How Old Tom Hanks In Big

So, picture this. It's 1988, and our boy Tom Hanks, fresh off his breakthrough in "Splash," is about to take on a role that'll make him a household name. We're talking about "Big," the movie that turned a grown man into a 13-year-old boy, and not in some creepy "Benjamin Button" way.

Tom Hanks: The Boy Who Never Grew Up

In "Big," Hanks plays Josh Baskin, a kid at heart who makes a wish to be "big" and wakes up the next morning to find he's grown up overnight. Now, you might be thinking, "How old was Tom Hanks when he played a 13-year-old?" Well, buckle up, because it's time for a surprise.

When "Big" hit theaters, Hanks was a ripe old 32. Yes, you read that right. The same age as some of your parents, or maybe even grandparents, depending on how young you are. Can you imagine your grandpa playing a 13-year-old? No? Well, neither could Hollywood, which is why they cast Hanks as the adult version of Josh.

Hanks: The Master of Disguise

Now, you might be wondering how Hanks pulled off playing a 13-year-old. Was it the high-waisted jeans? The bowl cut? The fact that he was shorter than most of the actual kids in the movie? No, no, and yes. The secret to Hanks' youthful charm was his ability to channel his inner child.

In an interview, Hanks once said, "I just tried to remember what it was like to be 13. And then I tried to remember what it was like to be 32 and pretend to be 13." It's like he was playing a game of "Let's Pretend," but with a multi-million dollar budget and a whole lot of hair gel.

Growing Up is Hard to Do

But Hanks didn't just play a kid; he played a kid who suddenly had to navigate the adult world. And let me tell you, it was a wild ride. There's a scene where Josh, now a grown-up, tries to order a toy from FAO Schwarz. The salesman asks him, "What are you, a kid or something?" To which Hanks responds, "No, I'm a big kid." It's a line that could've come straight from Hanks' own life, considering he was basically playing a kid for the entire movie.

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And speaking of FAO Schwarz, did you know that the iconic piano scene was almost cut from the movie? Yes, you read that right. The scene where Hanks dances on the giant piano, making it play "Heart and Soul," was nearly left on the cutting room floor. Can you imagine a world without that scene? I can't. Thankfully, someone had the good sense to keep it in, and the rest is history.

Hanks: The Piano Man

But here's where things get even more interesting. You know how Hanks was dancing on that piano, making it play music? Well, that wasn't just acting. No, no, no. Hanks actually learned to play the piano for that scene. And not just any piano, but a 15-foot-tall piano. That's right, folks. While the rest of us were struggling to master "Chopsticks," Hanks was dancing his way through "Heart and Soul" on a piano that was taller than he was.

And if that wasn't impressive enough, here's a fun fact for you: Hanks learned to play the piano in just three weeks. That's right. In the time it takes most of us to binge-watch a TV show, Hanks learned to play the piano well enough to dance on it. Now that's what I call a quick study.

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Hanks: The Time Traveler

But let's not forget the most important question of all: How did Josh Baskin become a kid again at the end of the movie? Did he find a magical fountain? Did he make another wish? No, no, no. He did something even more extraordinary. He grew down.

That's right, folks. After a whole movie of being a kid stuck in an adult's body, Josh finally grows down to his proper age. And how old was he, you ask? Well, according to the movie, he was 12. But let's be real here. After all the adventures he'd been through, he was probably emotionally about 35. But hey, at least he got to keep his toy piano.

And there you have it, folks. The story of how Tom Hanks, at the ripe old age of 32, played a 13-year-old boy who wished to be "big" and ended up growing down. It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as the '80s. So the next time you watch "Big," remember to appreciate the magic of Tom Hanks, the master of disguise, the piano man, and the time traveler. And if you ever find yourself wishing to be "big," just remember: be careful what you wish for. You might just end up playing a 13-year-old for the rest of your life. Or at least until the movie's over.