Tom Hanks: Voice Actors Deserve Oscars

Tom Hanks, currently reprising his role as Woody in the upcoming Toy Story 5, believes the Academy Awards should honor voice actors within the existing acting categories. He stated that the criteria for winning an Oscar should be based on the emotional impact of any performance, irrespective of visual presence. Hanks pointed to Andy Serkis's transformative roles in franchises like Lord of the Rings and Planet of the Apes as examples of vocal performances that deserve award consideration.

Historically, no voice actor has ever won an Oscar in the traditional acting categories since the Academy Awards began in 1929. While the Academy has introduced categories like Best Animated Feature in 2002 and Best Animated Short Film much earlier, Hanks feels pure vocal performances are being overlooked. He noted that some actors have come close to nominations without appearing on camera, suggesting it's possible for vocal actors to achieve this.

The release of Toy Story 5 is scheduled for June 19, 2026, marking over three decades since the original Toy Story premiered in 1995. The Academy has recently expanded its award offerings, with new categories like Achievement in Stunt Design set to begin in 2027 and Best Casting recently awarded.