Fact: There is not a single human being on Earth who doesn't like Tom Hanks. The superstar actor, 61, has carved out an unparalleled career for himself over the course of the last few decades. Not only is he one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood, but he's universally known as one of the nicest guys in the business.
Born in Concord, California, on July 9, 1956, Tom studied theater in college and made his film debut in the 1980 slasher film He Knows You're Alone. After landing his big break with Splash (1984), Tom went on to steal fans' hearts with beloved roles in films like Big (1988), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Philadelphia (1993), Forrest Gump (1994), Saving Private Ryan (1998), and Cast Away (2000).
In 1978, Tom married his college sweetheart Samantha Lewes, with whom he had a daughter and a son. A year after that marriage ended in 1987, Tom and actress Rita Wilson tied the knot; they've been happily married ever since and have two sons together — one of whom is a rapper-turned-actor you've probably heard little about.
Meet Chet Hanks…
Chet was born Chester Marlon Hanks on August 4, 1990, in Los Angeles.
Now 27, Chet has four siblings: A stepbrother named Colin, 40; a stepsister named Elizabeth Ann, 36; and a younger brother named Truman Theodore, 22.
Chet has released a few different rap singles over the years under the stage name Chet Haze, the videos of which can be seen on YouTube. (Warning: Some of his lyrics aren't appropriate for children.)
Chet made headlines in 2015 when he announced that he'd checked into rehab for alcohol and cocaine abuse. At the time, Chet shared his personal challenges on Instagram: "I’ve been struggling with substance abuse since I was 16 years old."
“Finally at the age of 24 I decided to get some help," he continued, adding, “I don’t give a f*** what people think. F*** the media."
"I’m thankful for my family and everybody that cares about me, including my fans," he concluded. "I’ve been blessed with the programs of AA and NA which allow me to rise above this disease. I’m learning to accept my faults and be OK."
Chet has remained sober since going to rehab, recently telling People that, "I wouldn’t trade [sobriety] for anything, because all I did was subtract a few elements from my life, and just by subtracting a few simple things, so much has been added that I don’t even think about going back."
Nowadays, Chet is finding success in a different sector of show business, one his dad is very familiar with: acting.
Chet is currently guest-starring on the hit TV show Empire alongside Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.
Chet plays a rapper on the show, a character that comes easily for him. "I’m very comfortable recording and being in a studio, and I also have some performing experience as well," he told People.
"So that made [the role] a lot more comfortable for me, having that as a part of my history," he added.
Chet revealed that his superstar father once gave him some sage advice for his Empire role: "Show up on time, know your lines, and be nice to everybody," Chet quoted his dad as saying.
You can also catch Chet as Charlie on the hit Showtime comedy-drama Shameless.
Whether Chet's acting career will take off like his dad's is anyone's guess, but one thing's for sure: He isn't stepping out of the spotlight anytime soon.
