Tom Hanks Responds to Daughter E.A. Hanks’ Memoir,

At the May 29 premiere of The Phoenician Scheme, Tom Hanks addressed his daughter E.A. Hanks’ revealing memoir, The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road. The book, released in April, explores her turbulent childhood with her mother, Susan Dillingham, after her parents’ 1985 divorce. Tom praised E.A.’s honesty and courage, noting the complexity of lives behind seemingly privileged appearances. The memoir describes emotional and physical abuse, neglect, and instability, leading E.A. to eventually live with her father. Her writing journey began while researching another topic, but discovering her mother’s journals shifted her focus to family trauma and self-discovery.

E.A.’s memoir has sparked mixed public reactions, with some criticizing Tom and others supporting her bravery. She emphasizes the importance of asking personal questions, regardless of one’s background. Though reactions online have been divided—ranging from sympathy to skepticism—the book has become a national bestseller. E.A. recalls balancing two vastly different lives: chaotic years in Sacramento with her mother and stability in Los Angeles with her father. Her brother Colin’s support proved vital in writing the memoir, which delves into how children often hide family dysfunction out of shame. Tom and Colin were her early readers, confirming the memoir’s accuracy.