While Tom Hanks absolutely stole the show and lies at the heart of the movie in the beloved holiday classic, The Polar Express, many talented actors and actresses contributed to making the movie as memorable and fun to watch at Christmas as it is. Let's take a look at each of the actors and actresses in the film and explore their unique contributions to The Polar Express.
Tom Hanks is undoubtedly the star of The Polar Express. He plays many of the main characters, including that of the narrator, the conductor, the hobo, Santa Claus, and “Hero Boys’ father. His warm, comforting and familiar voice sets the tone for the entire movie as we watch him masterfully add nuance and individual personality to all the characters he plays.
The protagonist of the film is a young boy known as Hero Boy. He is played by actor Daryl Sabara, who was the main protagonist in Spy Kids a few years earlier. He brings a sense of adventure to the movie, as he and his friends ride the Polar Express and discover the wonders of Christmas. In 2018, he married American pop star, Meghan Trainor.
Hero Boy's best friend, Lilly, is played by Nona Gaye, daughter of the legendary soul singer, Marvin Gaye. She brings a sense of strength and determination to the role, making her character both relatable and inspiring. She is a great example of a strong female lead, and her performance radiates with warmth and light.
The film also features the performances of Eddie Deezen and Peter Scolari as the two bickering kids, Know-It-All and Lonely Boy. Both actors provide plenty of laughs, and they do a great job of providing a bit of comedic relief.
For the adults in the film, there is performance of Leslie Zemeckis as Hero Boy’s Mother. Zemeckis delivers a performance full of warmth, compassion, and understanding. Some other notable films she acted in include Beowulf, A Christmas Carol, and Welcome to Marwen.
Lastly, there is the performance of Michael Jeter as Smokey and Steamer. Unfortunately, Jeter passed away during the production of The Polar Express, and many of his lines were rerecorded by André Sogliuzzo. The Polar Express was dedicated to Micheal Jeter in his memory. This accomplished actor had played roles in many blockbuster movies, including Jurassic Park III, Tango & Cash, The Green Mile and Patch Adams
Overall, the cast of The Polar Express is amazing. All of the actors and actresses bring something special to the film, making it an enjoyable viewing experience every holiday season. Thanks to their performances, The Polar Express is sure to remain a holiday classic for years to come.
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