Summary
After 30 years, the movieForrest Gumpremains one of the great classic movies of American cinema, but it’s worth looking back and seeing where the actors from the film are today.In 1994,Forrest Gumppremiered in theaters, where it topped the box office charts in its first week of releaseand dethronedThe Lion Kingfrom the number one spot just four weeks into its run. The film continued to rank high in the charts, and shortly after its initial release, it was nominated for 13 categories in the Academy Awards and went on to win six.
In no small part, the film’s critical and commercial success leaned on the incredible cast who brought the story to life. From the young actors who provided a backstory toForrest and his dear friend Jenny, to the family friends of an adult Forrest, the story benefits from incredible characters and performers.Now, 30 years after the movie first debuted, these performers have had a wealth of new experiences and roles that have seen them progress through new chapters in their lives.
15 Lessons We Learned From Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a moving tale of perseverance and viewers learned awesome life lessons that Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks' movie teaches.
Tom Hanks - Forrest Gump
Two-time Oscar Winner For Best Actor
Tom Hanks is undoubtedly the biggest star to come out ofForrest Gump.
Tom Hanks is undoubtedly the biggest star to come out ofForrest Gump.Despite appearing in TV and film roles since 1980, Hanks had his first big break in 1988 with the movieBig. This was a turning point in his career that led to numerous opportunities to play the leading man, and shine in the films where he appeared. His leading role in Robert Zemeckis’Forrest Gumpcame a few years later and once again marked another milestone in his career whenit netted the actor his second Oscar win just one year after winning for his role inPhiladelphia.
Hanks did not slow down in his journey to become one of the biggest actors in Hollywood and a consistent A-lister.Hanks went on to earn another three Oscar nominations, though no wins, for his roles inSaving Private Ryan,Cast Away, and most recently,A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.Hanks also landed the iconic role of voicing Woody in thePixarToy Storymovies, and he continues to star in movies today. Hanks is easily one of the biggest stars in the industry, and has earned a reputation for being one of the nicest actors in Hollywood.
The Forrest Gump Novel Was Very Different (Every Change Explained)
Forrest Gump was based on a novel, and that novel was a very different story when compared to the film. Here are all of the major changes.
Michael Conner Humphreys - Young Forrest Gump
Two Roles AfterForrest Gump
Michael Conner Humphreys deliveredan outstanding performance inForrest Gumpas the younger version of the title characterwhen he was just nine years old. In addition, this role was his first ever accredited role for TV or film. However, due to his young age, Humphreys chose to continue pursuing an education and largely only appeared in high school productions.After graduating from high school, Humphreys chose to join the military.
Some years later, he would once again resume acting to appear in an independent World War II movie,Pathfinders: In The Company of Strangersin 2011. Following this,he again left acting behind, and worked in security before eventually settling into a role as a teacher(viaPaul Leslie). In 2021, he also briefly appeared in the TV series,A Knight’s Endfor one episode.
Robin Wright - Jenny Curran
A Star In The Streaming Era
Playing opposite Tom Hanks as Jenny Curran,Robin Wright delivered an incredible performance that matched Hanks' talent effortlessly.Jenny endures a complex life that takes her far away from her childhood crush, before eventually coming together years later, introducing Forrest to their son, and finally marrying. However, the hardships persist for Jenny and she dies of a terminal illness one year later.
Wright clearly showcases a wealth of talent and versatility in this film alone as she explores a character at critical and various moments in her life.Following the success ofForrest Gump, Wright continued to play strong, complex women in various movies.She appeared inUnbreakableas the long-suffering wife of Bruce Willis' character, David Dunn. She has also recently appeared in the Netflix feature film starring Millie Bobby Brown,Damsel, where she plays Queen Isabella.
Hanna R. Hall - Young Jenny Curran
The Youngest Actress In Sofia Coppola’sThe Virgin Suicides
Tackling the role of a young Jenny, Hanna R. Hall, frequently appearing asHanna Hall, has also continued acting since her appearance inForrest Gump.Hall made her acting debut asJenny inForrest Gump, and she did an incredible job conveying the young, wild and free spirit of the girl who would go on to be the object of Forrest’s affections far into the future. However, she did not stop there.
Hall went on to play pivotal roles in notable films like Sofia Coppola’sThe Virgin Suicides, Rob Zombie’sHalloween, and several other projects.In 2009, she also played opposite Val Kilmer in the independent movieAmerican Cowslip. Since then, she has had several minor roles in TV and film.
