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E.A. Hanks Reflects on Family, Film and Writing at 92nd Street Y
When Tom Hanks’ daughter, E.A. Hanks, stepped into the historic 92nd Street Y in Manhattan’s Upper East Side in April 2025, the conversation was less about box‑office numbers and more about memory and kinship.
The 92nd Street Y podcast, recorded on April 8, brought the two generations together to talk about her debut memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, and the handful of roles she has played on screen. The book, released in 2025, follows her quest to understand her mother, Susan Dillingham, and to carve out her own place in a family that has long lived under public scrutiny. In the interview, E.A. Hanks explained how the memoir lets her confront the mental‑health and addiction struggles that shaped her mother’s life while interweaving tales of travel and personal growth.
She also took the mic back to the set of a 1994 classic, Forrest Gump, where she appeared as the “School Bus Girl.” The cameo, credited but unpaid, remains her favorite on‑screen moment. A few years later, she made a brief appearance in her father’s 1996 film That Thing You Do, a role that underscored the family’s collaborative spirit.
Since the early 1990s, E.A. Hanks has pivoted toward writing, contributing essays and commentary to Vanity Fair and The Huffington Post. Her work often reflects the same themes that run through her memoir—identity, family dynamics, and the search for meaning.
Tom Hanks’ own career, spanning more than four decades, began in television with the 1980s sitcom Bosom Buddies and blossomed with films such as Splash, Big, and A League of Their Own. He earned back‑to‑back Academy Awards for Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994), and has collaborated repeatedly with directors Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and Nora Ephron. In addition to acting, he has directed projects like That Thing You Do and Larry Crowne.
The Hanks household is not limited to Tom’s legacy. His eldest son, Colin Hanks, began acting in 1991’s Forever Young and later appeared in the TV series Roswell and the film Orange County. Colin earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for his role in Fargo (2014) and has directed documentaries such as All Things Must Pass.
Chet Hanks, Tom’s son with Rita Wilson, entered the industry with a role in the 2007 film Bratz and later portrayed Blake in the television series Empire. He has shared the screen with his father in Greyhound (2020) and holds a recurring role on the sitcom Running Point. Outside acting, Chet is a musician; his track “White Boy Summer” was featured in A Man Called Otto.
The youngest, Truman Hanks, played a young Tom Hanks in A Man Called Otto and is now pursuing a behind‑the‑camera career, aiming to become a cinematographer.
The 92nd Street Y, founded in 1874, has long served as a cultural hub for arts and community events. Its podcast series has become a platform where family members and audiences alike can explore the intersections of personal narrative and creative work.
E.A. Hanks’ interview highlighted the blend of legacy and individual ambition that defines the Hanks household. While her brothers have followed in their father’s footsteps on screen, she has carved a distinct niche as a writer and memoirist. Her reflections on set experiences and her deep dive into family history offer a fresh lens on a household that has helped shape modern Hollywood.
The conversation closed with a reminder of storytelling’s power. E.A. Hanks said her memoir is a vehicle for understanding her family’s past and for connecting with readers who may share similar struggles.
Today, the Hanks family continues to contribute across film, television, and literature. Tom Hanks remains active in acting and directing, while his children pursue diverse creative paths. The 92nd Street Y podcast remains a key venue for sharing these stories with a broader audience.
The 92nd Street Y podcast, recorded on April 8, brought the two generations together to talk about her debut memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, and the handful of roles she has played on screen. The book, released in 2025, follows her quest to understand her mother, Susan Dillingham, and to carve out her own place in a family that has long lived under public scrutiny. In the interview, E.A. Hanks explained how the memoir lets her confront the mental‑health and addiction struggles that shaped her mother’s life while interweaving tales of travel and personal growth.
She also took the mic back to the set of a 1994 classic, Forrest Gump, where she appeared as the “School Bus Girl.” The cameo, credited but unpaid, remains her favorite on‑screen moment. A few years later, she made a brief appearance in her father’s 1996 film That Thing You Do, a role that underscored the family’s collaborative spirit.
Since the early 1990s, E.A. Hanks has pivoted toward writing, contributing essays and commentary to Vanity Fair and The Huffington Post. Her work often reflects the same themes that run through her memoir—identity, family dynamics, and the search for meaning.
Tom Hanks’ own career, spanning more than four decades, began in television with the 1980s sitcom Bosom Buddies and blossomed with films such as Splash, Big, and A League of Their Own. He earned back‑to‑back Academy Awards for Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994), and has collaborated repeatedly with directors Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and Nora Ephron. In addition to acting, he has directed projects like That Thing You Do and Larry Crowne.
The Hanks household is not limited to Tom’s legacy. His eldest son, Colin Hanks, began acting in 1991’s Forever Young and later appeared in the TV series Roswell and the film Orange County. Colin earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for his role in Fargo (2014) and has directed documentaries such as All Things Must Pass.
Chet Hanks, Tom’s son with Rita Wilson, entered the industry with a role in the 2007 film Bratz and later portrayed Blake in the television series Empire. He has shared the screen with his father in Greyhound (2020) and holds a recurring role on the sitcom Running Point. Outside acting, Chet is a musician; his track “White Boy Summer” was featured in A Man Called Otto.
The youngest, Truman Hanks, played a young Tom Hanks in A Man Called Otto and is now pursuing a behind‑the‑camera career, aiming to become a cinematographer.
The 92nd Street Y, founded in 1874, has long served as a cultural hub for arts and community events. Its podcast series has become a platform where family members and audiences alike can explore the intersections of personal narrative and creative work.
E.A. Hanks’ interview highlighted the blend of legacy and individual ambition that defines the Hanks household. While her brothers have followed in their father’s footsteps on screen, she has carved a distinct niche as a writer and memoirist. Her reflections on set experiences and her deep dive into family history offer a fresh lens on a household that has helped shape modern Hollywood.
The conversation closed with a reminder of storytelling’s power. E.A. Hanks said her memoir is a vehicle for understanding her family’s past and for connecting with readers who may share similar struggles.
Today, the Hanks family continues to contribute across film, television, and literature. Tom Hanks remains active in acting and directing, while his children pursue diverse creative paths. The 92nd Street Y podcast remains a key venue for sharing these stories with a broader audience.
