Tom Hanks' Forrest Gump voice is one of the most imitated in film history, but the story behind its origin is not as well known. Decades after the film's release in July 1994, Forrest Gump's accent is still one of the character's most defining and recognizable traits. The story behind how Hanks came to create the Forrest Gump accent is not as instantly familiar, but it is genuinely heartwarming, and it gives further insight into the beloved actor's mindset and character.

It's well known that Forrest Gump is from Alabama, yet his accent can be difficult to place. In reality, the voice that Tom Hanks used to bring Forrest to life is from Mississippi. Notably, the reason why Hanks chose this accent underscores why he is a respected leading actor and what it means to be part of a Tom Hanks movie.

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