Tom Hanks becomes honorary Greek citizen

·

Tom Hanks has been awarded honorary Greek citizenship.

“I am 110% Greek,” Tom Hanks said some time ago and now it is official.

Upon the initiative of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had met him in the past, Hanks and his family will receive honorary citizenship. The decision was signed today by President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Hanks frequently spends his summer holiday on the Greek island of Antiparos and his wife, actress and producer Rita Wilson, is of Greek and Bulgarian ancestry.

Under Greek law, honorary naturalisation may be granted to people ‘who have provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalisation serves the public interest’.

The actor has also been among the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church for many years. He converted to the Church just before marrying Rita in 1988.

There is considerable pride in Greece that Hanks, one of Hollywood’s most famous stars, has a summer house on the picturesque island of Antiparos and visits every year.

Hanks has said that he feels ‘110 per cent Greek… I’m more Greek than a Greek is’ by being married to Wilson, producer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

She was one of the main driving forces behind the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which she produced with Hanks and they both insisted on it being authentically Greek.

Nia Vardalos, who wrote the original play and starred in the subsequent film, said: “There was a scene where a character was wearing jeans and supposedly the family had just gotten back from church. Tom knew that no Greek Orthodox practitioner wears jeans to church, so he astutely made the appropriate changes that everyone else missed.”

Sourced via Associated Press.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

HACCI National Federation holds online event on Greek-Australian trade relations

HACCI National Federation marked a milestone with its inaugural online event ‘Bridging Markets: Greece-Australia Trade Insights’ on March 20.

Genocide mentioned in Victorian Parliament

The movement for the recognition of the Genocide of the Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks has gained momentum in Victorian Parliament this week.

Evzones to lead ANZAC tributes and cultural celebrations in Adelaide and Sydney

The Evzones will visit Australia from 23 April to 4 May 2025, participating in Anzac Day and a series of cultural events.

Consent education safe as Chanel Contos responds to Dutton’s ‘indoctrination’ pledge

Peter Dutton has pledged a Coalition government would review the national school curriculum to eliminate “indoctrination.”

Alexia Apostolakis joins Matildas as train-on player

Melbourne City defender, Alexia Apostolakis, has been called into the Matildas squad as a train-on player ahead of the upcoming friendlies.

You May Also Like

Youth from Saint Nectarios Burwood raise funds to give Christmas hampers to refugees

The Youth in Action group of Saint Nectarios Burwood raised money on October 7 to provide Christmas hampers to refugee families.

Greek extreme athlete warns about the impact of climate change

“I see a ray of light in the awareness my generation seems to have about the climate and pollution," Giannakou says.

Cooking with Greek Food Bloggers: Yiayia Rose’s Peynirli (Boat Shaped Pides)

This peyinirli or peinirli (Boat shaped pides) recipe is the Greek take on the traditional italian pizza or calzone.