Tom Hanks has received an honorary doctor of arts degree from the ultra-prestigious Harvard University, with the actor joking he hadn't "done a lick of work."
The 66-year-old veteran actor - who has appeared in many fan-favorite films over the years including Castaway, Forrest Gump, and the Toy Story franchise - received the award on Thursday this week (May 25).
During his acceptance speech, Hanks referenced the US's growing misinformation crisis, telling Harvard graduates to defend their truth, as well as American ideals, and to resist those who choose to twist the truth for their own gain. "For the truth to some is no longer empirical. It's no longer based on data, nor common sense, nor even common decency," he said, via The Guardian.
The two-time Academy Award winner also made reference to Harvard's motto, "Veritas", which is Latin for "truth". "Telling the truth is no longer the benchmark for public service. It's no longer the salve to our fears, or the guide to our actions. Truth is now considered malleable, by opinion and by zero-sum endgames.
"It's the same option for all grownups who have to decide to be one of three types of Americans: those who embrace liberty and freedom for all; those who won't; or those who are indifferent. Only the first do the work of creating a more perfect union, a nation indivisible. The others get in the way," he added.
"The responsibility is yours. Ours. The effort is optional. But the truth, the truth is sacred. Unalterable. Chiseled into the stone and the foundation of our republic."
Hanks further made light of the fact he had barely any academic credentials during his speech, stating: "It's not fair, but please don't be embittered by this fact.
"Now, without having done a lick of work, without having spent any time in class, without once walking into that library - in order to have anything to do with the graduating class of Harvard, its faculty, or its distinguished alumni - I make a damn good living playing someone who did," he further continued, in reference to his portrayal of fictional Harvard professor Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons and Inferno. "It's the way of the world, kids."
The beloved actor made the visit shortly after he attended the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of his latest flick Asteroid City - which is directed by Wes Anderson and also stars Hanks' real-life wife Rita Wilson.
