Final answer:
Tom Hanks did indeed earn critical respect and a wider audience for his role in 'Philadelphia,' making the statement true. His portrayal of a lawyer with AIDS contributed to raising awareness and changing perceptions during the height of the AIDS crisis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about Tom Hanks suggesting that he earned critical respect and widened his audience by portraying a tormented AIDS-afflicted homosexual lawyer in the film Philadelphia is true. Hanks' performance in the 1993 drama not only garnered him an Academy Award but also brought significant attention to the plight faced by individuals suffering from AIDS during a time when public fear and misunderstanding about the disease were at an all-time high. The issue of AIDS in the arts has been a significant topic, with various works highlighting the challenges faced by those in the gay community during the epidemic, such as Larry Kramer's play The Normal Heart and Tony Kushner's Angels in America. These pieces have played crucial roles in gaining media coverage, influencing public opinion, and prompting political action.