Tom Hanks’ Daughter’s Heartbreaking Disneyland Fear: Life After Losing Her Iconic Dad

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For E.A. Hanks, Disneyland has always been the happiest place on earth.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: In her heartfelt memoir titled “The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road,” the daughter of Tom Hanks and Susan Dillingham candidly shared that the eventual passing of her beloved father might reshape her connection with the iconic California theme park.

As E.A., age 42, penned in the book, Disneyland has been a steadier presence in my life than any home I’ve ever known. I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving within its magical boundaries, I’ve made memories during Christmas time, and I’ve marked more birthdays there than I can recall.

It was particularly significant because it was the place where she and Tom, the father of Colin Hanks (age 47), whom he had with his ex-wife, as well as Chet Hanks (age 34) and Truman Hanks (age 29), with wife Rita Wilson, deepened their relationship.

She mentioned that it’s impossible for her to distinguish the emotional bond she has with Disneyland from the one she shares with her father. This is due to the fact that, like many California daughters, she’s spent a significant amount of time at Disneyland with her dad, and because she knows one day he will pass away.

Entering the park will forever evoke fond memories of Tom for her, especially since his voice as Woody in Toy Story is preserved through its attractions and souvenirs. In 2013, he portrayed Walt Disney himself in Saving Mr. Banks.

She reminisced about the time when she would visit Disneyland for the first time after her father’s passing, and how hearing Woody’s voice would remind her of him. In that instant, it felt as though the event had already transpired, and she was experiencing the feelings future her would have, causing an overwhelming surge of emotion.

Reflecting on this, I, Elizabeth Anne Hanks, find myself caught between joy and melancholy as I ponder the thought. Disneyland embodies a piece of my father’s spirit that will endure eternally.

Apart from the heritage left by her father at the park, she also noted that it serves as a personal tribute to art, standing defiantly against the inevitability of death.

As she put it, “Walt’s vision survives, and some part of my father will too. Art survives.”

Despite the sweetness of her relationship with the actor from “Forrest Gump” being as delightful as a box of chocolates, her interactions with Susan were more complex. Reflecting on her challenging childhood, E.A. hypothesized that her mother might have had struggles with mental health issues.

In the book, she clarified that her mother was likely suffering from bipolar disorder with extreme spells of paranoia and delusion. This helps explain those nights when we sat together on a blanket in the driveway, my mother crying hysterically, convinced there were men secretly inside our home, listening to our conversations through the walls, and waiting for us in our bedrooms.

By the age of 14, she came to understand that her home environment wasn’t typical. She observed that there should have been a consistent supply of food, assistance with homework, and late-night lectures about the evils of yoga were not common occurrences in other households.

Luckily, E.A. found support in Rita, 68, and her brothers in addition to Tom. 

She wrote, “When I refer to my parents, it includes my father and Rita, as they have been a couple for as long as I can recall, even before I turned 4 or 5.

Rita isn’t simply a stepmother; she’s more like another mother to me,” she pointed out. “I don’t recall ever labeling them as my half-brothers, though technically they are. Chester was already five when I moved to Los Angeles, and Truman had just been born, so neither remembers a time before I lived with them. We’re like a close-knit group.

Now, read on for a breakdown of the Hanks family.

By the age of 14, she came to understand that her home environment was not typical or ideal. She observed that there should have been a consistent supply of food at home, and help with schoolwork would have been beneficial. Additionally, it was evident that she was not exposed to experiences such as being awakened in the middle of the night for an unscheduled lecture on yoga being associated with the devil, which seemed unusual in other households.

Luckily, E.A. found support in Rita, 68, and her brothers in addition to Tom. 

She mentioned her parents, but what she actually means are her father and Rita. They have been a couple since before she has clear memories, which would put their relationship at least from the age of 4 or 5.

Rita isn’t merely my stepmother; she’s more like a second mother to me,” she pointed out. “I don’t recall ever using the term ‘half brothers’ for Chester and Truman, though they do fall into that category technically speaking. Chester was five and Truman had just been born when I moved to Los Angeles, so neither of them can remember a time without me living with them. We’re a close-knit group.

Now, read on for a breakdown of the Hanks family.

Although Tom Hanks is widely recognized as an Academy Award-winning actor, to his children – Colin Hanks, E.A. Hanks, Chet Hanks, and Truman Hanks – he’s simply their dad. In a conversation with The New York Times in 2019, the Forrest Gump star shared, “I eventually realized that as a parent, you can only do one thing: tell them I love you, make it clear they can’t hurt my feelings or disappoint me, ask for forgiveness when needed, and ask what they need from me. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. That’s it. Offer that up and just love them.” For Tom Hanks, who has been married to Rita Wilson since 1988, safeguarding his children’s privacy is a key part of keeping them secure. As he explained in a 2020 episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger, “We learned to distinguish between our public and private duties. There are times when we need to be in the public eye, but there are also times when we should not. When our children were growing up, we carefully protected their privacy.

Prior to Tom marrying Rita, he encountered his future spouse Susan Dillingham (who played minor roles as Samantha Lewes) while both were students at Sacramento State. They were already parents to their son Colin, born in 1977, when they tied the knot in 1980 and later welcomed a daughter E.A. (whose initials represent Elizabeth Ann) in 1982. However, three years into their marriage, Tom and Susan separated.

