Hanks: America's most trusted person?

Tom Hanks is the most trusted person in the US, according to a poll published by 'Reader's Digest'. The 'Cast Away' actor topped the 100-strong list ahead of household names including Bill Gates (no. 7), and Michelle Obama (no. 19).

The magazine said it conducted the poll of more than 1,000 US citizens in conjunction with research firm the Wagner Group to "discover which individuals and the ideals they represent have earned our confidence".

As the personification of all-American values in a string of films ranging from 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Apollo 13' to 'Toy Story', Hanks' status is perhaps understandable.

'Miss Congeniality' actor Sandra Bullock took second place, while Denzel Washington, whose most recent role was an airline pilot with substance abuse issues in 'Flight', came third.

Interestingly six of the 10 most trusted Americans identified by the poll are movie-industry icons: Meryl Streep came fourth, Steven Spielberg sixth, and Julia Roberts claimed 10th place.

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The highest non-Hollywood entry on the list is author and academic Maya Angelou, at no. 5, while the most highly rated active former or current political officeholder (discounting the first lady) is Madeleine Albright, secretary of state from 1991 to 2001, at no. 23.

Activist academic Noam Chomsky came in ahead of Albright, at no. 20.