Sleepless In Austin: Tom Hanks Helps With Marriage Proposal

AUSTIN, TX — While in Austin for the Texas Book Festival, Tom Hanks proved once again why he's America's sweetheart or, alternately, the nation's favorite uncle, when he helped a couple at his reading become engaged to be married.

The celebrated, Oscar-winning actor read from his collection of short stories, titled "Uncommon Type" with Pulitzer Prize-winning Austin writer Lawrence Wright. A standing-room literary crowd at the First Baptist Church in downtown Austin listened with rapt attention, not suspecting of the surprise plot twist to his appearance.

Already, Hanks' appearance was the day's highlight and the biggest draw at the festival staged on the grounds of the Texas Capitol and its surroundings featuring some 300 authors. Even the famous Bush sisters — daughters of President George W. Bush Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager — didn't draw as big a crowd at the man who won an Oscar for playing Forrest Gump.

Naturally, Hanks was endearing (even to us hardened, ink-stained wretches in journalism) when he told the crowd of about 1,000 he owns some 140 typewriters. He acknowledged the obsession, noting typewriters figure in each of the 17 stories of his new collection.

"It's easier than collecting pianos," he said in that casual avuncular way that consistently warms our hearts.

But then, he outdid even himself in an unscripted moment that nonetheless felt like a plot development from one of his many romantic comedy films. During the Q&A portion of the gathering, the actor read a note from a member of the audience who subsequently proposed to his date.

At that, Hanks invited the couple, Ryan McFarling and Nikki Young, to the stage. The presumptive groom feel to one knee while his sweetheart erupted into tears of joy.

Texas Book Festival officials posted scenes from the Hanks-aided proposal on their Facebook page.

Sleepless in Austin, indeed. Atta boy, Tom!

>>> Tom Hanks signs copies of his book, "Uncommon Type" at Waterstones Piccadilly, London, Nov. 2, 2017. Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImages via Getty Images.