How Tom Hanks Walked Away from a Salary on ‘Forrest Gump’ Yet Raked in $65 Million

While Tom Hanks did not accept an initial salary for the iconic 1994 film "Forrest Gump," he certainly didn't leave empty-handed. Opting for a share of the box office earnings instead of a conventional paycheck, this decision would prove transformative. The film grossed over $678 million globally, yielding Hanks between $60 million and $65 million.The arrangement highlighted Hanks’ faith in the project and his close collaboration with director Robert Zemeckis. Faced with studio reluctance to fund pivotal scenes, including the iconic cross-country run, they chose to cover some costs personally by sacrificing part of their salaries for a higher profit share.Hanks later shared this bold move in a 2022 interview with “In Depth with Graham Bensinger.” Their daring investment paid off, leading to multiple Academy Awards wins, including Hanks’ second consecutive Best Actor Oscar. Now, he prepares for the June 2026 debut of “Toy Story 5,” in which he reprises his role as Woody. The beloved franchise has amassed over $3.2 billion in worldwide box office receipts.

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