What he's shilling: Though he won't be seen on-screen until the Wachowskis' big-budget ensemble sci-fi "Cloud Atlas" later this year, Hanks is a producer on HBO's buzz-worthy McCain/Palin flick "Game Change", which premieres March 10th.

Nominations and wins: Hanks scored back-to-back Best Actor wins in 1994 and 1995 for "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump", respectively. He's also been nominated three other times, for his lead performances in "Big", "Saving Private Ryan", and "Cast Away".

Lowdown: Hanks isn't the box-office powerhouse he once was (see: "Larry Crowne"), but his latest film, the 9/11 drama "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", scored a Best Picture nod this year. He's also, it need not be said, a darling of both the Academy and the public at large for his unfailing graciousness and "nice guy" reputation.