Mama Gump said you have to do the best with what God gave you, and Tom Hanks sure has done some great things!
It's been 20 years since the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump first hit theaters. Before Tom was cast in this life-changing role, though, he had to audition just like everybody else! He also had to read with the actors auditioning to star opposite him, which included Robin Wright and an adorable little Haley Joel Osment.
Fortunately for us, some of Tom's audition tape footage still exists today! Regal Reels posted a YouTube clip from the audition (h/t Vanity Fair) which shows Tom effortlessly demonstrating his acting chops alongside his future co-stars.
We've had many movie wonders from Tom since Forrest Gump's 1994 release, and co-stars Robin and Haley have both remained in the spotlight as well. But what about the child actors who played young Forrest and young Jenny (Robin's character)?
In honor of the movie's 20th anniversary, we took a look at what they're up to today! Young Forrest, whose real name is Michael Conner Humphreys, took a break from snow biz for a bit, joined the army (in real life) and then returned to his acting roots to play a soldier in an independent film.
As for young Jenny, played by Hanna Hall? She stayed the course with Hollywood and has steadily worked in a variety of film and TV roles since her Forrest Gump days.
Michael, who played the child version of Tom's character, didn't choose to continue the course as a child actor, but he has fond memories of his time on set—particularly with Tom Hanks and Sally Field.
"Both of them were excellent people," he told Fox News, "just like you would expect them to be. "