Why Tom Hanks ‘Stormed Out’ Of 'Saturday Night Live' 50th Anniversary Event

Tom Hanks has long been a staple of "Saturday Night Live," having hosted the show 10 times and made countless surprise appearances, including a memorable cameo in December 2024. His frequent involvement has earned him a coveted spot in the legendary Five-Timers Club, an elite group of celebrities who have hosted "SNL" at least five times.

To celebrate the show’s monumental 50th anniversary, "SNL" hosted a star-studded event at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on Valentine’s Day. The night brought together some of the biggest names in the show’s history, including Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and more.

However, it was Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, who stole the spotlight, though not for the reason fans might have expected.

The couple made headlines after they “stormed out” of the "SNL" 50th anniversary concert in a hilarious comedic bit that had the audience laughing.

The moment unfolded when host Jimmy Fallon addressed the crowd, clarifying that the three-hour event would not include any awards.

“Apparently, there’s been some confusion. This is just a concert. We’re not giving out any awards tonight,” Fallon announced. “So I just want to make sure that everyone knows that.”

As soon as Fallon finished speaking, cameras captured Hanks and Wilson dramatically getting up from their seats and making their way toward the back of the auditorium.

In a now-viral clip, Wilson could be seen wagging her finger at the camera as the two playfully exited the venue.

“Tom? Rita?” Fallon called out, keeping up the joke. “We lost Tom Hanks and Rita. Sorry. It wasn’t their fault.”

Fans of the show flooded social media with reactions, including one user who wrote, "Wow! Tom Hanks just stormed out of 'SNL'" as someone else said, "Not Tom Hanks leaving 'SNL' mid-show [laughing face emoji]."

Another asked, "Was that Hanks move scripted?"

According to the Mirror, Tom and Rita’s exit was a scripted spoof, nodding to Tom’s long history with "Saturday Night Live" since first hosting it back in 1985.

Hanks has frequently spoken about his deep connection to the show, most recently in Peacock’s documentary series "SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night." In the series, he reflected on his experiences, calling "SNL" "the single most exciting thing that has happened in my career."

Sharing his admiration for the creative process behind the legendary show, Hanks said, “The fact that they just put their head down and plowed through it was actually a bit of a life lesson for me. Don’t read the bad reviews because someone out there is just going to hate your guts.”

He went on to express just how much "SNL" meant to him. “The cliché of saying it was a dream come true doesn’t do it justice," he said. "It’s a fantasy made real.”

One of Tom Hanks' most iconic "SNL" moments came in 2016 when he introduced the bizarre yet hilarious character David S. Pumpkins in the Halloween-themed sketch "Haunted Elevator."

Dressed in a pumpkin suit and flanked by two skeleton dancers, the character quickly became a pop culture sensation, even leading to a 2017 animated Halloween special.

Even when not hosting, Tom Hanks has made several memorable surprise appearances on "SNL."

One of the most notable came in 2019, when he took part in Eddie Murphy’s long-awaited return episode after a 35-year absence. The special night featured a parade of stars, with Hanks joining the celebration alongside other Hollywood icons.

In 2015, Hanks also played a major role in the "SNL 40th Anniversary" special, a star-studded event that honored four decades of the legendary sketch show. His presence, along with other "SNL" veterans and Hollywood elites, helped make the night an unforgettable tribute to the show's history.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, "SNL" had to adapt to remote production, and Hanks was chosen to deliver the very first "At Home" monologue for the show’s virtual episodes. His speech helped set the tone for a new, unprecedented format, as the cast and crew navigated performing sketches from their own homes.