Tom Hanks' wayward son - the only person in the world who badmouths him

Tom Hanks, the relative we'd all love to have
Four children from two marriages
Samantha Lewes, Tom Hanks' first wife
Chet Hanks, the wayward son
Criticism justified?
Singer, actor and youtuber
'The truth of growing up like a Hanks'
(Serious) problems of adolescence
Chet Hanks, completely lost
Rehab at the age of 17
Out of control
Bad but good
The privileges of being a Hanks
'I was able to do a lot of cool things'
Travel, luxury hotels, private planes...
The name but not the fame
'I was just the son of someone famous'
Tom Hanks, the relative we'd all love to have

Tom Hanks is the father, brother, grandfather, or uncle that half the world would like to have. Millions of people can agree on that. Yet, one of his children publicly criticized the actor and his life as a 'Hanks.' What happened, and who is this wayward son?

Four children from two marriages

The actor's family consists of his wife, Rita Wilson, Chester Marlon (1991), and Truman Theodore (1996), the two children they have together. In addition, he has children from his previous marriage to Samantha Lewes: Colin Hanks (1977) and Elisabeth Ann (1982).

Samantha Lewes, Tom Hanks' first wife

Tom Hanks married Samantha Lewes in 1978 and they were together for seven years with two children. Long after the divorce, in 2002, Samantha Lewes died of cancer. Obviously, through the children, she was still a part of Hanks' life.

Chet Hanks, the wayward son

Now, one of the few people in the world who have ever spoken poorly of one of Hollywood's most beloved actors... is one of his own children.

Criticism justified?

It was Chester Hanks, the third by age and the first child he had with Rita Wilson, who criticized both his father and his mother.

Singer, actor and youtuber

A singer and actor, Chester Hanks also has his own YouTube channel (Chet Hanx). It was there that he opened up about what it means to carry the Hanks's name.

'The truth of growing up like a Hanks'

In a video called 'The truth about growing up like a Hanks,' he reflects on his life, his problems, his fears, and his career.

(Serious) problems of adolescence

At one point in the video, his use of prohibited substances comes up. He recalls how his addiction led his parents to commit him to a detox center at the age of 17.

Chet Hanks, completely lost

"I was at the lowest point in my life, completely lost. To the point where the hysteria went beyond the limits I knew," he said.

Rehab at the age of 17

At that point, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson forced him to go into strict rehabilitation in a specialized center. "They wrecked me psychologically," Chet said about that.

Out of control

While he acknowledges that the measure was appropriate and that "I was totally out of control," he blames his parents for the consequences of their decision.

Bad but good

Of course, Chet Hanks clarifies that "I wouldn’t change my situation for anything. I love my parents."

The privileges of being a Hanks

Despite his teenage quarrels, Chet knows that the Hanks surname offers privileges and advantages that are difficult to give up.

'I was able to do a lot of cool things'

"There are a lot of perks, but sometimes it can be quite strange," he said. "I was able to do a lot of cool things that a lot of people didn't have the opportunity to do."

Travel, luxury hotels, private planes...

He gives some examples: "travel the world, stay in nice hotels, fly on private planes, and I feel blessed by this. I wouldn't change my situation," he says.

The name but not the fame

Chet also explains that fame has a dangerous double edge: "My experience was even more complicated because, in addition to the fact that fame is toxic, I wasn’t even famous," he says.

'I was just the son of someone famous'

"I was just the son of someone famous, I hadn’t done anything to deserve any kind of recognition. But what that generated was a lot of disdain for me," he explains. "Finally, at the age of 24, I decided to get some help. With years of sobriety under my belt, I can honestly say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been."

 

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