Tom Hanks congratulates Zac Efron following reported rehab stint

Tom Hanks has backed Zac Efron following his reported recent stint in rehab, congratulating the star for tackling his issues head on.

Hanks has produced Parkland, a new ensemble cast movie about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which co-stars Efron, and he was asked for his opinion on rumors the young actor had spent time in a clinic to deal with substance abuse issues.

Refusing to be drawn too far into the topic, the Forrest Gump star applauded Efron for deciding to seek help for any troublesome personal problems.

He tells E! Online, "I'm not hip about (Efron's exact situation) but I think anybody who says, 'Hey, maybe I should go work on this,' more power (to him)."

The High School Musical star is yet to confirm or deny the rehab reports, but last week (ends29Sep13) he reached out to fans to thank them for their ongoing support, revealing he had taken time out to visit Peru with his father.

He wrote on Twitter.com, "Hey guys! Just returned from an incredible trip to Peru with my dad and wanted to thank you all for your support these past few weeks... means the world to me. Love you guys!"