Tom Hanks Dodges Gruelling Scene With Classic Aussie Ingenuity

Tom Hanks has always been known for his dedication on set, but even the most committed actors know when to pick their battles. Sometimes, a bit of cheeky professionalism goes a long way. On the set of Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own, Hanks found himself in a situation where sticking around just didn’t make sense, and he wasn’t shy about making the most of it.

Spotting a Golden Opportunity

Hanks, who played the hard-living manager Jimmy Dugan, was no stranger to long days and tough roles. But when faced with a scene that had him front and centre for what looked like a marathon shoot, he quickly realised he could be in for a rough time. The scene involved the Rockford Peaches lamenting their tiny crowds, and while Dugan was technically part of the action, Hanks saw a loophole.

He explained to Stephen Colbert,

“I read the pages, and I had the very first line in the scene, and I also had the very last line in the scene. And I knew if I didn’t get out of that friggin’ dugout, I was going to be shooting that scene for three and a half days.”

Not keen to spend hours sweating it out in the sun, he hatched a plan.

Making a Quick Exit

Instead of sticking around for the entire shoot, Hanks delivered his opening line as written, then threw in a bit of improv to suggest Dugan needed to “give the line-up to the umpire.” With that, he made a beeline for the shade, leaving the rest of the cast to carry on without him. It was a classic move—simple, effective, and a bit cheeky.

While the crew slogged through hours of takes under the hot sun, Hanks was off enjoying himself.

“Because of where the sun was, they had to shoot that for hours, in like, three successive afternoons,”

he said.

“And you know what I was doing while they were shooting? I was playing three flies up and eating turkey franks, baby. Because I was smart enough to walk out!”

Professionalism With a Wink

Hanks was meant to be there for the duration, but his quick thinking saved him from a tedious stretch. He summed it up with a grin:

“That’s what pros do, baby! They read the script and say, ‘I don’t think I have to be in this scene.’”

He didn’t reckon his presence was needed, so he simply took himself out of the picture.

It’s a move that shows even the nicest bloke in Hollywood knows when to take it easy. Sometimes, being a pro means knowing when to step back, grab a snack, and let the rest of the team do the heavy lifting.