Tom Hanks makes dreams come true for fellow manual typewriter enthusiast

When Kirk Jackson of Goodlettsville, Tennessee sent a typewritten letter to movie star Tom Hanks, he wasn’t even expecting a reply, let alone a personal visit from the Oscar-winner and all-round good guy.

Tom Hanks visits fellow manual typewriter enthusiast

When manual typewriter collector and repairman Kirk Jackson of Goodlettsville, Tennessee sent a typewritten letter to movie star Tom Hanks last year, he wasn’t really expecting a reply, but he thought he’d send it anyway as Hanks is well known for his love of manual typewriters. Not only did Jackson receive a typewritten (naturally) reply from Hanks, but the actor said in the letter that he would stop by on his next trip to nearby Nashville. On Tuesday 25 May, Hanks delivered on that promise.

Hanks bought two typewriters and posed for selfies with the Jackson family

After the visit, Jackson posted on Instagram: "He hung out at the house, met the family, pet the doggos, and chatted for a bit before we headed up to the shop to dig in to the mountain of machines that lurk up there,"

"We talked, ogled Typewriters, tested a bunch, and just had a blast!" Jackson wrote. "[H]e really IS the nicest guy in Hollywood!"

Jackson said the visit began with a 20-minute sit-down in the family’s living room, where Hanks chatted amiably with Jackson, Jackson’s wife, Kimberly, and their 15-year-old son, Aidan. Hanks spent much of that time asking Kimberly and Aidan about their lives, even comparing notes on running high school track with the teen, who competes for Beech High School in Hendersonville.

After finishing a sparkling water, Hanks and Jackson headed to the typewriter shop behind the house, where he bought two typewriters from Jackson, who started collecting and selling manual typewriters five years ago, naming his business Nashville Typewriter.

Hollywood’s Mr. Nice Guy paid full asking price for both machines with a cheque, which Jackson plans on framing after depositing it electronically.

"He told me, ‘I’m a rich, famous movie star, so don’t undercharge me,’" Jackson wrote.

Hanks comes to Nashville as often as three times a year because his wife, actress/singer Rita Wilson, regularly collaborates with Nashville songwriters and producers.

Hanks signed a work bench in Jackson’s shop and posed for selfies with Jackson and his family. The star left with the promise that he’d return to the Jacksons’ shop the next time Hanks is in Nashville. Hanks also promised to type out a letter to Jackson’s typewriter-loving 15-year-old protégé in Florida.

Even 24 hours later, Jackson said he was still floating high from the visit, adding that he and the movie star have texted a few times Wednesday.

"I have Tom Hanks in my phone now!" Jackson said. "Like we’re friends. That’s amazing."

Source: Tennessean