It’s one of the most iconic films, but many forget that Tom Hanks plays two roles in it

Every now and then, Hollywood actors take on more than one role in the same movie. Think Kevin Kline in Wild Wild West, Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks!, Warwick Davis in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future Part II, Jean-Claude Van Damme in Double Impact, or Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor, where Murphy famously played seven different characters.

But did you know Tom Hanks also pulled double duty in one of his most iconic films? That’s right — in the Oscar-winning Forrest Gump (1994), directed by Robert Zemeckis, Hanks secretly played two roles.

The secret cameo

Thirty years ago, Hanks won his second Academy Award for bringing Forrest Gump — the sweet, unlikely hero who defies all odds — to life. The film has since become a timeless classic, often ranked among the greatest movies ever made.

Yet beyond the title character, Hanks briefly appears as another figure: Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general and the first leader of the Ku Klux Klan. In a quick flashback sequence styled like old archival footage, Hanks’ face is shown as Forrest’s ancestor. Early in the film, Forrest explains that his mother told him they were “kind of named after him,” and the cameo adds a darkly ironic twist.

In other words, Hanks plays both the lovable protagonist and his polar opposite — one of the most notorious racists in American history.

Two actors, two Forrests

Here’s another fun fact: Forrest Gump himself was portrayed by two actors. While Hanks embodied the adult Forrest, young Forrest was played by Michael Conner Humphreys — the boy immortalized by the line, “Run, Forrest, run!” Humphreys never pursued a Hollywood career despite offers, including a role in The Brady Bunch sitcom. Instead, he followed a path not unlike Forrest’s own, serving in the US military.

Where to watch Forrest Gump

For American audiences, Forrest Gump is currently streaming on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video (rent or buy), Apple TV+, Paramount+, and other major services.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.