Michael Conner Humphreys played young Forrest Gump in the 1994 movie 'Forrest Gump'. Today, he lives in Corinth, Miss. and goes to college after serving four years in the U.S. Army. (File Photo)

MOBILE, Ala. -- The young Forrest Gump is all grown up now.



Michael Conner Humphreys is 28 years old and in college studying international relations. He lives in Corinth, Miss., has a daily job and goes to college.



"It's not bad around here. Has its ups and downs like most small towns," Humphreys said. "Everybody knows me, even if I don't know them."



He's very modest when it comes to talking about "Forrest Gump."

"When you're watching it be made, you can't really take it in as people on the other side," Humphreys explained.

But he did open up to AL.com when we asked a few questions.



Most memorable moment:



"The travel as a kid, because I was eight years old. Filmed the movie in South Carolina, with some parts in Los Angeles."



Humphreys said he traveled across the United States and overseas to promote the movie.



Lesson learned:



"In a way, ever since then, I've been motivated to do something that matters."



Humphreys did do something that mattered. He served four years in the U.S. Army infantry, which included an 18 month tour of duty in Iraq.



He said it wasn't surprising that his nickname in the military was "Gump."



Did the movie influence your decision to go into the military?



"My family is in the military. When I was a kid, I had it in my mind I would try that out at some point."



Humphreys said that while shooting the film, he made a special visit to the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C.



"Paramount set up a trip to the Marine base to look at the fighter jets. I also got to meet a fighter pilot."



Keeping in touch?



Humphreys said he doesn't speak with Tom Hanks or Robert Zemeckis on a regular basis. But he has seen them in the last 20 years.



On one occasion, they met up when Hanks and Zemeckis were filming portions of "Castaway" in the Memphis area.



First question when people realize who you are?



"Why I'm not doing anything else or how much money I made," Humphreys said. "I'm not fond of either of those questions."

Are you ever asked to quote the movie?



"I am on occasion asked to quote the movie, which I absolutely rescind for obvious reasons: mainly that I went through puberty 15 years ago and I haven't an accent anymore," Humphreys said, adding, "I'm pretty certain it would aggravate Tom Hanks if someone badgered him about quoting 'Forrest Gump.' I feel about the same way. People can watch the movie anytime they want."



How many times have you watched "Forrest Gump"?



"I've probably watched the movie a half dozen times or so all the way through."



Did you keep any of your props?



Humphreys said he kept some of the pictures from the set and other production materials.



He also has "some items Tom Hanks sent out of appreciation" for his work.



Have you met Winston Groom?



"I've met him a few times over the years," Humphreys said. "Nice man. I like him."



"We've done two or three joint interviews. One was at his house for the blu-ray version of 'Forrest Gump.'"



Have you done any movies since "Forrest Gump"?



"Having done just one movie as a kid, it would be easy to typecast."



Humphreys did an independent World War II film, "Pathfinders," in 2009.



"Fell right into it with my military background."



What's your focus today?



"School is my priority. I will try to do more work in film, but I'm not in the right location to do that now," Humphreys said.



"I do have people that contact me from time to time, but I also don't have a major agent currently. So, it's not like I can snap my fingers and make it happen. I haven't pursued it in 20 years."



What's next?



Humphreys said he hopes to one day use his international relations degree he's working on to sell planes for Airbus or Boeing overseas.



"I'm also thinking about getting in contact with the PR arm of the Army to see if there's anything I can do to help, like the Wounded Warriors project," he said.