5 Shocking Revelations Tom Hanks' Daughter, Elizabeth, Made In Her Candid New 2025 Memoir

The daughter of Hollywood royalty, Elizabeth Ann Hanks, has stepped into the spotlight on her own terms in 2025, not as an actress, but as a candid and critically acclaimed author. Known professionally as E.A. Hanks, she has always maintained a relatively private life compared to her famous father, Tom Hanks, and her actor brother, Colin Hanks. However, the release of her debut memoir this year has cracked open the door to her personal history, revealing a turbulent and complex childhood that has captivated readers and sparked widespread discussion across the entertainment and literary worlds. This deep dive into the life of Tom Hanks’ only daughter, as of December 14, 2025, explores her multifaceted career as a writer and journalist, her early, often-forgotten acting roles, and the powerful, deeply personal narrative she shared in her new book, *The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road*. The book provides a fresh, unvarnished look at what it was truly like growing up with one of the most beloved figures in cinematic history, alongside a mother struggling with her own demons.

Elizabeth Ann Hanks: The Writer and Journalist

While many are familiar with her father's legendary acting career, Elizabeth Ann Hanks, born Elizabeth Anne Hanks, has carved out a distinct and respected path in the world of letters. She is an accomplished writer and journalist, often publishing under the pen name E.A. Hanks.

Complete Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Elizabeth Ann Hanks
• Also Known As: E.A. Hanks (Professional Writing Name)
• Date of Birth: May 17, 1982
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Parents: Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes (actress/producer, deceased)
• Siblings: Colin Hanks (Full Brother), Chet Hanks (Half-Brother), and Truman Hanks (Half-Brother)
• Education: Graduated from Vassar College
• Primary Career: Writer, Journalist, Author, Memoirist
• Notable Publications Contributed To: Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, The Awl, Jezebel, The New York Times, The Guardian
• Debut Memoir: *The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road* (Published April 2025)
• Notable Acting Roles: Cameo in *Forrest Gump* (1994) and *That Thing You Do!* (1996)

Elizabeth is the only daughter of Tom Hanks, a fact that often highlights the contrast in career paths between her and her three brothers, all of whom have pursued acting or music to some degree. She attended Vassar College and then interned at *Vanity Fair* under Graydon Carter, quickly establishing herself as a serious writer focused on cultural commentary and personal essays.

Early Acting Cameos and The Shift to Writing

While E.A. Hanks primarily identifies as a writer, her early life included two notable, albeit minor, appearances in her father’s most famous films, a detail that often surprises fans. In the 1994 blockbuster *Forrest Gump*, Elizabeth had a small, uncredited cameo as the girl on the school bus who refuses to let Forrest sit next to her. Two years later, she appeared in the musical comedy *That Thing You Do!* (1996), which was written and directed by her father. These early roles, though brief, cemented her initial connection to the entertainment world. However, unlike her older brother, Colin Hanks, who is a successful actor and director, Elizabeth chose to pursue journalism and literature. Her work as a journalist has seen her write for some of the most prestigious publications in the world, covering a wide range of topics from pop culture to politics. Her most recent acting credit is a voice role in the Disney animated series *Big City Greens*, demonstrating a continued, occasional connection to the industry.

The 2025 Memoir: *The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road*

The biggest news surrounding Elizabeth Ann Hanks in 2025 is the release of her memoir, *The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road*, published in April. The book is a poignant, honest, and sometimes painful look back at her childhood, centered around a reflective road trip across the country. It is the source of the most "fresh" and "unique" information about her life, moving beyond the simple "daughter of Tom Hanks" narrative. The memoir is an exploration of her relationship with her parents, Tom Hanks and his first wife, Samantha Lewes, who passed away in 2002. It delves into the complexities of her early life, marked by her parents' divorce and the subsequent challenges faced while living with her mother.

Key Revelations from the Memoir

The book’s candid nature has generated significant media attention, as E.A. Hanks does not shy away from detailing the emotional turbulence she experienced.

1. Allegations of Emotional Abuse by Her Mother

The most striking revelation in *The 10* is the detailed account of her mother, Samantha Lewes, struggling with addiction and allegedly subjecting Elizabeth to emotional abuse. E.A. Hanks describes a complicated and often frightening childhood marked by "violence, deprivation" and instability. She recounts a time when she felt like a "child on thin ice" due to her mother’s volatile behavior.

2. Tom Hanks Had to 'Track Them Down'

The memoir reveals that after her parents' divorce and her mother's subsequent struggles, Tom Hanks, despite his busy career, was often forced to actively search for Elizabeth and her brother, Colin, to ensure their safety and well-being. This paints a picture of a father fighting to maintain his connection with his children amidst a chaotic family environment.

3. The Memoir is a 'Reckoning' with Her Past

The central theme of the book is Elizabeth’s journey to reconcile her memories and the stories tied to the places she grew up. The "10" in the title refers to Interstate 10, the highway she travels on a reflective road trip, using the physical journey to process her emotional past and come to terms with her identity.

4. Tom Hanks Was 'Not Surprised' by the Allegations

Following the book's release, Tom Hanks publicly addressed his daughter’s memoir. He stated that he was "not surprised" by the allegations of emotional and verbal abuse E.A. Hanks made against her mother. This public confirmation from the beloved actor added significant weight and gravity to his daughter's claims, showing his support for her truth.

5. The Focus on Forgiveness and Self-Acceptance

Despite the dark subject matter, the memoir is ultimately a story of resilience, forgiveness, and finding one's own voice outside of a famous family name. E.A. Hanks uses the book to explore her own struggles with identity and self-perception, offering a powerful narrative that resonates with readers who have experienced complex family dynamics.

What’s Next for E.A. Hanks?

With the widespread success and critical attention of *The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road*, Elizabeth Ann Hanks has firmly established herself as a significant literary voice. Her work has been lauded for its honesty and depth, moving her beyond the shadow of her famous lineage. As of late 2025, she has been actively involved in promotional tours, including appearances on major network shows to discuss her book. Her future is clearly in the literary world, where she is expected to continue writing compelling, insightful, and topical works that draw from her unique perspective as an observer of both celebrity culture and the broader American experience. She is an entity in her own right—a powerful memoirist and journalist whose story is only just beginning to unfold.