Tom Hanks is widely regarded as a national treasure, beloved for his many iconic roles. From Forrest Gump to Cast Away, everyone has their favorite Hanks character.

Recently, however, Hanks reprised an old SNL role, sparking mixed reactions.

Tom Hanks’ Return to SNL Sparks Controversy

As part of SNL‘s 50th-anniversary special, Hanks brought back Doug, a character from the Black Jeopardy sketch. Wearing a red MAGA hat, he played a folksy conservative contestant who hesitated to shake the host’s hand and joked about starting “White Jeopardy.”

The sketch drew backlash, with some viewers accusing Hanks of perpetuating stereotypes. “Tom Hanks just came out in a MAGA hat acting like he didn’t want to shake a Black man’s hand,” one person wrote on X. Others called it “tone-deaf and divisive.”

However, some defended Hanks, pointing out the satire. Kenan Thompson previously praised his portrayal, calling it “bold,” and co-writer Bryan Tucker revealed that Hanks had improvised the handshake hesitation in the original 2016 sketch.

Despite the controversy, the performance has certainly sparked debate. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.