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Hanks to take the stage
27/01/2006 12:41 - (SA)
Los Angeles - Double Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks will take a starring role at this year's Academy Awards as a presenter of the coveted golden statuettes, organisers said on Thursday.
Hanks, 49, has appeared in more than 50 films. He won back to back best actor Oscars for his roles in 1993's Philadelphia and 1994's Forrest Gump, and has also become one of Hollywood's most powerful producers and directors.
The actor, who shot to fame in 1984's mermaid tale Splash opposite Daryl Hannah, also won Academy Award nominations for his leading roles in 1988's Big, the 1998 war drama Saving Private Ryan and Cast Away (2000).
His other film credits include The Terminal, Catch Me If You Can, Road to Perdition, Apollo 13, and A League of Their Own.
He will next be seen in the movie version of Dan Brown's best-selling book the The Da Vinci Code.
Hanks joins a star-studded and growing list of stars who have signed up to hand out Oscars when the ceremony is held in Hollywood on March 5.
Other confirmed presenters are Hollywood darling Jennifer Aniston, star of the hit US television show Friends and the ex-wife of screen heart-throb Brad Pitt, who is now expecting a baby with Angelina Jolie.
The now single Aniston has starred in big screen movies including last year's Rumour Has It ... " with Kevin Costner, and will be seen next in Friends with Money, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last week.
Also presenting awards are 2005 best actress and best actor Academy Award winners Hilary Swank and Jamie Foxx, and last year's winner of the best supporting actor Oscar, Morgan Freeman, and starlet Jessica Alba.
Nominations for the 78th annual Academy Awards will be announced in Beverly Hills on January 31.
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South Africa
