Tom Hanks will be celebrated by the National Archives Foundation in Washington in October (17) for playing a role in highlighting American history throughout his film career.
The movie veteran is the 2017 recipient of the organization’s Records of Achievement Award for his work in films such as Saving Private Ryan, Apollo 13 and Bridge of Spies, which reflect key moments in American history, reported Reuters.
The prestigious award is given to individuals who bring a broad awareness of U.S. history through their work the foundation explained. Hanks‘ frequent collaborator Steven Spielberg is a previous recipient of the award.
The 61-year-old confessed he is “dazzled” to be a part of the event, and considers delving into history a key part of his job as an actor.
“As a dive into archives of almost any kind is, to me, a swim in the finest of waters,” the two-time Oscar-winner told the news outlet in a statement.
“Part of my job has always been one not far from that of a lay-Historian, to understand that I am a part of the documenting of the human condition and the American idea, even in the silliest of stories.”
Hanks will be presented with the award at a gala event on 21 October held at the National Archives Museum in Washington, the nonprofit organization shared in a statement, adding it is honoring the actor for “for his powerful illumination of the American story through his vast body of work in film and television during the past four decades”.
“He’s served in World War II (in both the European and Pacific Theaters), negotiated for the U.S. in the Cold War, fought in Vietnam, worked in Congress, and led the space program,” David Ferriero, archivist of the United States and board member of the National Archives Foundation, joked.
The Forrest Gump star, who was recently seen in movie Sully, based on pilot Chesley Sullenberger’s 2009 emergency landing of a passenger flight on the Hudson River, is currently back with Spielberg for movie The Papers, another historically-based drama that tells the story of informant Mark Felt, aka Deep Throat, who helped journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncover the Watergate scandal in 1974.
