Tom Hanks Responds to Daughter’s Memoir Allegations with Support and Reflection

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks has publicly addressed the deeply personal and emotional revelations made by his daughter, E.A. Hanks, in her newly released memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road. The book, which delves into E.A.’s difficult upbringing, includes claims of emotional and physical abuse during her early childhood—claims that have drawn both public attention and praise for their honesty. In a recent interview on the red carpet of The Phoenician Scheme premiere, Tom Hanks broke his silence, sharing his thoughts on the memoir and his daughter’s decision to publish it.

“I’m proud of her,” Hanks said. “I’m proud of her honesty, of her courage to tell her story, and to tell it in her own voice. She’s not afraid to expose herself or the truth, even when it’s painful.” The actor acknowledged that all families are imperfect, adding, “We all come from cracked or checked lives. We all carry things. The real strength lies in examining those things with open eyes and writing about them with authenticity.”

E.A. Hanks, born Elizabeth Anne Hanks in 1982, is the daughter of Tom Hanks and the late Samantha Lewes, whom Hanks divorced in 1987. In The 10, she recounts a childhood filled with emotional neglect and physical abuse while living with her mother. She describes instances of being pushed, having her hair pulled, being locked in a closet, and being surrounded by unsanitary and unsafe conditions. Her story paints a vivid and heartbreaking portrait of a home life that deteriorated under the weight of what she suspects was her mother’s untreated bipolar disorder.

Despite the painful memories, E.A. also writes about love, complexity, and eventual healing. At the age of 13, she moved in with her father and stepmother, actress Rita Wilson, whom she affectionately calls “my other mother.” She credits that period with providing stability and allowing her to begin the process of recovery. “They saved me,” she writes. “There was light, warmth, and consistency.”

Tom Hanks, now 68, has been open in recent years about the challenges of fatherhood. In past interviews, he has expressed regret over not always being present during his children’s early lives. “I could not have been a worse father, a worse human being,” he once admitted. But today, he appears to embrace his role as a supportive and understanding parent, deeply respectful of his daughter’s autonomy and voice.

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“She’s a brilliant literary and journalistic mind,” Hanks said. “And if you’ve had kids, you know you can see their essence when they’re just a few weeks old. E.A. always had this curiosity, this edge, and this drive to understand the world—and herself.”

Since its publication in April, The 10 has received acclaim for its raw and reflective tone. Critics have praised the memoir for contributing to ongoing conversations around childhood trauma, mental illness, and resilience. E.A.’s decision to share her story has been widely seen as a courageous act that gives voice to those who have endured similar experiences in silence.

For Tom Hanks, the experience of reading his daughter’s work is not without emotion, but he stands by her. “It’s not easy to read about yourself in that context. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t true, or important, or valuable,” he said. “I respect her journey and the power of her telling it.”

As father and daughter navigate this chapter in their relationship, the public response has been largely one of admiration. Their story—a blend of pain, redemption, and the enduring strength of familial bonds—offers a reminder that healing is possible when stories are told and heard with compassion.