Imagine Growing Up Hanks. Chet Hanks, son of the universally adored actor Tom Hanks, recently spilled some tea about his less-than-ideal upbringing. While most people would think having “America’s Dad” as your actual father is a dream come true, Chet, 31, paints a different picture. Despite his father’s kindly image and long-standing marriage to Rita Wilson for the past thirty-three years, Chet felt he missed out on having a “strong male role model” during his formative years.
Now, let’s talk family dynamics. Apart from Chet, the Hanks-Wilson clan includes a 25-year-old named Truman. But wait, the family tree gets bigger! Tom Hanks also has two children from a previous relationship: Colin, 43, and Elizabeth Ann, 38. While Chet has been making waves recently for his Jamaican accent impressions, he’s also been vocal about the shortcomings in his upbringing.
A Confessional on YouTube. In a recently uploaded YouTube video, Chet gave his followers a peek into what growing up with celebrity parents was really like. Despite proclaiming his love for his parents and asserting he wouldn’t want any different parents, Chet dubbed his upbringing a “double-edged sword.”
Confronting the Critics. Chet opened up about facing a lot of “contempt” simply for being Tom Hanks’s son. He described it as a minefield: dodging haters who were always “s***-talking” and sycophants he referred to as “d***-riders”, constantly trying to get something out of their connection to him. Yet, one thing stood out – his childhood was missing that crucial “strong male role model” figure.
This is where it gets gritty. Chet wished there had been someone to tell him, “Hey, bro, f*** these people. They are just jealous of you.” Can you imagine? Simplifying complex feelings down to such a raw sentiment might have helped him navigate the treacherous waters of public perception.
The Complexity of Semi-Fame. Chet pointed out something particularly telling about his experience.
