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Tom Hanks, the star of romantic films including "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail" has been selected by the American Film Institute (AFI) to receive the 30th AFI Life Achievement Award. The tribute on June 12, 2002, will be held in the new Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland. AFI's Life Achievement Award and the Academy Awards are the only two film award programs to be presented at the Kodak Theatre.

"Tom Hanks is American film's Everyman for a new generation. It is fitting that he receive the 30th AFI Life Achievement Award from the nation's preeminent cultural arts organization as his talent and commitment to his craft is only matched by his great respect for and understanding of American history," stated Mr. Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees.

Tom Hanks has an off-screen appeal that reminds of former Life Achievement Award recipients James Stewart and Henry Fonda. Hanks has been nominated five times for the Academy Award(R) and has won two Oscars, becoming the first man since Spencer Tracy to receive back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor. Hanks' first film, "Splash," launched his career as a leading man. He next starred in "Big" (1988) and received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor. After starring opposite Meg Ryan in "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), Hanks starred in "Philadelphia" (1993) and went on to win the Academy Award(R) for Best Actor. The following year, Hanks repeated his Oscar win for Best Actor, playing the title role in "Forrest Gump" (1994).

In 1995, Hanks starred in "Apollo 13" and provided the voice of Woody in the animated film "Toy Story." In 1996, Hanks wrote and directed "That Thing You Do!" (1996). Hanks appeared in three projects in 1998: "HBO's From the Earth to the Moon," "Saving Private Ryan" and "You've Got Mail." In 1999, Hanks returned as the voice of Woody in "Toy Story 2" and starred in "The Green Mile."

In 2000, Hanks starred in "Cast Away." In that same year, he also hosted "Shooting War," a two-hour television special about WWII combat cameramen. In 2001, Hanks produced (with Steven Spielberg) "Band of Brothers" for HBO. Hanks also co-wrote one episode and directed one episode. Most recently, Hanks has completed the starring role in "The Road to Perdition," scheduled for release in 2002.

The highest honor given for a career in film, the AFI Life Achievement Award was established by the AFI Board of Trustees on February 26, 1973, and is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria: The recipient should be one "whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time." In 1993, the trustees extended the criteria to encompass "individuals with active careers and work of significance yet to be accomplished."

SOURCE: American Film Institute