Is Tom Hanks a Greek citizen?

Tom Hanks became an honorary citizen of Greece in 2020, when the country’s President signed an order granting him Greek citizenship in recognition of his remarkable services and achievements to the country.

Is Tom Hanks a Greek citizen?

Tom Hanks, a well-known actor, and his wife Rita Wilson were named honorary citizens of Greece last year for their efforts to raise awareness about deadly fires near Athens in 2018. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, recently shared a photo on Instagram of the pair joyfully holding their new passports.

However, what should have been a moment of celebration for Greece became problematic when Mitsotakis was accused of deploying a military chopper during a trip to honor the occasion with the Hollywood couple.

Rita Wilson, of Greek and Bulgarian origin, and Hanks, a Greek Orthodox convert, have a close connection to Greece, having spent many summer vacations on the gorgeous Greek island of Antiparos.

The criticism stems from the use of military resources for what some consider a private celebration. Despite the outcry, the couple was granted honorary citizenship in recognition of their contributions to the country.

Last December, Greece’s President Prokopis Pavlopoulos issued an honorary naturalization order, granting Hanks Greek citizenship. The actor expressed his excitement on social media, announcing that he will be a “Honorary citizen of all of Greece” beginning in 2020.

This move is consistent with Greek legislation, which allows for honorary naturalization of those who have provided great services to the country or whose naturalization benefits the public interest.

While the dispute rages on, Hanks and Wilson’s honorary citizenship remains a symbol of their relationship to Greece, creating a debate over the proper use of state resources on such occasions.