I think we can all agree that Cast Away is one of the most gripping and heartwrenching movies of the 21st century. And that Tom Hanks' role as Chuck Noland - a desolate island dweller who has quite literally lost everything - is nothing short of spectacular.

When the film was released in theaters back in 2000, it received much critical acclaim, with Hanks going onto win a Golden Globe for best actor in a Motion Picture.

But while the finished product was near-faultless, one huge stumbling block occurred behind the scenes - namely, the fact that the star of the movie nearly died whilst filming.

According to an interview the 63-year-old actor did with Radio 1 in 2009, Hanks got an infection from a cut on his leg and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

"[Cast Away] put me in the hospital. I was there for three days with something that, believe it or not, almost killed me," he said. "I got an infection from a cut and it was eating its way through my leg. I didn't know it, I just thought I had a sore I went to the doctor who took one look and said, 'I have to put you in the hospital because we have to get this infection out of you before it poisons your blood and you die'."

20 years on, and Hanks is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. At this year's Golden Globes, in fact, he was honored with Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

As part of his acceptance speech, he told the audience: "I have a cold the size of Merv Griffin's Jeopardy! royalties. Showing up on time is one of the greatest and most liberating acts you can give yourself in a movie. A man is blessed with a family sitting down front like that - a wife who is fantastic in every way, who has taught me what love is... five kids who are braver and stronger and wiser than their old man.

He continued:

"And a loving group of people who have put away with me being away months and months at a time. Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be standing here if they didn't have to put up with that. I can't tell you how much your love means to me."

I think we can all agree that Cast Away is one of the most gripping and heartwrenching movies of the 21st century. And that Tom Hanks' role as Chuck Noland - a desolate island dweller who has quite literally lost everything - is nothing short of spectacular.

When the film was released in theaters back in 2000, it received much critical acclaim, with Hanks going onto win a Golden Globe for best actor in a Motion Picture.

But while the finished product was near-faultless, one huge stumbling block occurred behind the scenes - namely, the fact that the star of the movie nearly died whilst filming.

According to an interview the 63-year-old actor did with Radio 1 in 2009, Hanks got an infection from a cut on his leg and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

"[Cast Away] put me in the hospital. I was there for three days with something that, believe it or not, almost killed me," he said. "I got an infection from a cut and it was eating its way through my leg. I didn't know it, I just thought I had a sore I went to the doctor who took one look and said, 'I have to put you in the hospital because we have to get this infection out of you before it poisons your blood and you die'."

20 years on, and Hanks is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. At this year's Golden Globes, in fact, he was honored with Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

As part of his acceptance speech, he told the audience: "I have a cold the size of Merv Griffin's Jeopardy! royalties. Showing up on time is one of the greatest and most liberating acts you can give yourself in a movie. A man is blessed with a family sitting down front like that - a wife who is fantastic in every way, who has taught me what love is... five kids who are braver and stronger and wiser than their old man.

He continued:

"And a loving group of people who have put away with me being away months and months at a time. Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be standing here if they didn't have to put up with that. I can't tell you how much your love means to me."