Tom Hanks Confirms Diabetes Diagnosis

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Tom Hanks popped up on the Late Show with David Letterman last night in order to promote his new movie Captain Phillips. He also ended up revealing to the world that he has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and is now working to get his weight and his diet under control.

The 57-year-old actor opened up with his story about how he was diagnosed with diabetes before he and Letterman even got around to talking about his new movie.

"I went to the doctor, and he said, 'You know those high blood-sugar numbers you've been dealing with since you were 36? Well, you've graduated! You've got Type 2 diabetes, young man.”

He went on to say that the doctor told him that most of the problems related to diabetes could be controlled if Hanks just dropped down to his highschool weight, a joke since Hanks weighed like “97 pounds” at the time. Still, the man made sure to let his fans know that things are okay and that he is judiciously dealing with the disease, calling it "controllable.”

Hanks has been known for putting on or losing major weight for roles in the past, including playing Jimmy Dugan in A League of Their Own. According to BBC News, the actor believes genetics may have played a part in his diagnosis, but also the choices he has made regarding his diet over the years.

"Gaining and losing weight may have had something to do with this because you eat so much bad food and you don't get any exercise when you're heavy. But I think I was genetically inclined to get it and I think it actually and goes back to a lifestyle I've been leading ever since I was seven years old, as opposed to 36."

He also noted during that Captain Phillips press conference that he has no desire to put on that kind of weight for a role ever again, even if Type 2 diabetes wasn’t a factor.

"I think that's more or less a young man's game. I'm 57 and I don't think I'm going to take on any job - or go on any vacation again - and see to it that I can gain 30lbs."

A diagnosis of diabetes certainly sucks, but that’s Hanks’ journey to contend with and he seems to be taking the diagnosis in stride. You can check out Hanks’ announcement on the Late Show, below.

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Jessica Rawden
Jessica Rawden
Managing Editor

Jessica Rawden is Managing Editor at CinemaBlend. She’s been kicking out news stories since 2007 and joined the full-time staff in 2014. She oversees news content, hiring and training for the site, and her areas of expertise include theme parks, rom-coms, Hallmark (particularly Christmas movie season), reality TV, celebrity interviews and primetime. She loves a good animated movie. Jessica has a Masters in Library Science degree from Indiana University, and used to be found behind a reference desk most definitely not shushing people. She now uses those skills in researching and tracking down information in very different ways.