Well it’s not too often that you read a tabloid story that actually portrays a celebrity in a good light, but I suppose sometimes Hollywood actors can be humble, down-to-earth people too. According to the National Enquirer, Tom Hanks was recently filling up his car at a gas station in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, when a couple spotted him and decided to strike up a conversation. They mentioned that they had just seen his most recent film Larry Crowne, and so naturally he asked what they thought of the film. The husband told him “it wasn’t very good,” while the wife responded, “Actually, it wasn’t that bad, we were just expecting it to be a lot better.” So what did Hanks do? He apologized and immediately refunded their money out of his own pocket. I always knew T Hanx was one of the good guys!

While I’m not entirely sure I believe this story (because, let’s face it, who would actually tell a Hollywood star that their movie sucked?), it’s worth noting that Hanks did co-write, direct and produce Larry Crowne in addition to starring in it, so perhaps he felt even more personally responsible than usual. It does make you wonder what the world would be like if Hollywood stars had to answer directly to the public a little more often, or if moviegoers could always get their money back if they didn’t like a movie. Would the same bloated blockbusters still be topping the box office every week? At any rate, if Tom Hanks really did this, it was a pretty clever P.R. move. Now can we all get our money back for Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code too?