I mean, following the success of Big, he appeared in a string of crap and/or box office bombs like Punchline, The 'Burbs, Turner & Hooch, Joe vs. the Volcano, and The Bonfire of the Vanities.
shareHe was still very much in demand when this movie was made so I wouldn't say it "saved" his career at all.
shareI think Tom Hanks saved his own career by being a very likeable, funny guy that Hollywood producers knew they could rely on him 100%.
shareNot sure if I would say it saved his career as much as I would say it launched the second phase of his career. After establishing himself as kind of a goof ball comedic actor, he then began to establish himself as someone who can carry serious scenes, and movies, while still having a comedic touch to it, and being likable. This movie was the first like that, where he was mostly comedic in this movie, but then would have serious scenes that he was good in. Sleepless In Seattle was next for him, which was much more serious, with some comedic scenes. By this point audiences were ready to take him serious as a dramatic actor, which made it the right time for Philadelphia, which he was amazing in and earned his first Oscar.
shareAll true.
There is a story that when Hanks arrived on the set of "A League of Their Own," director Penny Marshall -- with tongue in cheek -- introduced him to the entire cast by saying: "This is Tom Hanks. He used to be promising but he has made a series of bombs and he is here to save his career."
Or something like that. Word.
Hanks himself said that he told his agents to look for tougher characters. The guy in A League of Their Own was a good first step - comical, but also a champion athlete now reduced to being a drunk, surrouinded by and hating the women he has to coach. This probably would have been played by Walter Matthau in the 70's -- oh, it WAS -- The Bad News Bears.
Then Hanks got an amazing "winning streak" to match his previous "losing streak" (which had ruined hjis Oscar nom work in Big and what was SUPPOSED to happen.)
Back to back Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump -- both "affliction" roles -- one dead serious, one funny with a side of tears.
The rest was history.
PS. I'll just note that when I read that Tom Hanks had been cast as the AIDs patient in Philadelphia, I announced to all who would listen: "He will win the Best Actor award." I said that long before the movie was completed, long before I saw it. It was in the cards. Forrest Gump was a surprise though. Its blockbuster status and Hanks' funny voice won that one for him.