The “Forrest Gump” actor rose to fame in the 1980s after he landed his first few roles in Hollywood movies. His role as Josh Baskin in the 1988 movie “Big” gave him fame and success, skyrocketing his acting career to new heights.
At that point, Tom Hanks had established himself as an actor before he went on to give more super-hit films. While his fans praised his success, they did not know that their favorite actor had a rocky childhood.Tom Hanks in West Hollywood, California, 1986 | Source: Getty Images

Being the youngest of his siblings, Tom saw his parents’ marriage come to an end at a very young age. He was five when they divorced, which marked the beginning of a new era in the actor’s life.

In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Tom revealed that he spent his childhood moving houses and had to look after himself. He said:

“We were tasked with making our own lunches and dinners.”

Despite having a difficult childhood, Tom was never abused but didn’t get the care he wanted. During the interview, he said he “pretended to be somebody he’s not” when he was a kid. The actor confessed it felt lonely to live without adults supervising him.

Why Did Tom Hanks Call Himself the Worst Dad after a Hard Divorce?
After living a difficult life as a child, Tom tied the knot at an early age in hopes of getting rid of his loneliness. He wanted to have a partner, so he married his first wife, Samantha Lewes, at 21.

During their short-lived marriage, the couple welcomed two children, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Ann Hanks. Tom shared what he felt after becoming a father for the first time:

“Having a kid at 21 was the greatest thing that ever happened to me because I didn’t smoke pot.”

However, things did not work out between Tom and Lewes, which made them part ways. The “Cast Away” actor confessed divorcing his wife brought back memories from his childhood. He didn’t want his children to feel the same way he did when his parents parted ways..”I couldn’t be a worse father,” Tom recalled of the painful time his children watched their parents end their marriage. He didn’t want his kids to worry about his failed marriage.

After going through that rough patch in his life, the actor learned that children should have a “carefree life for as long as possible.” He believes parents should not put their kids in a position where they have to worry about life problems.

Soon after parting ways with his first wife, Hanks married Rita Wilson, who later gave birth to his two other children, Chet and Truman Hanks. When he met Wilson, he believed she was the right woman for him and thought he wouldn’t “ever be lonely anymore.”

How Does Tom Hanks Care For His 3 Granddaughters Nowadays?
After giving their children the best life possible, Hanks and Wilson now enjoy spending time with their three granddaughters—Olivia and Charlotte, courtesy of Colin, and Michaiah from Chet.The couple’s grandchildren keep them entertained. According to Hanks, “All you gotta do is love those little brats and they’re better than TV.” Then he corrected himself, adding, “They’re not little brats, they’re extraordinary young women.”Meanwhile, Wilson shared that it is essential to be attentive and “hang out” with their grandchildren. Thus, she engages in outdoor activities with them, including jumping on the trampoline, swimming, and playing tennis. As for Hanks, while this is all good, he believes perfecting mac and cheese is just as crucial.