Chet Hanks has opened up about feeling “worthless” while growing up under the shadow of his well-known parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, as reported by RadarOnline.com.
The self-proclaimed “black sheep” of his family, due to his controversial statements and issues with substance abuse, shared these thoughts during a conversation on Joel Madden’s Artist Friendly podcast.
Discussing his upbringing, Chet explained, “People often ask me what it was like to grow up in my family. They have this preconceived notion of luxury, like ‘Ding ding ding, Jeeves, please bring in my croissants.’ But that wasn’t my reality. I felt worthless.”
At 35, Chet also mentioned that friends who didn’t come from a similar background struggled to comprehend his feelings.
“This can drive you insane because no one believes your life isn’t all about luxury,” he stated, mimicking a call for a butler. “You could say, ‘Yo, that’s not my life. I don’t live like that.'”
Chet has previously expressed frustration about his past, including the lack of financial support from his affluent parents, and noted that his complaints weren’t always well-received.
“You know how they say pressure makes diamonds? Well, pressure can also burst pipes,” Chet remarked. “I’ve experienced some pipes bursting, which means you can snap and then have to pull yourself together repeatedly. It’s a process and a cycle until the diamond is eventually formed.”
During the podcast, Chet advised Joel Madden, who shares two children with Nicole Richie, to ensure their kids develop their own identities. He elaborated, “When strangers meet your son, their first thought isn’t ‘Who’s this guy?’ if they know who he is. They’re imagining Joel. So understanding your son is all in contrast to you.”

