It was intended to be a warmly humorous, festive – and star-studded – TV comedy moment.
But Tom Hanks’ appearance during a Saturday Night Live skit at the weekend – flanked by younger A-listers including Scarlett Johansson and Emma Stone – raised concerns about the veteran actor’s health.
During the show’s recurring Five Timers Club segment, which also featured Alex Baldwin, fans noticed that Hanks’ hands were visibly shaking at times.
Although the 68-year-old Oscar winner often kept his hands together or in his pockets, they shook when he held props, including cocktail glasses and gifts.
One fan commented on X: ‘Was I the only one who noticed the tremors in Tom Hanks lthis evening on SNL?’
Other viewers suggested it wasn’t the first time this ‘symptom’ had happened in recent months, with another claiming: ‘He was on the Graham Norton show a while ago and I noticed it there too…’
MailOnline approached Hanks’ representatives for comment and he recently stated that he is in ‘better shape’ in his late 60s than he was in his 30s.
Meanwhile, experts have suggested a range of possible causes for hand shaking – and while it’s usually nothing to worry about, it could be a sign of a serious condition.
Tom Hanks’ appearance during a Saturday Night Live skit over the weekend raised concerns about the veteran actor’s health
During the show’s recurring Five Timers Club segment, fans noticed that 68-year-old Oscar winner Hanks’ hands were visibly shaking at times
Although the Forest Gump star often kept his hands together or in his pockets, they shook when he grabbed props, including cocktail glasses and gifts.
The medical term for uncontrollable shaking of the cords is tremors, and these can manifest in a variety of ways.
It is considered normal for the hands to shake a small amount. This is known as physiological tremor and is perhaps most noticeable when the hands are extended.
Caffeine use, stress, fatigue or lack of sleep can increase these types of tremors.
However, a more severe jolt that disrupts daily life may be a sign of a common condition known as essential tremor or ET.
This can affect almost any part of the body, but most commonly in the hands, especially when performing simple tasks such as drinking from a cup or tying shoelaces.
It is a neurological condition – one that affects the nerves – but medically it is considered benign, but it usually worsens over time.
An estimated one million people in Britain have ET, and it becomes more common with age, with almost one in twenty people over the age of 65 affected, rising to one in five of people over the age of 95.
‘People often find that an essential tremor is made worse by stress, lack of sleep and coffee, but interestingly it can often improve after a small amount of alcohol,’ says GP Dr Ellie Cannon of MailOnline.
MailOnline approached Hanks’ reps for comment and he recently stated that he is in ‘better shape’ in his late 60s than he was in his 30s
However, a more severe tremor that disrupts daily life could be a sign of a common condition known as essential tremor, or ET.
She added: ‘Even if the quake has been going on for a long time, I would say if there is any deterioration then a medical assessment is warranted.’
ET causing problems can be treated with medications such as the beta blocker propranolol or the antiepileptic drug primidone, which are available only by prescription.
Stressful situations – such as public performances – cause ET to temporarily worsen, and in these cases doctors may recommend taking medication prior to the event.
Another, rarer cause of hand tremors is Parkinson’s disease, an incurable condition in which parts of the brain are gradually damaged over many years.
Although it can be a symptom, it is often not an early warning sign.
Besides shaking – which can affect the whole body – the main symptoms of Parkinson’s are slow movements and stiff and inflexible muscles.
As the disease progresses, balance problems and problems with concentration and memory are often seen.
Another, rarer cause of hand tremors is Parkinson’s disease, an incurable condition in which parts of the brain are gradually damaged over many years
Hand tremors in Parkinson’s usually occur at rest – and they do sometimes described as ‘like rolling a pill between your thumb and forefinger’.
This tremor disappears during activity – while with ET the tremor only occurs during activity.
Diagnosing the cause of a tremor involves a physical examination and a medical history. For example, are there other symptoms that could indicate something more serious, such as balance disorders, stiffness or slowness of movement.
In addition, some medications can cause tremors, such as the antidepressant bupropion and the heart drug amiodarone.
Tremors can also be a problem after a stroke, depending on which part of the brain is damaged.
If hand vibration interferes with eating, experts say it may be helpful to use weighted eating utensils and work with a physical therapist for help with fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes.
Concerns were raised last year after a poll showed that the majority of people recognize only two of the 40 common warning signs of Parkinson’s disease.
Awareness of symptoms was labeled ‘dangerously low’ by the charity Cure Parkinson.
This is despite the fact that early diagnosis is crucial for the best chance of effective treatment and greater quality of life for people with the condition.
Shaking and balance problems were the only two signals that were widely selected by the public, at 69 and 52 percent respectively.
Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) were not aware that depression, anxiety or pain could be a possible sign.
More than four in five (83 percent) people didn’t know that losing your sense of smell is a likely sign; a symptom that can occur years before the development of others.
Two-thirds (66 percent) were also unaware that physical frostbite, or the temporary inability to move, could be an early warning sign.