Tom Hanks reached his "natural cut-off point" when he stepped in to protect his wife Rita after she was almost knocked to the ground by a mob of fans, according to a body language expert.
The Forrest Gump actor, 65, swore at the ecstatic fans as they swarmed the celebrity couple outside a restaurant in Midtown, New York City, yesterday.
One fan in particular appeared to get far too close to Rita, almost knocking her to the ground as she lost her balance.
The actress, 65, looked startled and shaken by the sudden crowding as she tried her best regain her composure and stand to her feet.
Rita ended up yelling 'stop it' to the crazed fans as she held up her hands before Tom took control of the situation.
The furious Hollywood star turned to the crowds and shouted: "My wife? Back the f**k up! Knocking over my wife?!"
The famous couple then walked to a nearby car which drove them away.
Body language expert Judi James, giving her analysis of the altercation to The Mirror, says Tom then stepped in to "dominate and control the situation."
She said: "If ever a star’s body language normally defines the word ‘affable’ both on an off-screen it would be Tom Hanks’s. Tom is always one of the pleasanter and more approachable, down-to-earth-looking A-listers but it’s clear from this video that even he has his natural cut-off point when it comes to protecting his wife Rita.
"The affability signals are at play as both Rita and Tom walk from their venue to their car.
"Rita walks out first, beaming at the fans and photographers and although she walks quickly there are no ‘avoidance’ rituals from her or Tom to suggest they are anything other than happy to acknowledge those fans and paparazzi.
"Tom almost seems to be making some polite small bowing gestures and hand clasps of respect and thanks as he walks behind her. One fan seems to stand in his way with a rucksack and Tom appears to bump into him, having to walk around the man, who remains where he is.
"Rita seems to have halted just up ahead and as a man walking beside Tom bumps into her she screams and throws her hands up in a ‘stop’ or an ‘enough!’ gesture. Her scream must naturally alert Tom.
"Hollywood stars don’t have bodyguards for no reason and along with every group of adoring fans there is always a worry of some kind of random attack, meaning many stars are on a hair trigger in terms of their responses.
"Tom turns, putting both hands up and out palms flat to dominate and control the situation himself rather than turning to his bodyguards or hiding behind security. He shouts at them to back off and his ‘knocking over my wife?’ allows the anger to be heard in his vocal tone.
"His mouth falls open and the corners of his mouth pull down in what looks like anger and disbelief. His hard stare lets the guys know what he thinks of them and he holds this stare before being directed to his car.
Finishing her commentary, Judi says: "Even his striding, tough-guy-looking walk now has the suggestion of a splaying that suggests anger arousal."
