Hollywood star Tom Hanks once invited a New York taxi driver to check out his Broadway debut and meet him backstage while he was performing in hit play Lucky Guy.
Taxi driver Manny Anzalota revealed he initially turned down the 58-year-old Forrest Gump star's fare on a cold day in January, 2013 as he was nearing the end of his shift, but he felt bad for the guy and allowed him to hop into his cab, not knowing who he had just picked up.
Hanks was so grateful for the ride, he struck up a friendly conversation with his driver and it was only after chatting for a while that Anzalota recognised the famous voice, reported New York Post. "The voice is very distinctive. He speaks through his nose. I've been watching him all my life," Anzalota said.
Hanks offered to snap a picture with Anzalota, who had been wearing Ferrari-branded gear, before arriving at his destination, but the encounter wasn't their last. The cabbie ended up giving the actor's Broadway stylist, Robert Guy, and his co-star, Christopher McDonald, rides in the following weeks and asked them each to, "Let Mr Hanks know Mr Ferrari said, hello". The Oscar winner then decided to reach out to Anzalota and invite him to a production of Lucky Guy, giving him the full VIP treatment and allowing him backstage to catch up with Hanks and get his autograph.
