Tom Hanks' wayward son - the only person in the world who badmouths him
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?
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
In a video called 'The truth about growing up like a Hanks,' he reflects on his life, his problems, his fears, and his career.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Of course, Chet Hanks clarifies that "I wouldn’t change my situation for anything. I love my parents."
Despite his teenage quarrels, Chet knows that the Hanks surname offers privileges and advantages that are difficult to give up.
"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."
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.
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 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."