Dec 08, 2016 09:53 AM EST By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

Tom Hanks who is famous for his role in "Forrest Gump" goes back to his roots at the Cuyahoga Community College. His visit to the Tri-C Metro was quite educational for students who are looking to get a career in acting and theater.

The veteran actor sat in front of 750 high school and college students at the Cuyahoga Community College's Metropolitan Campus. Tom Hanks was not there to do a show but to make a show out of his life, so to speak. After being introduced by his good friend, Ivan Schwarz, the president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the crowd roared and even raised their Woody dolls in honor of his role in "Toy Story" as Woody. There were no reports indicating anyone bringing in their version of Wilson from "Cast Away."

Jonae Williams interviewed Tom Hanks on stage, cites CSU Cauldron. Williams is a senior from the St Joseph Academy in Cleveland. With Jonae, Hanks talks about how he got rejected. Hanks details how he was a college student in Sacramento California. After taking a lead role in one of the school plays, he felt super confident. With his new found energy, he decided to audition for another play but he was rejected for the part.

But Hanks said he did not have any regrets because it eventually turned out quite well for him. The Cleveland State University students who are taking arts or theater classes learned a lot from this opportunity. According to the seniors of the Cinematic Student Union at the university, Tom Hanks' discussion about his movie career, how he did the ADR for "Toy Story" and sharing inspirational lessons were valuable to them.

Alita Petras, a senior Film major said that she particularly remembers Tom Hanks saying that sometimes the job you want and did not get will lead you to bigger and much more better things.

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