Run Forrest Run: Facts Behind The Movie Of The Man From Alabama

Perfecting The Southern Accent

Photo Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images

One of the key characteristics of the slow-witted, kind-hearted man was his distinct accent. Of course, that’s not the real accent of Tom Hanks, so he did his homework and took some time to perfect the accent. It even helped that he had someone whose voice he could use for inspiration.

Hanks modeled the accent after one of his co-stars in the film. Hanks adopted the accent from Michael Connor Humphreys, who played young Forrest in the film. Even Humphreys would win a Young Artist Award for his role.