Happy birthday, Tom Hanks!

By Rebecca Macatee, E!Online

Tom Hanks has played an astronaut, a women's baseball coach, a prison guard and everything in between. In real life, he's known as a really nice guy.

Matt Sayles / AP

For that reason -- and the fact that we'd believe him as pretty much any character -- we're super excited to celebrate his 56th birthday today!

"Thanx for the B'Day wishes.! Born in '56, turning 56. That mean anything?" the actor tweeted Monday. "Not bad looking for 56, eh?" He then linked to a comically distorted WhoSay picture of himself hamming it up for the camera.

In honor of Tom's special day, take a look back through some of his best movie roles through the years!

PHOTOS: Tom Hanks: Movie star!

What's your favorite Tom Hanks role? Vote in our poll, and tell us on Facebook.

Best Tom Hanks movie?

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Related content:

'Forrest Gump'

?

33.6%

(1,763 votes)

'Saving Private Ryan'

?

11.8%

(619 votes)

'Philadelphia'

?

9.3%

(490 votes)

'Big'

?

6.7%

(353 votes)

'Cast Away'

?

6.3%

(331 votes)

'Sleepless in Seattle'

?

5.4%

(283 votes)

'Apollo 13'

?

5.3%

(276 votes)

'You've Got Mail'

?

4.7%

(247 votes)

'Green Mile'

?

4.6%

(240 votes)

'League of Their Own'

?

3.8%

(202 votes)

'Toy Story' trilogy

?

2.6%

(139 votes)

'The Money Pit'

?

2%

(105 votes)

Other

?

1.3%

(70 votes)

'Turner and Hooch'

?

1.3%

(68 votes)

'Splash'

?

0.7%

(38 votes)

'The Terminal'

?

0.5%

(24 votes)

Source: http://entertainment.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/09/12645685-happy-birthday-tom-hanks?lite

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