Tom Hanks Supports Daughter's Memoir, Says 'We All Come from Checkered, Cracked Lives'

Published: June 5, 2025

Tom Hanks is speaking out for the first time following the release of his daughter E.A. Hanks' memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, which alleges that her mom, actress Samantha Lewes, was emotionally and physically abusive.

"I'm not surprised that my daughter had the wherewithal as well as the curiosity to examine this thing," he explained to Access Hollywood recently. "We all come from checkered, cracked lives, all of us."

The Forrest Gump star, 68, addressed the abuse allegations in E.A.'s book, which was published on April 8, during a conversation with Access Hollywood on Wednesday, May 26, at the red carpet premiere of his new film, The Phoenician Scheme.

E.A.'s memoir details experiencing "emotional violence" and "physical violence" from her mother, whose real name is Susan Dillingham, after her parents' divorce. Tom Hanks and Dillingham tied the knot in January 1978, and their divorce was finalized in 1987. Dillingham got primary custody, and the kids had designated weekend and summer visits with Hanks.

In the memoir, E.A., whose real name is Elizabeth Anne, wrote about experiencing "emotional violence" and "physical violence" from her mother, who she claims was bipolar with episodes of extreme paranoia and delusion.

E.A. said she moved to Los Angeles after her mother's alleged abuse took a turn for the worse. "One night, her emotional violence became physical violence, and in the aftermath I moved to Los Angeles, right smack in the middle of the seventh grade. My custody arrangement basically switched — now I lived in L.A. and visited Sacramento on the weekends and in the summer."

Check out more celebrity news at ariana grande and Cynthia Erivo return in dramatic wicked for good trailer

Tom Hanks' latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, centers around a wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (played by Benicio Del Toro), who "appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins," per IMDb. Hanks plays Korda's business associate, Leland. The film also stars Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, and more.

The film was released in limited theaters on May 30 and will see a wide release on June 6.

Check out more celebrity news at Aaron Judge's custom game day pendant boasts over 12 carats in diamonds and a sparkly $20,000 price tag

Check out more celebrity news at Jason Kelce shows off his legs after losing 35 pounds

Check out more celebrity news at Hearts' prized instruments stolen ahead of show, band offers reward for safe return

Check out more celebrity news at Mark Hamill credits Carrie Fisher with helping him embrace his Star Wars legacy

Check out more celebrity news at Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach to make Broadway debuts in new play Dog Day Afternoon

Check out more celebrity news at Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood address feud rumors for the first time in raw new interview

Check out more celebrity news at Huey Lewis shares outlook on living with Meniere's disease: 'Bottom line is I'm still a lucky guy'

Check out more celebrity news at Vanna White, Ryan Seacrest, and Maggie Sajak match each other and the set in coordinated Wheel of Fortune looks

Check out more celebrity news at Adrianne Curry blames viewers more than Tyra Banks for toxicity surrounding America's Next Top Model

Check out more celebrity news at Matt Iseman finds love after 50, and shares unique wedding moment

Check out more celebrity news at Jax Taylor sparks concern after claiming he can hear everything in Brittany Cartwright's home