Sunday, April 5, 2026
ADVT 
Interesting

Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2020 10:09 PM
  • Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

It could be "A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood" if you come across a life-sized decal of Tom Hanks in downtown Toronto.

Images of the Oscar-winning actor have been laid on the ground outside of two government-run liquor stores in the city's downtown, using his six-foot frame to help customers maintain their physical distance in line.

The decals show a bespectacled Hanks in a suit above the caption "'Hanks for keeping your distance."

The non-profit initiative was developed by Public Inc., a Toronto-based marketing agency, with the aim of injecting some fun into physical distancing.

"We were a bit concerned that people were going to let down their guard, that they weren't going to be as vigilant about mask-wearing and physically distancing," said Phillip Haid, the co-founder and CEO of Public Inc., on Friday. "That's what led us to ask, 'What would it take to remind people?'"

Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, and both have since recovered from the illness.

"The idea was born with Tom Hanks because he was the first celebrity to get COVID-19 with his wife — and he happens to be six-feet tall," said Haid.

Haid also pointed out that Hanks has been outspoken in telling people to wear masks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus since recovering from the disease.

Although the decals are only outside two LCBO locations so far, the campaign will expand to more locations of the provincial government's liquor store chain and to some coffee shops, Haid said. He said the company came up with the project for "the public good."

Haid added that it won't just be in Toronto but at some point may be expanded to New York City, where his company has another office.

It's not clear whether Hanks himself is aware of the campaign.

Public Inc., purchased the rights to the photo, Haid said, and he hopes it will catch the actor's attention.

A message left with Hanks's publicist by The Canadian Press on Friday was not immediately returned.

MORE Interesting ARTICLES

World’s First Cannabis Gym Wants To Get You High And Pumped

World’s First Cannabis Gym Wants To Get You High And Pumped
Marijuana And Fitness Are Generally Not Associated With One Another — But Gym Owner Jim Mcalpine Is Hoping To Change That.

World’s First Cannabis Gym Wants To Get You High And Pumped

Breathtaking: Entrepreneur Sells World's Most Expensive Mountain Air at $167 a Bottle

If you've ever been to Switzerland you already know that pretty much everything is expensive there, and the fresh mountain air is apparently no exception. 

Breathtaking: Entrepreneur Sells World's Most Expensive Mountain Air at $167 a Bottle

US Man Spends $50,000 on Plastic Surgery to Transform Himself into Genderless Alien

US Man Spends $50,000 on Plastic Surgery to Transform Himself into Genderless Alien
Vinny Ohh, a makeup artist and part-time male model from Los Angeles, California, has so far invested over $50,000 into 110 cosmetic procedures in an effort to turn himself into an asexual alien.

US Man Spends $50,000 on Plastic Surgery to Transform Himself into Genderless Alien

Pregnant Woman Served Deep Fried Lizard At McDonald's Outlet in Kolkata

Pregnant Woman Served Deep Fried Lizard At McDonald's Outlet in Kolkata
Instead of taking action, McDonald's offered them a free meal, her family alleges

Pregnant Woman Served Deep Fried Lizard At McDonald's Outlet in Kolkata

Want To Be British Spy? MI6 Is Hiring: Ad Calls For Recruits, Not Daniel Craig

Want To Be British Spy? MI6 Is Hiring: Ad Calls For Recruits, Not Daniel Craig
The goal is to attract more women and ethnic minorities into the ranks of agents made famous by the fictional spy James Bond.

Want To Be British Spy? MI6 Is Hiring: Ad Calls For Recruits, Not Daniel Craig

Unwanted Child Is No Grounds To Sue Mom For Lying About Taking The Pill: Court

Unwanted Child Is No Grounds To Sue Mom For Lying About Taking The Pill: Court
TORONTO — A budding physician who unwillingly became a father after a brief fling has no grounds to sue the woman for emotional harm — even though she lied about being on the pill, Ontario's top court ruled Thursday.

Unwanted Child Is No Grounds To Sue Mom For Lying About Taking The Pill: Court