Tom Hanks Declined Lead in When Harry Met Sally Due to Recent Divorce and Happiness

Tom Hanks turned down the role of Harry Burns in When Harry Met Sally due to recently divorcing his first wife.
Director Rob Reiner considered many actors for the role before Billy Crystal was cast as Harry.
Crystal and Reiner knew the movie would be a hit after an advanced screening elicited intense laughter during the orgasm scene.
Hanks went on to star opposite Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail.
Hanks won consecutive best actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump shortly after declining the When Harry Met Sally role.