Tom Hanks — two-time Academy Award winner and one of America's most beloved actors — announced his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis in 2013 during an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. He told David Letterman that his doctor informed him his chronically high blood sugar numbers had officially crossed into Type 2 territory.
Hanks had reportedly been dealing with elevated blood sugar readings since his late 30s. He has spoken candidly about the role of weight and lifestyle in his diagnosis, and has been open about making changes to manage the condition. In a 2016 interview with RadioTimes, he attributed much of his struggle to the weight fluctuations he underwent for movie roles over the years.
Managing Type 2 diabetes typically involves blood sugar monitoring, dietary adjustments, regular physical activity, and in many cases medication. Hanks' openness about his condition helped reduce stigma and encouraged many Americans to get screened.