Tom Hanks reacts to quiz show contestants being unable to identify him: 'You are kidding me'

Oscar-winning actor couldn't contain his surprise when shown the clip

Tom Hanks has responded to a clip showing three quiz show contestants unable to identify the world famous actor.

The actor was appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! when he was shown the moment that occurred on long-running US series Jeopardy earlier this month.

After one of the contestants selected the category Biopics, a clip was shown of Hanks in character as Mr Rogers in new film A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood.

Host Alex Trebek asked: “In ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, beloved children’s TV show host Mr Rogers is played by this beloved actor.”

But none of the participants knew who Hanks was, remaining silent until the round ended.

“You are kidding me,” Hanks said, asking: “They didn’t even have any wrong suggestions?”

The actor later quipped: “What was the name of the category? Washed-up career choices for $800? Bad casting for $1000?”

Kimmel told Hanks, who is being touted for a Best Actor nomination at next year’s Oscars: “I look at it as you inhabited that character so beautifully that even they were absorbed instantaneously.”

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, directed by Marielle Heller, also stars Matthew Rhys and Susan Kelechi Watson.

It’ll be released in UK cinemas on 31 January.

“The film opens Friday, that’s Tom Hanks,” he said.

“You are kidding me!” Hanks exclaimed on “Kimmel,” shocked. “You are kidding me! They didn’t even have any wrong suggestions?”

Hanks joked that they could have gone with Woody Harrelson or Mahershala Ali.

“What was the name of the category? Washed-up career choices for $800? Bad casting for $1000, Alex?”

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Kimmel had a different take, however.

“I look at it as you inhabited that character so beautifully that even they were absorbed instantaneously!”

“I’ll take that, I’ll take that, thank you,” Hanks responded. “I think actually they were blinded by the red sweater, couldn’t make anything out.”

Hanks also recounted a story from filming “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” in Pittsburgh. A man who joined Hanks an elevator recognized the actor and asked him about filming the movie. As he was getting off the elevator, he looked back at Hanks while the doors closed and said, “We take Mr. Rogers very seriously here in Pittsburgh.”

“His eyes went snake-like for a second and I’m thinking, ‘I believe I’ve been threatened in the City of Three Rivers,” Hanks said.

Watch the clip above.