Famed actor Tom Hanks, winner of several Academy Awards, has sparked concerns about his health following an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” on December 21. The actor’s noticeable hand tremors during the show led to discussions on social media about his well-being.
The 68-year-old actor took part in a star-studded event on the show alongside other multiple-time hosts such as Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson, Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, John Mulaney, and Alec Baldwin, who has hosted the show 17 times, to welcome Martin Short into their distinguished group.
In the show’s opening segment, Hanks was seen with shaking hands while handling drinks, which led to speculation about his health on social media. One viewer even queried on a social media platform, “Did anyone notice Tom Hanks’ hands shaking unnaturally in this sketch?”
The tremors drew parallels to former President Bill Clinton, 78, who has previously attributed his own hand tremors to natural aging rather than a health condition.
While on the show, the star of “Forrest Gump” also made references to his past health issues, ironically claiming he’s “never had Covid,” despite his publicized battle with the virus in Australia during the shooting of “Elvis” in 2020.
Tom Hanks described his COVID-19 experience during a 2020 radio interview, highlighting severe fatigue that prevented basic exercises. A healthcare worker bluntly diagnosed him after observing his symptoms, stating “You have COVID-19,” in what Hanks perceived as a condescending manner.
Following his recent appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Hanks’ visible tremors drew widespread attention on social media. Some expressed concern, while others defended the actor, citing his age as a possible reason. As one fan put it, “Considering he’s almost 70! Yeah, older people’s hands tend to shake a little.”
Earlier in June 2022, a similar incident took place at the Australian premiere of “Elvis,” where the seasoned actor had trouble holding his microphone steady while addressing the crowd. Hanks, who disclosed his diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes in 2013, switched the microphone between hands before finally using both hands to stabilize it.
Many fans rallied to his defense, suggesting his medical condition could be the cause. One fan mentioned similar symptoms in diabetic family members during periods of low blood sugar.
During his initial diagnosis on “The Late Show With David Letterman,” Hanks revealed his doctor’s straightforward assessment of his persistent blood sugar problems. Later, in a candid interview with Radio Times, he discussed his lifestyle before the diagnosis, admitting to poor dietary habits and referring to himself as a member of a “lazy American generation” now dealing with health repercussions.
The actor’s career has seen dramatic weight fluctuations, including a 30-pound gain for “A League of Their Own” and a 55-pound loss for “Cast Away.” Hanks has suggested that these weight changes, along with poor nutrition and a lack of exercise, may have contributed to his health issues.
His diagnosed condition, Type 2 diabetes, is characterized by the body’s difficulty in regulating blood glucose. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels as the body fails to use insulin effectively. While glucose, derived from food, is the body’s main source of energy, diabetes hampers its efficient distribution to cells. Despite possible health complications, proper management can help control the condition.
According to medical experts, hand tremors can be caused by a variety of factors. Mild shaking, known as physiologic tremors, is common and can be exacerbated by factors such as caffeine, stress, or fatigue. More noticeable tremors could be a sign of essential tremor (ET).
ET, a neurological condition affecting around six million people in the United States, primarily impacts hand movements during daily tasks. Although benign, it usually progresses over time and is more common with age, affecting nearly 5% of those over 65 and 20% of those over 95.
Hanks stated that he noticed significant changes in his health around the age of 35.
The case of Tom Hanks underscores the importance of regular health monitoring and keeping health professionals informed about any worrying symptoms, regardless of one’s age or professional status.