Movies News Talk
You might recall Michael Conner Humphreys as the cute young Forrest Gump in the venerable 1994 movie. Although Tom Hanks steals the show as the adult Forrest, Michael's performance defines the tone for the film. But Michael's fate after the film is another matter. Has he turned into a Hollywood hot sensation? Did he welcome the limelight?
The response is somewhat unexpected. Following "Forrest Gump," Michael chose to pause from acting and savor a regular childhood. He wanted to see life outside of the cameras and had no desire in being a child star. Showing his passion of performing, he attended high school and even participated in some school productions.
Michael said in a 2019 interview, "I don't think Hollywood is a healthy lifestyle for youngsters. You mature fast and do not have a childhood." He wanted to avoid that, and following the movie he was able to go back to a typical childhood.
Michael chose to enlist the U.S. Army in 2004, same as his film counterpart, Forrest. He spent eighteen months in Iraq and even worked in an Army base in Kansas until 2008. Michael was greatly affected by these encounters; he even included them into his next project. He came back to performing in the independent World War II drama "Pathfinders: In the Company of Strangers" in 2011. In 2021 he also made appearances in an episode of the TV show "Knight's End". He then competed on Fox's mystery singing program, "I Can See Your Voice," in 2024.
Michael enrolled in the Army, then attended the University of Northern Alabama where he earned an international relations degree. He decided to drop the Hollywood limelight behind and currently teaches in Oregon. He enjoys a slower life and keeps a low profile. Still, his performance in "Forrest Gump continues to be a major and legendary highlight of his career.