In his own words during an interview on In Depth With Graham Bensinger in 2020, Tom described this period as “a terribly agonizing time filled with intense emotions, negative feelings, and the realization of personal failures.” He went on to explain that he felt like he had brought upon innocent beings his own shortcomings.

Tom sought therapy and leaned on trusted individuals for support during this challenging phase. He mentioned that help could come from various sources such as a church priest or a good friend. In his experience, these were the types of people who would say, “You know, you’re not a terrible person, and this will pass. You just need to have a bit of faith and goodness within yourself.”

Tragically, Susan lost her battle with cancer in 2002.

Tom and Rita initially crossed paths in 1981 during her guest appearance on his sitcom “Bosom Buddies,” and they later shared the screen in the 1985 movie “Volunteers.” According to GQ, as reported by People, Tom described their connection during Volunteers as immediate and unavoidable. After confirming her feelings, they tied the knot in 1988. Throughout their life together, they have not only been partners in love but also in work, appearing in films like “That Thing You Do!” and “Sleepless in Seattle” and producing movies such as “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “A Man Called Otto.”

Through thick and thin, including Rita’s 2015 battle with breast cancer, they have stood by each other’s side. In March 2025, marking her 10th year of being cancer-free, she acknowledged that they continue to invest in their relationship to keep the flame burning bright.

As Rita explained in a 2019 interview with Access Hollywood, maintaining a long-term relationship requires both partners to nurture and sustain the initial spark. She believes that, while there will inevitably be ups and downs, having that initial connection is crucial for a lasting partnership.

Colin Hanks, son of Tom from his prior marriage with Susan, developed a fondness for acting at a young age, similar to his father. In an episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend in 2022, he mentioned that the reason he chose acting was because it was the most enjoyable for him. However, there was a moment when he distanced himself from acting due to the expectations people had given his famous father. It was Tom’s guidance that encouraged him to return to acting.

Colin later became a successful actor, appearing in numerous films and television shows such as Life in Pieces, Roswell, Orange County, King Kong, The House Bunny, and Untraceable. He has also provided voiceovers for animated projects like Talking Tom and Friends.

Currently, Colin is married to Samantha Bryant and they have two daughters named Olivia and Charlotte.

Tom’s only child from his former marriage with Susan, E.A. Hanks, chose a different career path than her siblings who were drawn to filmmaking. Previously employed as a writer for Vanity Fair, E.A. has also contributed articles to TIME, The Guardian, and The New York Times. She is an author herself, with her memoir titled “The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road” set to be released on April 8, 2025.

According to Simon & Schuster’s description, the book chronicles E.A.’s journey as she retraces a previous road trip with her mother in an effort to comprehend the complex woman who brought her into this world. In a People magazine excerpt, E.A. recalls the period following her parents’ divorce when Susan had custody of her and her brother Colin while Tom visited them on weekends. However, one day, she wrote, Susan relocated them from L.A. to Sacramento without informing their father in advance.

In the book, E.A. also recounts her experiences living with her mother, describing a backyard filled with dog waste, a house permeated by smoke, and an empty or expired food-stocked refrigerator. She wrote, “One night, her emotional abuse turned physical, and in its aftermath, I moved to Los Angeles, right in the middle of seventh grade.

Born in August 1990, Chet Hanks is the eldest son of Tom and Rita, who have passed on their love for acting to him. Over the course of his career, he has made appearances in TV shows such as “Running Point”, “Your Honor”, “Empire”, and “Shameless” and movies like “Dead Wrong”, “Fantastic Four”, and films starring his father, such as “Larry Crowne” and “Greyhound”.

In an interview with Bustle in March 2025, Chet shared that acting was a family tradition, stating that he always knew it would be part of his life. He also has a passion for music, releasing rap tracks and forming the country music duo Something Out West. In March 2025, they released a “Forrest Gump”-themed music video for their song “You Better Run,” featuring Tom.

Chet gained attention in 2024 as a cast member on the reality show “The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets.” He also made headlines for some contentious moments, including his use of a Jamaican Patois accent at the 2020 Golden Globes and coining the phrase “white boy summer” in 2021.

Recently, Chet has been concentrating on his work, family (he shares a daughter named Michaiah with ex Tiffany Miles), and sobriety. He expressed gratitude for his parents’ unwavering support during his journey, noting that they have always been there for him. In a March 2025 episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Chet shared that he is three years sober and appreciates their support.

Truman Hanks, born in December 1995, is the youngest sibling of the Hanks family. Much like his older brothers, he’s choosing a career path similar to his famous parents, Tom and Rita, by delving into the world of filmmaking. However, Tom mentioned that Truman seems more inclined towards working behind the scenes.

Tom explained during an interview on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show in 2023, “Truman has been tinkering with cameras and lenses since high school, even creating his own films. In fact, he’s a member of Local 600, the camera union here in New York. He’s already worked on films as part of the camera department and has shot his own projects. He’s been a cinematographer and director of photography.”

Truman has also ventured into acting, portraying the younger version of Tom’s character in the 2022 film A Man Called Otto. Tom humorously commented, “His fate, whether it’s a blessing or a curse, is that he and I look remarkably similar at the age of 26.”

Aside from his passion for filmmaking, Truman is also a mathematics enthusiast who graduated with a degree from Stanford University.

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2025-04-12 14:17