Tom Hanks believes the Academy Awards should recognize voice acting talent in one of its existing acting categories, but not through a separate voice acting award. The two-time Oscar winner made the comments while discussing his return as Woody in Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story 5, set to open in theaters on June 19. Hanks said the Academy already has enough categories, and argued that a strong voice performance should be eligible for Best Actor or Best Actress if it moves audiences in the same way as an on-screen performance.
Hanks pointed to Andy Serkis as an example of how acting can be fully realized through performance without the actor appearing in a conventional live-action role. He noted that some performers have come very close to Oscar recognition even when they are not visible on camera, suggesting that pure voice actors could also be considered for major acting nominations. In his view, the key factor is not whether the performer appears physically in the film, but whether the performance creates a memorable emotional impact.
The discussion comes as Hanks once again voices Woody in the fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise, more than 30 years after the original Toy Story premiered in 1995. The film reunites audiences with one of Pixar’s most iconic characters and highlights the continuing importance of voice performance in animated storytelling. Hanks’ remarks also renew a long-running question in awards circles: whether voice acting should be judged differently from traditional screen acting, or whether it should compete on equal footing with performances captured on camera.
Since the Academy Awards began in 1929, no voice actor has ever won in an acting category. The Academy has, however, long recognized animated work through dedicated awards. Best Animated Short Film dates back to 1932, while Best Animated Feature was added for the 2002 ceremony. More recently, the Academy has continued to expand its lineup of honors, adding Achievement in Stunt Design starting in 2027 and Best Casting, which was first awarded to Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another at this year’s ceremony.
Hanks’ comments reflect a broader debate about how performance is defined in modern filmmaking. Voice actors often rely entirely on vocal expression to deliver character, emotion, and personality, yet they remain absent from the main acting race. By arguing that voice performances should be eligible within the current acting categories, Hanks is making the case that the craft deserves recognition without creating a separate lane for it. His remarks arrive at a moment when animation, motion-capture, and vocal performance continue to shape some of the most popular films in the industry, keeping the question of awards eligibility firmly in focus.
