E.A. Hanks Reflects on Troubling Childhood and Her Connection with Tom Hanks

In her memoir, E.A. Hanks shares her childhood filled with confusion, violence, and love, revealing touching moments with her father, Tom Hanks.

A Glimpse into E.A. Hanks' Childhood

E.A. Hanks, the daughter of beloved actor Tom Hanks, has opened a window into her past through her new memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road. In her book, she describes her childhood filled with "confusion, violence, deprivation, and love."

Now 42 years old and the only daughter of Tom Hanks and his first wife, Susan Dillingham, E.A. provides heartfelt insights into her formative years. The couple met during their theater studies at Sacramento State University in the 1970s and tied the knot in 1978, shortly after welcoming their son, Colin Hanks. E.A. arrived in 1982, but the marriage strained and the couple eventually divorced in 1987.

A Question That Haunts

Throughout her memoir, E.A. recalls not only the struggles she encountered but also the poignant moments with her father. One striking memory she shares is the question she once posed to him: "Was I a ‘save the marriage’ baby?"

In her memoir, she writes,

“No,” he assured me, “but you were a ‘someone died and I feel the urge to create life’ baby.”

The death that prompted this feeling was that of her maternal grandfather, John Raymond Dillingham.

E.A. explains,

“Turns out, after her father’s death, my mother wanted another child. Without the death of John Raymond Dillingham, I never enter the picture.”

This powerful revelation sheds light on the emotional complexity of her existence and the circumstances surrounding her birth.

Strained Relationships and New Beginnings

E.A.’s relationship with her mother was marked by turmoil. In her memoir, she candidly states,

“One night, her emotional violence became physical violence.”

Yet, amid the chaos, she finds solace in her relationship with her stepmother, Rita Hanks.

“When I say my parents, I really mean my dad and Rita because they’ve been together since before I can really remember,” she explains. “They’ve been together since I was 4 or 5.”

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson married in 1988 and share two sons, Chet Hanks and Truman Hanks, further expanding the family dynamic.

Finding Peace and Understanding

E.A.'s journey through her childhood experiences, as documented in her memoir, resonates with many who have faced familial challenges. She articulates the confusion and emotional turmoil of her early years, yet also emphasizes the importance of healing and understanding through her relationships with her father and stepmother.

Her story is a testament to resilience, capturing the essence of the struggle between love and turmoil. As E.A. reflects on her life, she offers readers a glimpse of not only the struggles she faced but also the love that has guided her through the storm.

FAQs:

• What prompted E.A. Hanks to write her memoir? E.A. Hanks aimed to share her personal experiences and emotional journey to provide insight into her complex childhood.
• How does E.A. describe her relationship with her mother? E.A. describes her relationship with her mother as fraught with emotional and physical pain, detailing instances of emotional violence.
• What did Tom Hanks say when E.A. asked about her birth? Tom Hanks assured E.A. that she was not a 'save the marriage' baby, but rather a 'someone died and I feel the urge to create life' baby.
• How has E.A. Hanks' relationship with her stepmother influenced her? E.A. shares a close bond with her stepmother, Rita Hanks, and considers her and Tom as her true parents since their marriage during her childhood.
• What themes are explored in E.A. Hanks’ memoir? The memoir explores themes of confusion, violence, deprivation, love, and the complexity of familial relationships.

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