5 Shocking Revelations In E.A. Hanks' Memoir 'The 10'—The Daughter Of Tom Hanks Breaks Her Silence

The highly anticipated memoir from E.A. Hanks, *The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road*, has finally been published, offering a raw and candid look into the difficult childhood of Tom Hanks’ only daughter. Released on April 8, 2025, the book delves deep into the complexities of growing up with a famous father and a troubled mother, revealing a family history far more complicated than the public image suggests. This deeply personal narrative centers on her quest for identity, tracing a cross-country road trip that mirrors one her mother took decades earlier, using old diaries to unlock the mysteries of her past and the trauma that shaped her. The memoir has generated significant buzz, not just for the author’s famous lineage, but for its unflinching portrayal of alleged emotional abuse and mental illness within the Hanks' first family. While Tom Hanks himself has publicly praised his daughter's work as "incredibly honest" and "bold," the book shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked life of his first wife, Samantha Lewes, and the toll her struggles took on their children. E.A. Hanks' powerful writing establishes her as a formidable voice separate from her celebrity surname, tackling themes of generational trauma, family identity, and the search for peace on the open road.

E.A. Hanks: Biography and Profile

Elizabeth Anne “E.A.” Hanks is an accomplished writer, journalist, and the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his late first wife, actress Samantha Lewes. Her career has seen her contribute to numerous high-profile publications, establishing her as a respected voice in literature and journalism long before the release of her first memoir.

• Full Name: Elizabeth Anne Hanks (E.A. Hanks)
• Born: May 17, 1982
• Age (as of late 2025): 43
• Birthplace: Burbank, California, US
• Parents: Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes (born Susan Dillingham)
• Sibling: Colin Hanks (older brother)
• Education: Vassar College
• Career: Writer, Journalist, Contributor to *Vanity Fair*, *Time*, *The Guardian*, *The New York Times*, and *The Huffington Post*.
• Memoir: *The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road* (Published: April 8, 2025)

E.A. Hanks and her older brother, Colin Hanks, are the children from Tom Hanks’ first marriage to Samantha Lewes, whom he met while studying theatre at California State University, Sacramento. The couple married in 1978 and divorced in 1987. Samantha Lewes, who went by her stage name, tragically passed away from bone cancer in 2002 at the age of 49. The memoir serves as a poignant and often painful exploration of their mother's life and the legacy she left behind.

The Core Journey: What 'The 10' Is Really About

The central narrative of *The 10* is a literal and metaphorical journey of self-discovery. The title, *The 10*, refers to a specific road trip—a six-month cross-country drive E.A. Hanks undertook to retrace the route her mother, Samantha Lewes, took during a pivotal time in her life.

Recreating a Pivotal Road Trip

The memoir is structured around the author's decision to recreate a cross-country drive her mother took in the 1970s. This journey, which E.A. Hanks embarks on as an adult, is a powerful attempt to connect with the woman her mother was before her mental health struggles and alleged abusive behavior took hold. The trip is guided by her mother’s old, fragmented diaries and her own childhood memories. Through this process, Hanks intertwines geography and memory, drawing readers into a deeply personal quest to understand her family's roots and the mysteries that surrounded her mother’s past. The open road becomes a canvas for processing generational trauma and seeking a new understanding of her identity.

Unflinching Look at a 'Troubled' Childhood

The book is most compelling—and controversial—in its detailed accounts of E.A. Hanks' difficult upbringing. She writes about a childhood marked by her mother’s mental illness and the alleged emotional abuse and physical violence she and her brother endured. The author makes it clear that while her father, Tom Hanks, was a loving presence, the divorce and her mother's subsequent struggles created a turbulent home environment. The memoir does not shy away from the pain of these memories, offering an honest portrayal of the challenges faced by children of divorce, especially when one parent is battling severe personal demons.

The Most Candid Revelations from the Memoir

While the memoir is a cohesive narrative of family and identity, several specific stories and themes have captured public attention, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain of one of Hollywood’s most famous families. These revelations are central to the book's candid and "knockout" reputation.

1. The Reality of Samantha Lewes' Mental Health

E.A. Hanks dedicates a significant portion of the book to exploring her mother’s mental health struggles, which she identifies as the root of the alleged abuse. She writes about the confusion and fear of growing up with a mother who was unpredictable and often volatile. The memoir attempts to move beyond simply labeling her mother as "abusive" to understanding the underlying pain and illness that drove her actions.

2. The Moment Tom Hanks Showed Fear

One of the most powerful anecdotes shared by E.A. Hanks is recalling the first time she saw her seemingly invincible father, Tom Hanks, genuinely afraid. This moment, which she details in the book, was a profound experience that shattered her childhood perception of her father as an untouchable figure. It provides a humanizing and vulnerable look at the actor, suggesting the immense strain the family dynamics placed on him as well.

3. The Impact of the Divorce on the Children

The memoir chronicles the unexpected decision by her mother to leave the family, an event that profoundly impacted the children. E.A. Hanks explores the emotional fallout of the divorce, which occurred when she was very young, and how the subsequent years were defined by a sense of displacement and navigating two very different family lives—one with her rising star father and the other with her troubled mother.

4. The Uncovering of Surprising Family Secrets

As the author follows her mother's road trip route, she uncovers surprising family secrets contained within the old diaries. These revelations, which range from delightful discoveries to painful truths, help E.A. Hanks piece together a more complete picture of her mother's life and the generational patterns that affected her. This search for truth is a central element of the book's narrative tension.

5. Tom Hanks' 'Incredibly Honest' Reaction

In a move that speaks volumes about their relationship, E.A. Hanks shared that both her father, Tom Hanks, and her older brother, Colin Hanks, were among the first people to read the deeply personal manuscript. Tom Hanks publicly broke his silence on the book, calling his daughter a "knockout" and the memoir "incredibly honest." His support underscores the book’s message of healing and the family's acceptance of her truth, despite the difficult subject matter.

Topical Authority and Legacy of 'The 10'

*The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road* is more than just a celebrity tell-all; it is a significant piece of literary non-fiction that tackles universal themes through a specific, high-profile lens. The book has been lauded for its fresh voice and its ability to intertwine personal trauma with a compelling travel narrative. E.A. Hanks' decision to detail her experiences with her mother, Samantha Lewes (Susan Dillingham), and the complexity of growing up as a child of divorce with a famous parent, adds a crucial layer to the public understanding of celebrity families. The memoir contributes to the growing body of literature on generational trauma and the mental health crises often hidden behind closed doors, regardless of wealth or fame. By focusing on her own journey to understand her roots and find peace, E.A. Hanks has successfully carved out her own authority as a writer, separate from the enduring legacy of her father. The book is a testament to the power of the open road as a path toward healing and self-acceptance.