Tom Hanks Outsmarts the Set With a Hilarious On-Set Move

Tom Hanks is known for his dedication to acting, but even the most committed stars know when to pick their battles. On the set of Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own, Hanks found himself in a situation where his experience and sense of humor came together in the best way possible. Rather than storming off or causing a scene, he simply recognized when his presence wasn’t really needed—and made the most of it.

Finding the Perfect Exit

Hanks, who played the gruff but lovable Jimmy Dugan, was no stranger to long days on set. But when a particular scene called for the Rockford Peaches to lament their small crowds, he realized he was only truly needed at the very beginning and end.

“I read the pages, and I had the very first line in the scene, and I also had the very last line in the scene,”

he told Stephen Colbert.

“And I knew if I didn’t get out of that friggin’ dugout, I was going to be shooting that scene for three and a half days.”

Instead of sticking around for hours under the hot sun, Hanks improvised. He delivered his opening line, then ad-libbed a reason for his character to step away—saying Dugan needed to “give the line-up to the umpire.” With that, he slipped out and left the rest of the cast to handle the lengthy shoot.

Making the Most of a Break

While the crew spent hours filming the scene over several afternoons, Hanks enjoyed some well-earned downtime.

“Because of where the sun was, they had to shoot that for hours, in like, three successive afternoons,”

he explained.

“And you know what I was doing while they were shooting? I was playing three flies up and eating turkey franks, baby. Because I was smart enough to walk out!”

His quick thinking meant he avoided the grueling shoot, all while keeping things light and fun. Hanks later joked about his move, saying,

“That’s what pros do, baby! They read the script and say, ‘I don’t think I have to be in this scene.’”

He saw no reason to stick around when he wasn’t needed, so he took the opportunity to relax and enjoy himself.

Professionalism With a Wink

Hanks’ approach wasn’t about shirking responsibility—it was about knowing when to step back. His ability to read the situation, improvise, and keep the mood upbeat is part of what’s made him such a beloved figure in Hollywood. Even when taking a break, he managed to set an example of professionalism, all while having a little fun along the way.