EXCLUSIVE Tom Hanks did the strangest thing on Friday night at the New York Film Festival: he skipped the traditional bows at the end of the screening at Alice Tully Hall for his “Captain Phillips.” Director Paul Greengrass appeared at the film’s conclusion and waved to the audience from lit box above our heads with his remarkable Somali actors who play pirates at sea. But Hanks was MIA, and he didn’t attend the big party that followed at the Harvard Club. This is completely unlike Hanks, who never fails to support his films, loves parties, and never tires of chatting with fans.
So where was he?
Sources tell me that Hanks is a victim of the Tax Man. He owns homes in California and New York state. But his principal domicile is California. That means he can only spend 183 days a year at his apartment in New York. There are no exceptions for celebrities at the IRS. And Hanks has spent roughly 149 days in New York this year already between rehearsing for and appearing in “Lucky Guy” on Broadway. His days are running out, it was explained to me. And Hanks still has to open “Captain Phillips” properly on October 10th, And he has “Saving Mr Banks” coming from Disney in December.
In order to do publicity, Hanks is going to have ration his days in New York very carefully. So his New York Film Festival appearance had to be extremely limited. He had to get back to Los Angeles pronto on Friday. And let me tell you, I was reading about this: the IRS is very strict. Apparently they really watch the whole bicoastal thing with actors, singers, celebs of all kinds. It’s the price you pay for being rich and famous.
Hanks did miss seeing a lot of friends who were looking for him at the Harvard Club including his “Lucky Guy” director George C. Wolfe.
So Tom, you are excused. We’re glad you could give us the day! PS The 149 days for “Lucky Guy” were worth it, anyway!
