re: Is Tom Hanks the GOAT?

Is the competition open only to men? I think Meryl Streep is better than Hanks, and I love Hanks.

Hanks' best quality is his likeability. His Hanksness shine through in every role. He certainly can deliver quality characters, but you don't see him go too far outside of himself.

To me, he's about on par with Paul Newman, maybe better by a nose, but not much.

Lots of other actors are a little better at providing riveting unique performances where the actor disappears and the character emerges, but they may not have that star quality.

John Torturro is one of many who most readily comes to mind. Of course, he's not a leading man type, but his performances are amazing, movie after movie. The Coens really know how to use this guy!

I think that of the leading man type actors, I still wouldn't put Hanks above Brando or even Hoffman. As great as Hanks is, has he performed a role better than Brando in On the Water Front, or A Streetcar Named Desire, or The Godfather? Or better than Hoffman in The Graduate, Tootsie, or Midnight Cowboy?

What are the 3 top roles for Hanks? For me it's Big, Forrest Gump, and Cast Away. That's solid work right there! I guess, after all my meandering, I'd say he's in the discussion for GOAT, but only a groomsman and not the groom.