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Tom Hanks’ Acting Masterclass: How One Line Can Teach You Everything About Truthful Performance
Written by Mark Pegg on 2nd April 2025
"There are no small parts. There are only small actors."
— Tom Hanks

At a recent talk at the Oxford Union, Tom Hanks delivered more than just a lecture—he gave a deeply personal, hands-on acting lesson that transcended the stage.

It all began with a simple line:

“Is there something I can do for you?”
In the hands of a truthful actor, that line becomes a masterclass in empathy, character, and storytelling.

🎬 The Power of Context
Hanks asked the audience to say the line aloud. Then, he gave them three different emotional contexts to explore.

Each situation revealed how drastically intention changes delivery—and how a good actor must adapt accordingly.

1. The Gentle Version

You're having a perfect day. You’re about to meet someone you really like. But suddenly, an elderly person trips and falls in front of you.

“Is there something I can do for you?”
The line becomes warm. Present. Full of care.

2. The Robotic Version

You’re a tired City Hall worker. You’ve been saying the same line all day.

“Is there something I can do for you?”
It becomes flat. Dismissive. Mechanical.

3. The Defensive Version

You’re a shopkeeper in a tough neighborhood. You don’t trust the person walking in. You’ve been robbed before.

“Is there something I can do for you?”
Now, it’s suspicious. Guarded. On edge.

🧠 The Lesson: Truth Lives in Behavior
Tom Hanks’ challenge to the audience?

“Hit the marks. Tell the truth.”
Acting isn’t about “pretending.” It’s about recreating truth in the moment. The same line can mean a hundred different things depending on your inner world—and the world around your character.

🔁 Then He Flipped It
Now, the audience took on the other side of the interaction with a new line:

“It’s all right. I’m okay.”
Again—same words. But depending on the scenario, it could mean:

Embarrassment (after falling)
Defensiveness (after being mistreated)
Fear (after being profiled)
🎭 This Was More Than Acting
This wasn’t just about stage technique.

It was a deeper exercise in empathy—and the responsibility actors carry when portraying human emotion.

"You can be kind and fake it.
You can be bored and fake it.
You can be angry and fake it.
But the audience always knows when you're faking it."
True performance is grounded in real behavior, not just expression.

💬 The Bigger Takeaway
Even the smallest role can carry massive emotional weight when told truthfully. As Hanks concluded:

"Sometimes the smallest moment—the smallest line—can be the most powerful thing in the story."
🎓 What You Can Learn as an Actor

At Acting Academy, we believe what Hanks demonstrated is at the core of great acting:

Intent drives delivery.
Context creates meaning.
Truth makes performance unforgettable.
Whether you have a full monologue or a single line, your job is the same:
Tell the truth. Feel the moment. Serve the story.

🔗 Interested in mastering techniques like this?
Explore our Programs & Classes for professional actor training rooted in truth and empathy.

📌 Want more lessons from great performers?
Follow the Who’s Who series for exclusive insights and analysis from the world’s most impactful actors.


About Acting Academy
Acting Academy offers professional online acting courses, combining flexible weekly lessons, tutorials, and practical workshops. Tailored for all actors, it includes a graduation showcase for agents and casting directors, plus LAMDA exam preparation for those seeking recognized qualifications. Membership options start from £18.99 per month with a 14-day free trial, and premium members enjoy perks like free tutorials. It's designed to help students learn at their own pace while providing access to industry opportunities.

About Author: Mark Pegg

Mark Pegg trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Art and became a popular face on British television screens in the role of Alfie Kane in EASTENDERS and Tony Wier in the BAFTA winning and critically acclaimed OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH. 

Mark’s film producing credits include HEROES & VILLAINS released in the UK by Lionsgate and starring James Corden and Jenny Agutter, the award winning documentary TOVARISCH: I AM NOT DEAD and most recently DREAM ON starring Richard Coyle, Sienna Guillory and Sam Torrence. Forthcoming projects on the slate include RED CARD a thriller scripted by veteran writer Don Shaw set in the murky world of professional football. 
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