Buzz
While browsing the internet to uncover common misconceptions, I’ve noticed certain names repeatedly associated with false claims. Alongside predictable political figures like Clinton, Trump, Biden, and George Soros, Tom Hanks somehow finds himself in the mix.
Tom Hanks never referred to his daughter as a "Sexy Baby."
Tom Hanks is not part of any molestation ring with Oprah Winfrey.
Tom Hanks is not playing MLK in a film.
Tom Hanks is not portraying Osama Bin Laden in a movie either.
Tom Hanks had no involvement in starting the Maui wildfires.
The list could continue, but the pattern is clear—there’s an inexplicable disdain for him. Why Tom Hanks, of all people? To me, he’s the beloved star of Forrest Gump, Castaway, and Mazes and Monsters; a charming talk show guest, perhaps a bit too vanilla, but overall a seemingly kind and approachable actor. How do some people see him as a mastermind of global evil, orchestrating wildfires and engaging in unthinkable crimes?
The Origins of the Tom Hanks Backlash
Hanks has long been a target of the Right, even before the Trump era. For instance, in 2010, he was labeled an ignoramus for drawing parallels between WWII-era racism against the Japanese and contemporary nationalism. While there were occasional criticisms, they lacked real venom—just the usual conservative pushback against Hollywood figures, part of the low-stakes culture wars that now seem almost nostalgic. However, in 2018, Hanks transformed from a typical Hollywood liberal to a prime target for the most gullible, thanks largely to one individual: actor Isaac Kappy.
Who Was Isaac Kappy?
Kappy was a minor actor, known only for unnamed roles like "Rowdy Prisoner" in Breaking Bad and "Pet Store Clerk" in Thor. Despite his limited career, he gained notoriety after appearing on Alex Jones' show in 2018, where he spun wild tales of a Hollywood child molestation ring he claimed to have witnessed. Even Jones seemed skeptical, but Kappy's appearance catapulted him to fame within fringe right-wing circles. Using Periscope, he accused several celebrities, including Hanks, of involvement in this fabricated conspiracy. Notably, most of his targets were outspoken critics of Donald Trump. Unsurprisingly, Kappy provided no evidence for his claims, likely due to his apparent mental instability.
In 2019, Kappy took his own life by jumping off a highway overpass in Arizona, leaving behind an Instagram note claiming he was the reincarnation of Judas Iscariot. Despite his death, his baseless accusations continued to fuel conspiracy theories.
(I’m heading off to take a shower now.)
