Chet Hanks opens up about fame, growing up as Tom Hanks' son: 'A double-edged sword'

Chet Hanks is opening up about what it was like growing up as Tom Hanks' son.

In a video introducing his new YouTube channel Tuesday, Hanks, 31, addressed his famous upbringing because it’s "the No. 1 question" people often ask him – including former President George W. Bush, who Hanks said he met as a 14-year-old during a family visit to the White House.

“There's a lot of advantages, but sometimes it can be pretty weird,” Hanks recalled answering Bush's question at the time.

Hanks said his privileged background has afforded him opportunities to "travel the world, stay in nice hotels, fly in private planes" and that he wouldn’t change the circumstances of his life. "I love my parents," he said of dad Tom Hanks and mom Rita Wilson. "I wouldn’t want any different parents, and I wouldn’t want any different life, so I’m very grateful and blessed for all that."

But growing up famous can be "a double-edged sword," Hanks said, and "it's a lot more complicated" than people realize.

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Hanks launched the video as part of a new fitness program he started, Hanx Fit. He has also dabbled in music and acting, appearing in TV shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Empire" and "Shameless," and rapping under the name Chet Haze.

In his YouTube channel debut, Hanks said he's changed his life and addressed his past struggles with anger and substance abuse. "I no longer have gone down that self-destructive road of dealing with my anger and my resentment by self-destructing, by pleasure-seeking through partying, drugs, alcohol, substances, everything."

Hanks has a history of legal struggles stemming from a relationship with ex-girlfriend Kiana Parker. In March 2021, Hanks was sued for $1 million by Parker, following allegations of physical and mental abuse.

Prior to the lawsuit, Parker had filed for the protective order against Hanks, alleging she needed protection because as their relationship deteriorated, he repeatedly manhandled her, threw things at her and threatened her with a gun in multiple encounters. 

He also allegedly directed racial slurs at her, according to her affidavit. Parker is Black. 

Hanks accused Parker of assault, battery and stealing money and property worth almost $20,000. In a civil lawsuit, he claimed Parker struck him "with a pot and slashed him with a knife."

In Hanks latest video, he talked about how being the son of a celebrity impacted him.

"You've got to keep in mind that fame is the most powerful drug known to man," Hanks said. "It can also be the most destructive. People are infatuated with fame: They put famous people on a pedestal."

He added that fame "creates a lot of jealousy" and and that people, including himself, often seek fame for validation, but "true validation can only come from with yourself."

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Hanks also said he's often perceived as a "really arrogant, entitled, spoiled brat," and said these preconceived notions took a toll on him emotionally.

But he said that is not how he was raised. 

"I’m very privileged, but I wasn’t spoiled," Hanks said. "My parents didn’t spoil me; I was never just given money or an allowance. I had to work and earn everything that I’ve made, and it’s been that way for my entire life."

Hanks has three siblings: brothers Colin, 44 and Truman, 25, and sister Elizabeth Ann, 39. 

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Hanks said that he's "just now getting to the point where I'm starting to truly feel that I don't really have anything to prove to anyone."

"All in all, I'm really happy, and I'm really blessed. I've learned a lot about myself."

Contributing: Maria Puente, Arienne Thompson, USA TODAY staff