Tom Hanks says voice actors should compete for Best Actor Oscars instead of getting a new category

The two time Academy Award winner pointed to performances that move audiences, regardless of appearing onscreen

Tom Hanks has weighed in on a long running debate surrounding the Academy Awards, saying he does not believe the Oscars need a separate category dedicated to voice acting.

While promoting Toy Story 5, the actor spoke in an interview and argued that voice performers should instead be considered alongside traditional screen actors in the existing acting races. According to Hanks, the Academy already has enough categories and should focus on recognising the quality of a performance rather than the method used to deliver it.

“The truth is, truly, a voice actor can win Best Actor,” Hanks said. He explained that any performance capable of moving audiences should qualify, whether the actor appears physically on screen or not.

Hanks pointed to performers such as Andy Serkis as examples of artists whose work extends beyond conventional acting. Although Serkis often performs through motion capture technology rather than appearing directly as himself, Hanks said the emotional and physical work still originates from the actor.

“If they are moved, that means they are moved by a human being’s performance. That’s all the requirement,” Hanks added.

The actor has considerable experience in both live action and animation. Hanks won consecutive Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, while his voice role as Woody in the original Toy Story earned him an Annie Award nomination in 1995.

Despite decades of acclaimed animated films, the Academy has never nominated a voice only performance in one of the four acting categories. One of the closest examples in recent years was Scarlett Johansson’s work in Her, which generated awards discussion but ultimately did not receive an acting nomination.

The debate has also extended to motion capture performances. Actors and filmmakers including Andy Serkis, James Cameron and Zoe Saldaña have previously argued that such performances deserve greater recognition from the Academy.

Saldaña previously described being overlooked as “deflating”, while Cameron has publicly argued that her work in the Avatar films is comparable to any award winning performance.

Hanks’ comments arrive as Toy Story 5 prepares for its theatrical release on June 19.