An actor has finally confronted Tom Hanks after he claims the Hollywood legend fired him 22 years ago because he had "dead eyes".
Back in January 2020, Connor Ratliff launched a podcast in an attempt to get to the bottom of why Tom Hanks allegedly fired him from a mini-series twenty years prior.
Ratliff, 46, has long claimed that when he was a young actor in the year 2000, he was cast in a small role in HBO's hit mini-series Band of Brothers. However, he says he quickly lost the part after Tom Hanks - who was directing this particular episode - says he had "dead eyes".
The 46-year-old recently explained the situation during an interview with Seth Meyers, saying: "In the year 2000, I was a young actor fresh out of drama school. I was cast in a very small speaking role in the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers."
Listen to Ratliff recall the story here:He continued: "I was so excited to be a part of it. And then I found out great news; Tom Hanks is directing your episode.
And then the day before I was supposed to film my episode I got a call - frantic - from my agent's office saying: 'You have to get there right away. Tom Hanks has looked at your audition tape and he's having second thoughts. He thinks you have dead eyes.'
"So I had to go and re-audition in person for Tom Hanks. And minutes later I was told they were deciding to go another way."
As Ratliff put it: "The nicest man in show business couldn't even have me be in the tiniest part of Band of Brothers."
Following the disappointing setback, Ratliff did go on to find success in the entertainment industry, and even launched a podcast called Dead Eyes as a means to solve the mystery behind his release from Band of Brothers more than two decades ago.
Now, in the most recent episode, Hanks himself appeared on the show, and the two actors were able to hash things out and discuss what really happened.
During the show, which aired on March 10, Hanks revealed that he learned about the podcast and the story through his son, Colin, and daughter, Elizabeth.
Hanks said he was "aghast" to learn that he could have made the comments, but ultimately took full responsibility for Ratliff's negative experience.
"Now, let me first take full responsibility for doing this to you," Hanks said. "This was without a doubt the act of the director, and that was me."
He added: "There was something that either stuck in a craw or was one of those very, very subtle sort of decisions that aims the story in the direction you want it to go."
The Toy Story star also admitted that he probably did make a comment about Ratliff having "dead eyes", but added that his thoughts should never have been communicated back to the young actor.
Hanks continued: "In the inner sanctum of whatever this casting session was, on Band of Brothers, I'm sure I said, 'I don't know man, that guy's got dead eyes'.
"I could've said, 'He's got too blond of hair'. I could've said, 'He's too tall and I can't have the aide be taller than Captain Winters'. I could've said, 'He's too short and slight'.
"And if someone had also said to me, 'Well, he's already cast'. I would've said, 'Well, can we replace him?'
"I would've said that. And I've done it and think it's been said about me on occasion as well."
Speaking about the "inner sanctum" and team making the casting decisions, Hanks compared it to being like a dugout, and that the person who let the comment slip should have "their kneecaps broken because that is not allowed".
Ultimately, the pair reconciled and ended up having a very humorous and interesting conversation on the show.
You can listen to the full episode here.
