you.”
• Hanks humorously notes how fleeting praise or “credit” can warp perspective, but that it always passes and the work remains.
• Quote:

  "Attention comes and goes. Credit, you know, it can really only land for a little while and after that you just have to get back and do the hard work." (29:40)

10. Portraying Social Issues and “Political” Roles (31:26–36:09)

• Ari brings up Hanks’s “socially conscious” movies; Hanks notes these were chosen for their truthful depictions of Americans under pressure, not for politics’ sake, though they often involve values and empathy.
• Quote:

  "Aren’t we all trying here to somehow create a more perfect union? Well, creating a more perfect union requires dispassion and inclusion and community. And that means you might live next door to somebody who celebrates different holidays from you." (35:13)

11. On America’s Progress and Ongoing Struggles (37:40–40:10)

• Hanks reflects on living through America’s changes since the 1960s, crediting the nation for slow but steady progress while reminding listeners how far there is to go towards liberty and justice for all.
• Quote:

  "We have made fantastic progress. We are getting closer and closer and closer to a perfection that we will never actually make..." (37:40)

12. Exchange with the Queen: Democracy & Historic Change (40:23–41:54)

• Hanks recounts a conversation with the Queen of England on the mechanics of democracy, comparing American experiences with those in nations lacking peaceful transitions of power.
• Quote:

  “What they don’t know how to do is change leaders... through any process other than death.” (41:22, paraphrasing the Queen)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Not Hating Movies:

  “Hate should be saved for fascism and steamed broccoli that’s gone cold. The worst anyone should ever say about someone else’s movie as well was not for me, but actually I found it quite good.” – Hanks (06:09)

• On Roles:

  “The hardest thing to say in the business... is saying no to something. That's hard.” – Hanks (15:03)

• On Art and Community:

  “We ain't nothing unless we're a part of something bigger than ourselves, which is our community.” – Hanks (23:48)

• On Progress:

  “We have made fantastic progress. We are getting closer and closer and closer to a perfection that we will never actually make.” – Hanks (37:40)

• On the Summit:

  “And reaching the summit means you have to climb back down and make that route safely.” – Hanks (45:40)

Important Timestamps

• 01:31 – Tom Hanks on why he wrote a novel
• 03:55 – The complexities of making movies
• 05:31 – On liking vs. hating films and appreciating the collaborative effort
• 11:45 – Montage of iconic roles, discussion of instinctive choices
• 16:06 – Decency and anti-cynicism in Hanks’s characters
• 19:53 – Tom Hanks’s resonance in hip hop culture
• 24:42 – Discussing the Oscar win and collaborative filmmaking
• 31:26 – Socially conscious/political roles
• 37:40 – Reflections on America’s progress
• 41:22 – Anecdote about democracy from Queen Elizabeth II
• 42:24 – Lightning round (fun rapid-fire questions/answers)

Lightning Round Highlights (42:24–45:44)

• Acting or directing? – “Acting.”
• Hardest part of acting: – “The battle of self consciousness. Knowing what you look like and what you sound like.”
• Hardest part of writing fiction: – “The bleeding for three hours at a time at your keyboard.”
• Most underappreciated film: – “Cloud Atlas.”
• Most quoted lines: – “Wilson!” / “Run, Forrest, run!” / “There’s no crying in baseball,” etc.
• Who should play Tom Hanks in a biopic? – “Because of deepfake technology and AI, I believe I can play myself.”

Closing Takeaways

This episode is a masterclass in humility, craft, and reflection. Tom Hanks shares his belief that progress—personal, artistic, and societal—is slow, complex, and ever unfinished, best achieved through decency, empathy, and community. The conversation is rich with stories and wisdom, from the mechanics of filmmaking to the heart of American life and the enduring power of keeping faith in each other.

“All glory is fleeting.” – Tom Hanks (45:34)

“Show up on time, know the text, and have an idea.” – Tom Hanks (Best advice—45:17)

For fans, creatives, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, values, and progress, this episode is a must-listen—and truly does justice to the breadth of Tom Hanks’s iconic career.