Gary Sinise - Lieutenant Dan Taylor
A Longstanding Role InCSI: NY
Gary Sinise plays the hardened war hero, Lt. Dan Taylor.Lt. Dan is not a particularly warm character, but he does have a special relationship with Forrest, and Sinise is responsible for imbuing that role with layers and meaning in a way that felt painful and authentic. Forrest is in many ways a lovable idiot that has the world fall into his lap. Dan, on the other hand, tried to give his life to something bigger than himself and ended up losing his legs, before being chewed up and spat back into a system that wasn’t equipped for him.
Sinise, however, has continued to have a long and colorful career sinceForrest Gump. The following year, Sinise won aGolden Globe for his portrayal of Harry S. Truman in the TV movie, Truman.He also appeared inApollo 13andThe Green Mile,where he reunited with Hanks. However, much of his other success was in his work on TV, such ashislongstanding role onCSI: NYand the connected shows, and more recently in13 Reasons Why, where he played Clay’s therapist, Dr. Robert Ellman.
Forrest Gump Timeline Explained (In Full)
The timeline in Forrest Gump spanned several decades and included fictional and historical moments alike—and that’s precisely what made it work.
Mykelti Williamson - Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue
A Well Known Face In Hollywood
Mykelti Williamson appears in one of the most memorable roles inForrest Gump, asGump’s best friend and business partner, Benjamin Buford Blue, nicknamed Bubba.Bubba and Forrest have similar interests, and the two men find great joy in each other’s company. Williamson embodied the character in a way that was unrecognizable from the actor, and his other roles.
To that effect, Williamson has been one of the most prolific and sought after actors in Hollywood since appearing inForrest Gump.With more than 120 credits to his name, Williamson has become a well known face in Hollywood, even if he is usually in a supporting role. Some of his most well-regarded performances came in highly acclaimed films like12 Angry MenandCon Air, but even on the small screen, Williamson has had stints on big name shows likeBoomtownand24.
Sally Field - Mrs. Gump
Great Supporting Roles
Sally Field was the most well knownand acclaimed actor to appear inForrest Gumpwhen the movie was initially released.Having won two Oscars for her earlier work as a leading lady, Field was a safe bet to stand out in the movie, and she did a wonderful job playing Forrest’s aging mother. Despite playing a middle-aged mother and growing to become a grandmother and passing away in the film, Field remains healthy and continues to work in Hollywood to this day, at age 77.
Following the success ofForrest Gump, Field has had other notable roles, but mainly sticks to supporting roles.She was again nominated for an Oscar after appearing in the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the acclaimed 2012 movieLincoln,starring Daniel Day-Lewis. In addition, she played a pivotal role in The Amazing Spider-Man movies starring Andrew Garfield, where she played Aunt May. In all of her work, she delivers emotion and gravitas which elevates the project beyond the ordinary.
Forrest Gump True Story: Every Historical Event & How Accurate They Are
Forrest Gump documents the latter half of the 20th century, comically inserting Forrest in major historical events. How accurate are the portrayals?
Haley Joel Osment - Forrest Gump Jr.
While Hanks may be the biggest name in Hollywood fromForrest Gump, another actor may hold the title for the film’s best success story. A young actor, who only appears briefly at the end of the film,Haley Joel Osment, made his theatrical debut inForrest Gumpas Forrest Gump Jr.. Even at this early stage in his career, Osment displayed a level of maturity and intelligence that far exceeded his young age. Just a few years after his role in Forrest Gump,Osment was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role inThe Sixth Sense.
In the years that followed,Osment would go on to star in smash hit movies, includingThe Sixth Senseopposite Bruce Willis, andA.I. Artificial Intelligence, where he took the lead for the entire feature film. BeyondOsment’s career as a child star,Osment has continued to work in Hollywood, and developed a healthy career as a voice actorfor animated TV shows and video games, including voicing Sora inKingdom Heartsgames. At present, Osment is set to make waves in season 2 ofWednesdayon Netflix. FromForrest Gumpto the present, 30 years later, Osment’s career has been a whirlwind.
Forrest Gump
Cast
Forrest Gump is a drama film released in 1994, starring Tom Hanks as the titular character. The film explores the life of a man with a low IQ who inadvertently shapes several historical events, while his personal journey remains centered on his unrequited love for childhood friend Jenny.
