Hollywood A-Lister Spotted on the New York City Subway

Riding the subway is rare enough for a celebrity of his caliber, but doing it incognito? That's another level.

This Oscar-winning actor surprised New Yorkers when he rode the subway alongside fellow train commuters in Manhattan on Tuesday, October 21. Fans were both stunned and amused to see the "Forrest Gump" star choosing public transportation, something rarely done by celebrities.

Masked Mystery on the Train

Tom Hanks, 69, was spotted taking the 6 line through the city. Dressed casually in a green jacket, a matching knitted beanie, black jeans, and boots, Hanks blended in with other commuters.

However, what truly caught people's attention was the white protective mask covering most of his face, sparking plenty of chatter online.

Commuters Stunned by the Unexpected Encounter

One curious user simply asked, "Tom Hanks?" while another wasn't so sure, wondering, "That Hanks or the Whiplash dude?" A few weren't convinced at all, confidently saying, "That ain't him."

Others were more focused on his choice of attire. One person asked, "Whats [sic] up with the mask," and another questioned, "Why is he wearing a mask?" One amused commenter joked, "Is it 2020 all over again?" But amid the confusion, one fan defended the actor's choice, "He's wearing a mask to be left alone. Let him be. Who cares?"

While not everyone recognized him immediately, Tom Hanks' understated subway appearance reminded many that even Hollywood legends sometimes just want a quiet, ordinary day — away from the spotlight.

The sighting comes months after Hanks appeared in an "SNL" skit alongside fellow industry heavy hitters, where his body movement caught fans' attention. While a sketch shared on the show was certainly entertaining, netizens couldn't help but notice something worrying about Hanks' hands.

In the festive sketch celebrating Martin Short's induction into "Saturday Night Live's Five-Timers Club," Hanks took center stage among a lineup of Hollywood's most celebrated stars.

The premise revolved around an extravagant annual Christmas party, hosted in an opulent setting that evoked warmth and tradition. A decked-out Christmas tree sparkled in the background, flanked by bookshelves adorned with holiday garlands and red stockings.

Dressed in a navy blue robe with the club's insignia, Hanks shared the stage with fellow A-listers, including Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy, and other entertainment powerhouses.

The skit was brimming with light-hearted humor, witty repartee, and self-referential jabs, and the audience frequently erupted into cheers, delighted by the star-studded interactions and comedic timing. From Short's animated gestures to Fey's sharp quips, every moment of the skit oozed charm and camaraderie.

However, eagle-eyed viewers couldn't help but notice subtle physical signs regarding Hanks. While sitting with his hands placed in his lap, Hanks' hands appeared to shake slightly.

A similar tremor was visible as he held two drinks, before passing one of them to Short. Although fleeting, these instances sparked a wave of online discourse.

"Does Tom Hanks have a hand tremor? Watch his left hand," remarked a netizen. Another expressed sorrow, "So sad to see Tom Hanks hand tremmors 😭 he's such a gem, hope we can have him forever [sic] ❤️."

Responding to this sentiment, someone else said, "I agree! I need to take a closer look at this. Perhaps it was from Caffeine. Let's hope so."

Others shared their hopes that Hanks' health is in good condition, with one user simply stating, "So sad hope he's ok."

More emotional reactions followed, with yet another observer asserting, "Tom Hanks is looking so old did anyone else clock his hands shaking I'll cry rn."

One user compared Hanks to a political public figure, noting, "Tom Hanks was just on 'SNL' and he looked ROUGH and I noticed his hands now have the same shake that Bill Clinton has acquired." "Did anyone notice Tom Hanks's hands shaking unnaturally in this sketch?" queried another spectator.

Before his widely discussed appearance on "SNL," Hanks reflected on his physicality and aging in a candid interview with Entertainment Tonight at the beginning of November.

When asked if he ever wished he could return to a younger version of himself, the actor gave a firm yet humorous response, "No. Look, I'm 68 years old. The hardest for us was when we were playing 35. That time where your metabolism stops, gravity starts tearing you down, your bones start wearing off, you stand differently."

Hanks, however, revealed that he feels he's in better condition now than he was during his younger years, "I think I'm in better shape now. You know why? Because my kids are grown up, I'm getting decent exercise, and I can eat right. You can't do that when you're 35! Life is such a burden."

The actor also explained his current approach to maintaining his health with a mix of realism and light-heartedness. "68 years old, type 2 diabetes, just maintaining the temple, baby. That's all I'm trying to do. That's it," he concluded with a smile.

The concern over Hanks' trembling hands during his "SNL" appearance isn't the first time he has worried the public with the same issue.

Reportedly, in 2022, during a promotional event for his film "Elvis" — in which he stars alongside Austin Butler (who plays the iconic Elvis Presley) — Hanks' shaking hands also drew attention.

While speaking into a microphone at the event, his hands began shaking. Attempting to steady himself, the actor shifted his grip by placing his left hand below his right on the microphone. At another point, he even switched hands briefly in what seemed to be an effort to maintain control.

Although Hanks has yet to address the hand tremors that fans have observed, the actor has previously been open about his health challenges.

In 2020, Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, announced they had contracted COVID-19. At the time, Hanks shared the details of their illness with characteristic candor and humor.

Speaking about their experience, Hanks explained that their symptoms differed and the discomfort they endured lasted about two weeks.

"My wife lost her sense of taste and smell, she had severe nausea, she had a much higher fever than I did. I just had crippling body aches, I was very fatigued all the time and I couldn't concentrate on anything for more than about 12 minutes. That last bit is kinda like my natural state anyway," he added, chuckling.

Despite his lighthearted tone, Hanks also addressed the seriousness of his health at the time, acknowledging his pre-existing conditions. "When we were in the hospital, I said: 'I'm 63, I have type 2 diabetes, I had a stent in my heart – am I a red flag case?'" he recalled.

However, he noted that doctors reassured him as long as his temperature didn't spike and his lungs stayed clear of pneumonia, there wasn't a major cause for alarm.

"I'm not one who wakes up in the morning wondering if I'm going to see the end of the day or not. I'm pretty calm about that," Hanks said of the situation overall.

While the hand tremors remain unaddressed, Hanks' openness about his past health struggles serves as a reminder of his resilience and ability to confront challenges head-on.