How Tom Hanks Turned a Hated SNL Role Into a Halloween Icon
Tom Hanks was reluctant to play David S. Pumpkins on SNL, but the oddball character became a Halloween phenomenon. Discover how Hanks went from resisting the role to embracing its cult status.
For most actors, the simplest way to avoid a role they dislike is to just say no. But Tom Hanks found himself in a different situation—he was already committed, and a little encouragement led him to create one of the most memorable characters in recent TV comedy. In Hollywood, scripts land on actors’ desks, and they get to decide if the part is right for them. If they’re big enough stars, they can even suggest changes. Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner and one of America’s most beloved performers, usually has that kind of influence. But this time, things were different. The project wasn’t a movie, but a sketch for a show he’s called home many times: Saturday Night Live.
Since his first time hosting SNL back in December 1984, Hanks has become a fixture on the show. He joined the ‘Five-Timers Club’ in 1990, has hosted five more times since, and popped up in more than a dozen cameos. If you ask fans to name his most iconic SNL character, there’s a good chance they’ll mention one in particular. In October 2016, the world met David S. Pumpkins, and within weeks, his pumpkin-print suit and wild hair were everywhere as Halloween costumes.
From Reluctance to Cult Status
The idea for David S. Pumpkins started as a joke. Bobby Moynihan, a cast member and writer, realized SNL had a Halloween episode coming up and thought the holiday needed its own version of Santa Claus.
“We started joking around, saying, ‘What if it was just a guy named David Pumpkins?’”
Moynihan remembered. With Hanks set to host just before Halloween, Moynihan pitched the idea.
But Hanks wasn’t sold.
“Tom Hanks hated it and asked us to give it to somebody else,”
Moynihan admitted. The team refused. Between dress rehearsal and the live show, Hanks decided to just go for it.
“I’m just going to be weird,”
he told them. That was exactly what they wanted.
Embracing the Weird
Hanks tried to dodge the role, even suggesting another actor.
“He thought it was very bizarre, and was like, ‘Hey, I think Chris Hemsworth would make a great David Pumpkins,’”
Moynihan said, recalling Hanks’ attempt to pass the part to a future host. But the team stuck to their guns, and Hanks stepped into the role.
What started as a throwaway idea quickly became a sensation. David S. Pumpkins was an instant hit, and Hanks has since returned to SNL three more times to play the character. With his ongoing connection to the show, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him don the pumpkin suit again in the future.