Tom Hanks Responds to Daughter’s Memoir Detailing Alleged Childhood Trauma

Family stories often hold a mix of love, pain, and complicated memories. This is especially true when the people involved are famous, and the private side of their lives comes into the spotlight.

That’s what happened recently when Elizabeth Anne Hanks, known as E.A. Hanks and the daughter of Hollywood star Tom Hanks, released a memoir revealing difficult and painful moments from her childhood.

In April, E.A. published The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, a book that dives deep into her experience growing up, shedding light on aspects of her family life that fans and the public hadn’t seen before. The memoir paints a picture of a childhood far from the usual Hollywood gloss, shaped by her mother’s struggles and the effects those had on her and her brother.

E.A. Hanks is Tom Hanks’s only daughter with his late ex-wife, Susan Dillingham, who performed under the stage name Samantha Lewes. Tom and Susan also had a son, Colin, before their marriage ended in 1987.

Tragically, Susan passed away from lung cancer in 2002 at the age of 49. Since then, Tom has remarried Rita Wilson and has two more sons, Chet and Truman.

But according to E.A., her childhood was very different from that of her half-siblings. Her memoir doesn’t shy away from tough topics; she points to what she believes were her mother’s untreated mental health issues that affected the whole family.

In her new book, Hanks's only daughter makes a stunning revelation.

Among the stories she shares, E.A. talks about custody and how she and her brother Colin were mostly raised by their mom, with visits to their dad during weekends and summers. She writes,

“Eventually a divorce agreement was settled, and I would visit my dad and stepmother (and soon enough my younger half-brothers) on the weekends and during summers, but from ages 5 to 14, years filled with confusion, violence, deprivation, and love, I was a Sacramento girl.”

She also reveals how her mom abruptly moved the kids from Los Angeles to Sacramento without telling Tom, leaving him scrambling to find them. E.A. recalls,

“My dad came to pick us up from school, and we weren’t there. And it turns out we hadn't been there for two weeks, and he had to track us down.”Getty Images

Tom Hanks has four kids.

The memoir goes into detail about the home life during those years. E.A. describes living in a house that looked nice on the outside but was far from perfect.

“I lived in a white house with columns, a backyard with a pool, and a bedroom with pictures of horses plastered on every wall,” she wrote.

But the backyard became so neglected that it was filled with dog waste, the house smelled of smoke, and the fridge was often empty or stocked with expired food. Meanwhile, her mother spent more and more time in bed, reading the Bible.

E.A. writes that the emotional abuse she experienced eventually turned physical. She explains,

“Emotional violence became physical violence,” and says that when she was in seventh grade, the custody agreement changed, and she moved back to Los Angeles.Getty Images

Her father, Tom Hanks, expressed how proud he is of his daughter.

After the book came out, Tom Hanks addressed the claims for the first time while attending the red carpet premiere of his latest film. He said,

“It’s a pride because, I think, she shares it with me; she’s been very open about what the process is.”He added, “I’m not surprised that my daughter had the wherewithal, as well as the curiosity, as well as, I’m going to say, perhaps, the ability to shoot herself in the foot, wherewithal, in order to examine this thing that she was incredibly honest about.”

Tom went on to reflect on how everyone has complicated backgrounds, no matter their family name or public image.

“We all come from checkered, cracked lives, all of us,” he said. “She knows that, and she leads into absolutely everything of it, and I think anyone who does that is a bold journalistic literary mind, and I’m thrilled I can say the same thing about my daughter.” He also praised her personally, saying, “She’s a knockout; she always has been.”Getty Images

The Impact of Family Narratives

Family narratives play a crucial role in shaping our identities, as noted by Dr. Dan Kindlon, a child psychologist. He emphasizes that children learn about their family dynamics through stories shared within the family context, which can influence their emotional development.

In her memoir, E.A. Hanks illustrates how her family's complexities impacted her sense of self. Therapeutic practices recommend that families engage in open conversations to address unresolved issues, allowing members to express their feelings in a safe environment. This approach can help mitigate the long-term effects of childhood trauma.

When discussing childhood trauma, it's vital to consider how it manifests in adulthood. Dr. Amy Cuddy, a renowned social psychologist, explains that individuals often internalize their experiences, leading to issues with self-esteem and perceived social acceptance.

Understanding these dynamics can help families create supportive environments. For instance, implementing family therapy sessions or utilizing journaling as a tool for self-reflection can foster healing. These methods not only promote emotional expression but also assist individuals in processing their experiences, ultimately leading to healthier relationships.

This memoir provides a rare and candid look inside a well-known family, showing that fame and recognition don’t shield anyone from real-life challenges and difficult realities. E.A. Hanks has chosen to share her personal experiences with honesty and openness, shedding light on issues that often remain private.

Her story encourages important conversations about family dynamics, mental health struggles, and the strength it takes to face and overcome adversity.

In conclusion, addressing childhood trauma through effective communication and therapeutic interventions can significantly enhance emotional well-being. As highlighted by experts like Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, fostering positive emotions within family dynamics can lead to healthier relationships.

By encouraging open dialogues about past experiences, families can create a supportive atmosphere that nurtures healing and growth. Ultimately, recognizing and addressing these challenges is crucial for breaking cycles of trauma and fostering resilience in future generations.