Tom Hanks has enjoyed an extraordinary career, starring in over 80 films and earning recognition as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and accomplished actors. Suggesting he’s had only a few noteworthy roles would drastically understate the impact of his work, which includes numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, many of which have received awards.
Among Tom’s most iconic movies are Sleepless in Seattle, Apollo 13, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, and the Toy Story series. Over his four decades in the industry, he has showcased his ability to adapt to a wide range of roles, cementing his reputation as a multifaceted and highly talented actor.
While Tom is affectionately known as “America’s dad,” he also has a strong family of his own. Married to actress and singer Rita Wilson, the couple has two sons, Chet and Truman Hanks. Tom also has two children, Colin and Elizabeth Hanks, from his previous marriage to Samantha Lewes. Collectively, the family boasts a deep connection to the entertainment industry, with all members either acting, working behind the scenes, or having explored acting at some point.
Tom’s eldest son, Colin, has carved out his own path as an actor and producer. A father himself, Colin has two daughters, Olivia and Charlotte, who enjoy a close relationship with their famous grandparents. However, Colin has joked about some parenting differences, expressing that he isn’t always on board with how Tom and Rita handle bedtime and meals during visits.
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Tom and Rita, meanwhile, relish their roles as grandparents. In a June 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight, the couple shared how much they love spending time with their grandkids. While attending the New York City premiere of Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, Tom gushed about the joy of grandparenting, saying, “All you gotta do is love those little brats, and they’re better than TV. They’re not brats—they’re extraordinary young women.” Rita echoed his sentiment, calling them “extraordinary young women.”
In addition to Olivia and Charlotte, Tom and Rita are grandparents to Michaiah, Chet’s daughter. Rita emphasized the importance of building connections with grandkids by being active and engaged in their lives. “You’ve got to hang out,” she explained. “Get on the trampoline, jump in the pool, play tennis—do all the sports.”
Tom humorously added that grandparents should also know how to make the perfect macaroni and cheese for the little ones. He has previously shared that the best part of being a grandparent is the “entertainment factor,” telling E! News in 2018, “You don’t need to watch TV; just follow them around, and your day is made.”
In a 2019 interview with Us Weekly, Colin Hanks revealed that neither of his daughters is interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. While they are aware of their family’s prominence, Colin noted that Olivia and Charlotte aren’t particularly drawn to Hollywood. “They know what their grandfather does, just like they know what I do, but they don’t have much interest in it,” he said, jokingly adding, “I wasn’t on Hannah Montana, so they don’t really care what I do.”
Despite his occasional frustrations with his parents’ grandparenting style, Colin admitted in an interview on The Today Show in October 2022 that Tom and Rita are “great” grandparents. He joked that while his daughters might get a lot of sugar and a disrupted schedule at their grandparents’ house, he’s okay with it in the end.
Through their careers and family bonds, Tom and Rita continue to find joy in their roles as parents and grandparents, embracing the chaos and love that come with their extended family.