Growing up with two of Hollywood’s biggest stars did not give Chet Hanks the picture-perfect childhood many people imagined. Instead, the son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson said he spent years struggling with feelings of self-worth while living under the weight of public expectations.
The actor and musician recently reflected on the emotional toll of growing up in a famous family. Thus, explaining that the assumptions people made about his life often left him feeling misunderstood. He also opened up about the pressure of forging his own identity outside of his parents’ success.
Chet Hanks said growing up as the son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson left him questioning his self-worth
Chet made the candid admission during the July 8 episode of Joel Madden’s Artist Friendly podcast. In it, he described what life was really like behind the scenes.
“Bro, I felt worthless,” Chet said. He explained that many people assumed he grew up with unlimited luxury, joking that they imagined a life of, “Ding ding ding, Jeeves, please bring in my croissants.” Instead, he said, “That wasn’t it, dude. It was, like, just feeling worthless.”
Chet said the biggest challenge was that people rarely saw him as an individual. “Who I am is not even a thought in everybody’s mind,” he explained, adding that many assumed he was “a little, spoiled, cocky brat.” Over time, he said, he internalized those assumptions and believed, “there is something wrong with me.”
He also compared his experience to the saying, “Pressure makes diamonds,” before adding, “Pressure also busts pipes.” He said he repeatedly had to “snap” and rebuild himself before eventually finding his footing.
During the conversation, host Joel Madden, who shares two children with his wife, Nicole Richie, asked Chet what advice he would offer parents raising children in the shadow of celebrity. Chet said children of famous parents often struggle because strangers immediately compare them to their parents instead of getting to know them as individuals.
Chet also reflected on how his outlook changed after rehab. He credited gratitude and faith with helping him move forward. He said that his career improved once he stopped trying to control everything and instead “gave it to God.” Chet added that learning to appreciate life’s simplest moments became the turning point in both his personal life and career.
Today, Chet continues acting while pursuing music with his country duo, Something Out West. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson also supported his decision to appear on MTV’s The Surreal Life, with Chet saying he had their “full support.”
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED TO HEAR CHET HANKS SAY HE FELT “WORTHLESS” DESPITE GROWING UP IN ONE OF HOLLYWOOD’S MOST FAMOUS FAMILIES?
This story originally appeared on Realitytea
