With over $8.5 billion in worldwide film earnings, Tom Hanks is the all-time biggest box office star

You'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't like Tom Hanks. He's the male equivalent of America's sweetheart. What is that - America's Best Friend? Sounds about right. Fittingly, he's also a huge acting success.

He is best known for his roles in Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Big, Sleepless in Seattle, Castaway and You've Got Mail, among others. He has won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Actor.

As of 2012, all of Hanks' films had grossed $4.2 billion domestically and over $8.5 billion worldwide. This makes him the highest earning box-office star of all time. And it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

(Source)