Tom Hanks sparked concern among his fans earlier this month when he appeared to be struggling to contain his arm tremors.
The 65-year-old is in the midst of a promotional whirlwind for Baz Luhrmann’s biopic of Elvis, which features Hanks as the singer’s manager.
Luhrmann, who was born in Sydney, arranged an Australian premiere in the Gold Coast town, 50 miles south of Brisbane, where filming took place.
Austin Butler, 30, who is appearing as The King, was at the June 4 event with Hanks.
“There’s no better place on earth to shoot a movie than right here on the Gold Coast,” he said, microphone in right hand and left hand in pocket.
Tom Hanks, 65, speaks at the Australian premiere of Elvis June 4 in the town of Gold Coast. He once clasped the microphone with both hands to try and stop the shaking
Two-time Best Actor Oscar winner Hanks wowed the Gold Coast crowd with his speech referring to filming in their city
Hanks stars in the film Tom Parker, Elvis’ Manager, with Austin Butler as Presley
“I’ve shot films in Morocco and Los Angeles and New York City and Seattle and Berlin.
“None of them have what the Gold Coast has, and what is that? two words None of these other cities have Dan Murphy,” he said, referring to the chain of liquor stores, Dan Murphy’s.
“What a man I’ve gotten to know quite well,” he said to applause.
As his hand was shaking, Hanks tried to control it by placing his left hand under his right under the microphone.
He also briefly attempted to switch hands.
Luhrmann listens as Hanks addresses the crowd in the Gold Coast, 50 miles south of Brisbane
Hanks tried several times to put both hands on the microphone to stop the shaking
Hanks told the Gold Coast crowd how much they all enjoyed filming in Australia
Hanks is seen with his wife Rita Wilson at the February 2020 Oscars
The audience didn’t seem to notice, however, as Hanks delighted them by declaring, “We had an absolutely amazing time with you all.
“There’s something about the people and place on the Gold Coast that makes everyone walk around with a confident expression on their faces. We were part of it.
“Your confidence, joy and joie de vivre are expressed in our film.”
He added: “You have a wonderful proactive golden son in Baz Luhrmann who loves Australia more than kangaroos, more than Dan Murphy.”
Hanks famously played a World War II soldier with PTSD in Saving Private Ryan whose hands were visibly shaking.
At one point, Hanks’ character, Captain Miller, tells Sergeant Horvath that the tremors “come and go.”
Horvath replies: “You may have to look for a new job. This one doesn’t seem to agree with you anymore.”
Hanks’ character in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 film Saving Private Ryan has tremors due to PTSD
Hanks is seen at Graceland on June 13 with (from left): Olivia De Jonge, who plays Priscilla; Austin Butler, director Baz Luhrmann and SiriusXm host Jess Cagle
After the Australian premiere, Hanks flew back to the United States, where the film was screened at Graceland on June 11.
“The only reason I’m here is because it was done right,” said Lisa Marie Presley, praising Luhrmann and Butler’s interpretations of her father’s story.
“I was quite young, but I still remember my father’s energy and charisma.
“And Austin, he—what’s the word? – he nailed it.’
She said Butler’s success in the role was a contrast to previous attempts to portray Elvis on screen.
“In my life, it’s been disappointment after disappointment in terms of the people who portray my father.
“Bless their hearts, I’m sure they meant well.”