Tom Hanks on Living in New York, Meeting Joe DiMaggio & His New Play This World of Tomorrow

In a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! , two-time Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks shared anecdotes from his life in New York, his experiences meeting baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, and details about his upcoming play, This World of Tomorrow . The conversation was filled with humor and nostalgia as Hanks recounted his journey from a young aspiring actor to a beloved Hollywood icon.

Kimmel welcomed Hanks with enthusiasm, highlighting his new play, which is set to preview on October 30th at The Shed in New York City. The play is based on two short stories from Hanks’ book Uncommon Type , and he expressed excitement about its upcoming performances.

Reflecting on his early days in New York, Hanks recalled moving to the city at age 22 and living in Hell’s Kitchen. He humorously compared navigating Brooklyn to exploring “Middle Earth,” admitting that he often struggles with directions in the borough. “Unless I can see Barclays Center and the Watchtower building, I do not know where I am,” he joked.

Kimmel and Hanks reminisced about the iconic FAO Schwarz toy store, where Hanks famously danced on the giant piano in Big . Hanks revealed that his children recently visited the store and recreated that memorable scene. “When I need that ego boost, I pop in and bang out ‘Heart and Soul,’” he said with a laugh.

However, he also shared a humorous moment from when he showed Big to his kids, which led to an awkward question from his daughter about a scene featuring Elizabeth Perkins. “Why is she doing that?” she asked, prompting laughter from the audience.

During the interview, Hanks described a poignant visit to his old apartment building years later. He recalled how the smells and sights of the place brought back vivid memories, including the nostalgia of raising his son Colin there. “The lighting was the same, the green tile and floors smelled the same,” he reflected, emphasizing how powerful sensory memories can be.

Hanks shared a story about visiting the apartment for rent and discovering that it had changed significantly since he lived there, with rent prices skyrocketing from $285 to ten times that amount. “I don’t know how anybody affords to live in Manhattan,” he remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.

One of the highlights of Hanks’ stories was his encounter with baseball icon Joe DiMaggio. He described a dinner at a Manhattan restaurant where he was introduced to DiMaggio, recalling how starstruck he felt. “When you meet Joe DiMaggio, the only thing you can say is, ‘Oh my god, you are Joe DiMaggio,’” he said.

Their conversation flowed seamlessly as they discussed baseball lore, with Hanks expressing his admiration for DiMaggio’s effortless talent. DiMaggio’s response to Hanks’ compliment about making the game look easy resonated deeply: “Oh yeah, it looked easy but not in here,” he said, highlighting the hard work behind the façade of greatness.

Shifting focus back to his play, Hanks explained that This World of Tomorrow explores themes of time travel and nostalgia, inspired by his own reflections on the past. He invited the audience to visit The Shed, located in Hudson Yards, emphasizing that it’s a unique venue with 300 seats for an intimate theater experience.

The play features a talented cast, including Kelly O’Hara and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and Hanks expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “It’s a large cast, and we’re all working hard to bring these stories to life,” he said.

Tom Hanks’ appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! was a delightful blend of humor, nostalgia, and insight into his life as an actor and his experiences in New York City. As he prepares for the opening of This World of Tomorrow , Hanks continues to captivate audiences with his storytelling and charm.

With his unique ability to connect personal anecdotes to broader themes, Hanks reminds us all of the power of memories and the importance of embracing the journey, both in life and on stage. For those in New York City, attending his play promises to be a memorable experience filled with the same warmth and wit that Hanks brings to every role.