Tom Hanks sparks laughter as he tells Harvard students to ‘resist indifference’

Beloved actor Tom Hanks burst into laughter as he gave Harvard University’s commencement speech on Thursday, days after a bizarre episode on a Cannes red carpet in which he glared at a festival staffer.

Hanks, who received an honorary doctorate in arts from the institution, instructed the graduate to be staunch defenders of truth and American ideals, and to avoid indifference and those who manipulate the truth for their own gain.

“Truth is no longer empirical for some. It’s no longer based on data, nor common sense, not even common decency,” the two-time Oscar winner said, adding a riff to Harvard’s motto “Veritas,” which is the Latin word for truth.

Telling the truth is no longer the benchmark of public service. It is no longer the ointment to our fears, or the guide to our actions. Truth is now considered malleable, by opinions and by zero-sum endgames,” he continued.

The mood was much lighter on Thursday than days earlier, when an angry Hanks got into an altercation with a member of staff, pointing and looking stern as he stood on the red carpet.

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson speak with an employee as they arrive for the screening of the movie ‘Asteroid City’ at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes

Hanks was in a much better mood on Thursday as he addressed Harvard University graduates and told them to resist indifference

Hanks was in a much better mood on Thursday as he addressed Harvard University graduates and told them to resist indifference

Hanks told the more than 9,000 graduates that they must make a choice: “It is the same choice for all adults who must decide to be one of three kinds of Americans: those who embrace liberty and freedom for all; those who don’t want to; or those who are indifferent.’

“Only the former do the work of creating a more perfect union, an indivisible nation. The others are in the way.’

Prior to Hanks’ speech, retired Harvard president Lawrence Bacow introduced the celebrated actor as “Wilson’s bestie, Buzz’s buddy, Ryan’s savior, America’s father,” before handing him a Harvard volleyball, referring to his movie “Cast Away’.

Hanks briefly poked fun at being awarded a shiny new degree from one of the world’s leading universities due to a lack of academic qualifications.

“It’s not fair, but please don’t be embittered by this fact. Now, without having done a lick of work, without spending any time in class, without even stepping into that library—to have anything to do with Harvard’s graduating class, its faculty, or its distinguished alumni – am I making a damn good living playing someone who did,” referring to his portrayal of Robert Langdon, a fictional Harvard professor in the films based on Dan Brown’s novels.

“It’s the way things are, kids,” he said.

Hanks hugged several graduates on Thursday at the school's 372nd start

Hanks hugged several graduates on Thursday at the school’s 372nd start

Hanks makes an obnoxious face on the Cannes red carpet at the premiere of Wes Anderson's 'Asteroid City'

Hanks makes an obnoxious face on the Cannes red carpet at the premiere of Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’

Hanks’ Ivy League triumph comes days after a viral moment on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in which he appeared to berate a younger man who worked at the festival.

The actor, 66, looked uncharacteristically frustrated as he poked a finger at the man as he attended the event alongside his wife Rita Wilson, also 66.

The pair were on the red carpet for the premiere of Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, a movie in which they both appear.

During the interaction, actress and producer Rita could be seen holding out her hand.

The unidentified man was seen talking to the pair in what appeared to be an attempt to calm the situation down.

However, Tom seemed to remain miffed as the trio spoke before walking down the red carpet to pose for photos at the event. It has still not been revealed what the dispute is about.

It was clearly something that Hanks was not indifferent to.