"Forrest Gump" 20 years later (2024)

When "Forrest Gump" hit theaters on July 6, 1994, it not only became a box-office hit but a critically-acclaimed one, too.

The film scooped up Academy Awards for best picture, best director, best actor, best adapted screenplay, best visual effects and best film editing.

Through the story of Gump's life, the romantic comedy-drama highlighted some key moments in history -- and it touched quite a few viewers' hearts along the way.

"People were going back every week to see that movie when it came out," Gary Sinise, who played Lt. Dan, told CBS News. "Now it's a classic film and it's just one of those movies that's lived on."

Now celebrating its 20th year, "Forrest Gump,"based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom,will return to the big screen again. In September, it's hitting IMAX theaters to commemorate the 20th anniversary.

Read on to see what the film's stars have been up to since Forrest ran for the first time.

By: Lauren Moraski

Tom Hanks - Then

"My name is Forrest Gump. People call me Forrest Gump..."

Tom Hanks sure had us believing it, too. He won the best-actor Oscar the following year for the role of Gump, a slow-witted but athletically and uniquely skilled man born in Alabama with a low IQ. He ends up overcoming many challenges as he lives a life full of adventures.

Bill Murray, John Travolta and Chevy Chase were all considered for the role. Travolta was later quoted as saying that passing on the part was a mistake.

It's difficult to picture any of those actors playing the role now as Hanks truly owned the part. Oh and the quotable lines...remember these?

-- "My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

-- "I'm not a smart man... but I know what love is."

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks had quite a few major roles before joining "Forrest Gump," including "Big," "Joe Versus the Volcano," "A League of Their Own" and "Sleepless in Seattle."

Hanks has steadily commanded the big screen since the release of "Forrest Gump," starring in many critically-acclaimed films. The following year, he voiced Woody in the hit animated film "Toy Story," and has since starred in "That Thing You Do!" "Saving Private Ryan," "Apollo 13," "Catch Me If You Can," "Saving Mr. Banks" and "Captain Phillips."

Gary Sinise - Then

Sinise stepped in to the role of Lt. Dan Taylor, Forrest’s commanding officer during the Vietnam War in 1967. He later becomes Forrest's shrimp boat partner in the Bubba-Gump Shrimp Company and best friend. His lost his legs during the war, and though bitter at first about his condition, he becomes an inspirational character.

"I could have never predicted that I would be connected to a character I played in a movie for 20 years," Sinise told CBS News. "But I very much wanted to play that role because of the Vietnam veterans in my family and the Vietnam veterans I had worked with in the '80s."

Gary Sinise - Now

Prior to "Forrest Gump," Sinise starred in "Of Mice and Men" with John Malkovich and would later share the screen with Hanks in "Apollo 13." Other notable roles include "The Green Mile" and "Reindeer Games." From 2004-2013 Sinise starred on the hit CBS series "CSI: NY."

The role he played in "Forrest Gump" has stayed with him ever since. He started the Lt. Dan Band, a music group that performs all over the world to raise money and awareness for veteran causes, including his own organization,The Gary Sinise Foundation.

"Because he was an injured soldier when I started visiting hospitals I saw the faces light up on the real-life Lieutenant Dans laying in the hospital beds," Sinise said. "And when I'd walk in they'd start talking about Lt. Dan and the character...It just became clear..that role had a larger meaning to a portion of our population than just a character in a movie."

Robin Wright - Then

Robin Wright played Jenny Curran, Forrest's childhood friend and love interest. She lives the hippie lifestlye and is in and out of Forrest's life through the years before two end up getting married.

Jenny famously told him, "Run, Forrest, Run!" -- and that's exactly what he did.

Robin Wright

Prior to getting cast in "Forrest Gump," Wright starred in "The Princess Bride" and played Kelly Capwell on the TV series "Santa Barbara."Her other film credits include "Message in a Bottle," "Unbreakable, "The Conspirator," "Moneyball" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." She can currently be seen as Claire Underwood in the Netflix series "House of Cards."

Sally Field - Then

Sally Field played Forrest's devoted mom, Mrs. Gump.

In 2009, Field told the San Antonio Press, "She's a woman who loves her son unconditionally...A lot of her dialogue sounds like slogans, and that's just what she intends."

Sally Field - Now

A year before "Forrest Gump" hit theaters, Field starred opposite Robin Williams in "Mrs. Doubtfire."

Following "Gump," Field made several TV appearances on shows including "ER" and "Brothers and Sisters." She recently graced the big screen in the Oscar-winning "Lincoln," along with the blockbuster "The Amazing Spider-Man" and its sequel.

Mykelti Williamson - Then

Mykelti Williamson playedBenjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue, a friend Forrest met upon joining the Army.Bubba was supposed to be the senior partner in the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, but died in Vietnam. His platoon leader, Lt. Dan Taylor, took his place and carried on the company in his memory.

Throughout filming, Williamson wore a lip attachment to create Bubba's protruding lip. David Alan Grier, Ice Cube and Dave Chappelle were all reportedly in talks for the role, but turned it down.

Mykelti Williamson - Now

The year before "Forrest Gump" opened Mykelti Williamson appeared in "Free Willy." He's been busy ever since, starring in "Waiting to Exhale," "Primary Colors," "Heat" and "Con Air." He's also had roles on "24," "Justified" and "CSI: NY," alongside "Gump" co-star Sinise.

Robert Zemeckis - Then

Fresh off three "Back to the Future" films, Robert Zemeckis, kneeling in picture, took on directing duties for "Forrest Gump."

Robert Zemeckis

Zemeckis laterteamed up with Hanks again, directing the actor in "Cast Away." His other directing credits include "The Polar Express" and "A Christmas Carol."

Haley Joel Osment - Then

Osment started acting at the age of 4 before making his film debut as Forrest Gump Jr., the son of Forrest and Jenny. He landed the role after being seen in a Pizza Hut commercial.

Haley Joel Osment - Now

Osment made a splash in 1999 in "The Sixth Sense" and also appeared in "A.I. Artificial Intelligence." He's taken on some TV and voice acting roles as of late and has a part in the upcoming big-screen version of "Entourage."

The Soundtrack

Music set the scene for much of the movie, with a score byAlan Silvestri and plenty ofmemorabletunes that appeared on the 2-disc set, includingBob Seger's "Against the Wind," Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" and Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."

The soundtrack's music coincided with Forrest's life story and the famous people he met and the lessons he learned along the way.

In the end, as Forrest's mamma said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."