The Hanks Dynasty: Where Are Tom Hanks' 4 Children Now In 2025? (Latest Career Updates)

Tom Hanks, one of Hollywood's most celebrated "nice guys" and a true global icon, is also the patriarch of a complex and highly scrutinized family. As of December 2025, his four children—Colin, Elizabeth Ann, Chet, and Truman—are each forging their own unique paths in the entertainment industry, constantly navigating the dual-edged sword of their famous last name and the inevitable "nepo baby" discourse.

The lives of the four Hanks children, spanning two marriages to the late Samantha Lewes and current wife Rita Wilson, are a fascinating study in Hollywood legacy. This in-depth article explores their latest career moves, personal developments, and how they are defining themselves in the current year, providing the most up-to-date information on the next generation of the Hanks dynasty.

The Complete Hanks Family Biography & Profiles

Tom Hanks has four children: two with his first wife, Samantha Lewes (Colin and Elizabeth), and two with his current wife, Rita Wilson (Chet and Truman). Their careers span acting, filmmaking, writing, and music, cementing the family's deep roots in the entertainment world.

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• Colin Hanks
  • Full Name: Colin Lewes Dillingham (Changed to Hanks)
  • Date of Birth: November 24, 1977
  • Mother: Samantha Lewes (First Wife)
  • Primary Career: Actor, Filmmaker, Director
  • Known For: Fargo (TV Series), Life in Pieces, King Kong, and documentary directing.
• Elizabeth Ann "E.A." Hanks
  • Full Name: Elizabeth Ann Hanks
  • Date of Birth: May 17, 1982
  • Mother: Samantha Lewes (First Wife)
  • Primary Career: Writer, Journalist, Editor
  • Known For: Contributions to publications like *Vanity Fair* and *The Huffington Post*, and her recent memoir.
• Chester "Chet" Marlon Hanks
  • Full Name: Chester Marlon Hanks
  • Date of Birth: August 4, 1990
  • Mother: Rita Wilson (Current Wife)
  • Primary Career: Actor, Musician (as Chet Haze), Model
  • Known For: Roles in *Shameless* and *Empire*, his controversial "White Boy Summer" track, and his public struggles with sobriety.
• Truman Theodore Hanks
  • Full Name: Truman Theodore Hanks
  • Date of Birth: December 26, 1995
  • Mother: Rita Wilson (Current Wife)
  • Primary Career: Actor, Cinematographer, Camera Department
  • Known For: Working behind the scenes as a camera trainee and his recent transition to acting, often portraying younger versions of his father's characters.

Colin Hanks and Truman Hanks: The Filmmaking Sons' Major 2025 Projects

While all four siblings are in the public eye, 2025 has been a particularly significant year for Tom Hanks' two sons who have embraced the world of film and television, albeit in very different roles. Both Colin and Truman are currently enjoying critical attention for their latest works, proving the Hanks' Hollywood legacy extends beyond just acting.

Colin Hanks: Stepping Behind the Camera as a Major Director

Colin Hanks, the eldest son, has solidified his reputation as a respected filmmaker and director this year. Known for his acting roles in projects like *Fargo*, Colin's focus has shifted, with his latest documentary generating significant buzz.

His documentary, *John Candy: I Like Me*, was a major highlight of the year, opening the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025. Co-produced by Ryan Reynolds, the film is a portrait of the beloved Canadian actor John Candy and is slated to launch on Amazon Prime Video in October 2025.

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Furthermore, Colin is not stepping away from acting entirely. He is also confirmed to be onboard for the highly anticipated action sequel *Nobody 2*, which is scheduled for an August 15, 2025, release. This blend of directing and acting showcases his versatility and commitment to building a career independent of his father's shadow.

Truman Hanks: From Camera Trainee to Wes Anderson’s New Face

Truman Hanks, the youngest son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, has made one of the most surprising and high-profile moves of the family this year. After graduating from Stanford University in 2018 and starting his career in the demanding world of a camera trainee, Truman has fully stepped into the spotlight as an actor.

In 2025, Truman appeared in the new spy thriller from famed director Wes Anderson, *The Phoenician Scheme*. His unexpected role in the quirky, visually distinct world of a Wes Anderson film has shocked fans and critics alike, signaling a serious pivot in his career.

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He also appeared in the 2025 film *Death of a Unicorn* and previously shared the screen with his father in *A Man Called Otto*, where he played the younger version of Tom Hanks’ character. This recent filmography suggests Truman is actively pursuing a diverse acting career, leveraging his background in cinematography to inform his on-screen work.

Chet Hanks and Elizabeth Ann Hanks: Navigating Controversy and Creative Expression

The two middle children, Chet and Elizabeth, have recently generated the most conversation, each grappling with public scrutiny—Chet through his often-controversial public persona and Elizabeth through the intimate revelations of her new book.

Chet Hanks: New Netflix Role and High-Profile Personal Life

Chester Marlon Hanks, known professionally as Chet Hanks, continues to be the most public and polarizing figure in the Hanks family. He has managed to turn his tumultuous personal life and unique brand into a consistent stream of work.

In February 2025, Chet premiered in the new Netflix series *Running Point*, a major project that showcases his acting skills in a more structured environment. This role comes alongside his casting in the Atlanta-lensed AI horror thriller *Ed*, slated for a September 2025 release, demonstrating his commitment to his acting career.

However, Chet's personal life remains a constant topic of discussion. A February 2025 exclusive interview saw him reveal where he stands with reality star Kim Zolciak, keeping his name in the entertainment news cycle and maintaining his controversial, yet marketable, public profile.

Elizabeth Ann Hanks: The Memoir, Journalism, and the 'Nepo Baby' Debate

Elizabeth Ann Hanks, often referred to as E.A. Hanks, is the only daughter and the most private of the four siblings. Her primary career is as a respected writer and journalist, with bylines in publications like *Vanity Fair* and *The Huffington Post*.

The biggest news surrounding Elizabeth in 2025 is the release of her memoir. The book has brought her personal life—specifically her childhood and relationship with her late mother, Samantha Lewes—into sharp focus.

This has inevitably reignited the "nepo baby" conversation, a term that has defined much of the discourse around celebrity children in recent years. An April 2025 article, in particular, commented on her memoir in the context of this debate. Elizabeth, unlike her brothers, has consistently used her platform to focus on her literary and journalistic work, a clear effort to establish her own identity outside the Hollywood acting sphere. She has chosen the challenging path of creative expression through writing, a career that demands authenticity and vulnerability, especially when discussing a difficult family history.

The Different Paths of the Hanks Children: A Hollywood Legacy

The four children of Tom Hanks represent a fascinating cross-section of the "Hollywood legacy" experience. Colin and Elizabeth, the children from his first marriage to Samantha Lewes, were raised in a different environment than Chet and Truman, the children from his long and stable marriage to Rita Wilson.

Tom Hanks himself has acknowledged the differences in their upbringing, noting that his first two children had a "different" life experience. This distinction is visible in their career choices—Colin's measured acting/directing career and Elizabeth's focus on writing contrast with Chet's more volatile music/acting path and Truman's recent, high-profile pivot to the screen.

Despite the "nepo baby" label that inevitably follows them, all four Hanks children are undeniably successful in their chosen fields as of late 2025. Colin is a critically acclaimed director, Elizabeth is a published author and respected journalist, Chet is starring in a major Netflix series, and Truman is working with cinematic auteurs like Wes Anderson. Their collective work ensures that the Hanks name remains a powerful, multi-generational force in American entertainment.