Hollywood actor Tom Hanks is suffering from diabetes.

The 57-year-old actor, who has been dealing with high blood pressure since the age of 36, revealed he has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a lifelong condition which occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin.

'I went to the doctors and they said, 'You know those high blood sugar numbers you've been living with since you were 36, well you've graduated, you've got Type 2 Diabetes young man',' he told David Letterman on his show.

The Oscar-winning actor has been advised to lose weight to help control the symptoms but believes he will struggle shedding the pounds.

'Well it's controllable and through diet. My doctor said, 'If you can weigh what you weighed in high school, you'll essentially be completely healthy and not have Type 2 diabetes.' And I said, 'Well, I'm going to have Type 2 diabetes then',' he added..