Hollywood's Most Tormented Father-Son Relationship Laid Bare — How Tom and Chet Hanks Have Warred Over Everything from Allowance to Addiction
Aug. 20 2024, Published 8:00 p.m. ET
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Reportedly Never Gave Chet Hanks an Allowance
Chet Hanks claimed in a September 2021 interview with Andrew Callaghan his celebrity parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, did not spoil him financially.
The Curb Your Enthusiasm star, 33, said: "People assume I lived this super privileged life, richy rich, and that just wasn't the case. It was actually the opposite.
"I don't know if I'm the brokest rich kid or the richest broke kid. … I just wish I could have been more anonymous."
Chet Alleged He Had a Toxic Upbringing
Following his initial comment about Tom and Rita, Chet shared more details about his childhood in a YouTube video.
He said: "I didn’t have a strong male role model to tell me that. To tell me, 'Bro, f--- these people. They are just jealous of you. You have all these things that they want so they are trying to f------ throw their shade at you so you can feel s----- about yourself because they are jealous.'"
Chet added: "I needed to hear that. I didn't have anyone to tell me that. This is me now telling the younger version of myself what I needed to hear then."
Chet Hanks Said His Father's Fame Took a Toll on Him
Chet raised eyebrows when he revealed in a vlog how Tom's "toxic fame" led him to self-destruct.
He said: "My experience was even more complicated because on top of fame already being toxic, I wasn't even famous.
"I was just the son of somebody famous so I hadn't even done anything to deserve any sort of recognition and that created a lot of contempt."
Chet Hanks Grew Up Normally
Chet appeared on the Impaulsive podcast in February 2021, spilling about his "normal" life despite having famous parents.
The White Boy Summer singer said: "I mean I've just known so many kids that I grew up with that, you know, came from similar backgrounds but were raised completely different to me, that really can be like a disaster."
Chet Hanks Shared What It Felt Like Living in His Father's Shadow
Speaking with TooFab in 2019, Chet expressed how much he loved his father – who he called "a great dad, man and actor" despite failing to escape his shadow.
He said: "If I invented a cure for cancer tomorrow, in the article it would say, 'Tom Hanks' Son Invents The Cure For Cancer,' you know what I mean? It's inevitable."
Chet Hanks Struggled Growing Up Because of His Famous Parents
In 2022, Chet spoke candidly about the public painting him as a "spoiled brat" in a YouTube video.
He said: "My parents didn't spoil me; I was never just given money or an allowance. I had to work and earn everything that I've made, and it's been that way for my entire life."
Tom and Chet Hanks Worked Together in a Film
In July 2020, Tom and Chet's film Greyhound showed their father-and-son relationship.
The Elvis actor shared during his appearance on an episode of the Late Night Show With Stephen Colbert the experience "was incredibly fun" because his son was "just so good".
Chet Hanks Had the Best Support During His Substance Abuse Battle
In his interview with ET in June 2018, Chet applauded his parents for being supportive of him during his substance abuse battle.
The Your Honor star said: "Every step of the way: They've always been there for me and I'm really lucky."
Tom Hanks also commented on his son's sobriety while speaking with the same outlet in 2015.
The Cast Away actor said: "As a parent, you love your kids unconditionally. You support them every step of the way. You got to applaud the bravery and honesty when it actually comes out of your own house."
In June, a source told Star magazine Tom has done his best to help his son get through scandals and controversies amid his addiction struggles.
Chet Reunited With His Parents
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To mark the holiday season in 2023, the Do It Better singer posted a photo of himself with his mom and dad alongside the caption, "Gang".
Tom Hanks and Chet Had a Wholesome Moment Off-Camera
Chet posted a screenshot of his conversation with his father on his Instagram in May, showing Tom asking him about the drama between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
The Forrest Gump actor hilariously asked his son after reading the lengthy response: "Holy cow! These are fighting words. People taking sides? Who's winning?"
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