Tom Hanks Speaks About Nepotism Backlash: ‘My Kids Are in a Family Business’

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Tom Hanks is speaking out about the nepotism debate that has taken Hollywood by storm. The actor dismissed the debate while recently speaking about his sons, who are also actors. Hanks is married to Rita Wilson and share two children together, actor and rapper Chet Hanks and Truman Hanks, who comes out in Tom’s new movie A Man Called Otto

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Hanks’ son from his previous marriage is Colin Hanks, who most recently appeared in The Offer and A Friend of the Family. “Look, this is a family business,” Hanks stated. “This is what we’ve been doing forever. It’s what all of our kids grew up in. If we were a plumbing supply business or if we ran the florist shop down the street, the whole family would be putting in time at some point, even if it was just inventory at the end of the year.”

Tom Hanks Defends His Family of Actors

“The thing that doesn’t change no matter what happens, no matter what your last name is, is whether it works or not,” the actor continued. “That’s the issue anytime any of us go off and try to tell a fresh story or create something that has a beginning and a middle and an end. Doesn’t matter what our last names are. We have to do the work in order to make that a true and authentic experience for the audience.”

In case you’re unfamiliar with nepotism, or “nepo babies,” the term is describing the favoritism shown to someone within their own family. The term also refers to children of famous actors, musicians, or other artists who have gone on to become famous themselves. The rage comes due to a New York Magazine cover story that showcased several actors in the industry who followed their parent’s footsteps. Recently Kate Hudson, daughter of Goldie Hawn, also went on to dismiss the term.

New York Magazine

NYMag

“The nepotism thing, I mean… I don’t really care,” Hudson said speaking with The Independent. “I look at my kids and we’re a storytelling family. It’s definitely in our blood. People can call it whatever they want, but it’s not going to change it.”

“I actually think there are other industries where it’s [more common],” the actress continued. “Maybe modeling? I see it in business way more than I see it in Hollywood. Sometimes I’ve been in business meetings where I’m like, ‘wait, whose child is this? Like, this person knows nothing!’ I don’t care where you come from, or what your relationship to the business is – if you work hard and you kill it, it doesn’t matter.”

The New York Times magazine cover also featured Dakota Johnson, Maya Hawke, Ben Platt, Zoe Kravitz, and Jack Quaid.

Read More: Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan’s Son is Successfully Following Their Footsteps

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