Who is Chet Hanks? | Biography
Chet Hanks is an American actor and musician known for Running Point, Empire, and Shameless. He performs in the country duo Something Out West. He is the son of Hollywood actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. However, he has developed his own career across television, film, and music.
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Born Chester Marlon Hanks on August 4, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, he is 36 years old in 2026. His younger brother is Truman Hanks, while Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Hanks are his older half-siblings. Additionally, he studied theater at Northwestern University, where he began releasing music under the stage name Chet Haze.
Hanks launched his film career with Bratz in 2007. Subsequently, he appeared in Larry Crowne, Project X, Fantastic Four, and Greyhound. His television credits include Charlie in Shameless, Blake Sterling in Empire, and Joey Maldini in Your Honor. Later, he expanded his comedy experience through appearances in Atlanta and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
In 2025, Hanks joined Netflix’s Running Point as Travis Bugg, a basketball player and aspiring rapper. He stars alongside Kate Hudson in the sports comedy, which returned for its second season in April 2026. Moreover, he trained with a basketball coach and contributed improvised moments to his performance.
Meanwhile, Hanks performs with Drew Arthur in Something Out West. The duo signed with Big Machine Records in 2025 and released their debut EP, Leaving Hollywood, in June 2025. Their song You Better Run features a Forrest Gump-inspired music video with Tom Hanks.
Beyond entertainment, Hanks shares daughter Michaiah with Tiffany Miles. He welcomed her in 2016 and credits fatherhood with motivating his sobriety. Furthermore, he has discussed addiction recovery publicly while pursuing acting and country music in Nashville.
Chet Hanks Age | How Old is Chet Hanks?
Chet Hanks is 36 years old as of October 2026. He celebrates his birthday on August 4, having entered the world in 1990 in Los Angeles, California. His full name is Chester Marlon Hanks. Additionally, he is the first child Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson welcomed together. Hanks turned 36 on August 4, 2026, and will celebrate his 37th birthday in 2027. Meanwhile, his acting career began during his teenage years with Bratz in 2007. He later expanded into television and music. The American actor and musician plays Travis Bugg in Netflix’s Running Point and performs with Something Out West.
Chet Hanks Height | How Tall is Chet Hanks?
Chet Hanks stands 1.78 meters tall (5 feet 10 inches). His athletic build and visible tattoos give him a distinctive look on screen. Additionally, he stands about two inches shorter than his father, Tom Hanks, who measures six feet. However, Chet brings plenty of energy to his role as Travis Bugg in Netflix’s Running Point. He plays a basketball point guard with a passion for rapping. To prepare, he worked with a private basketball coach and practiced drills. Moreover, he trained at the gym before filming. His preparation helped him tackle the physical demands of playing a professional basketball player.
Chet Hanks Ethnicity
Chet Hanks has mixed European ancestry, including English, Portuguese, Greek, and Bulgarian roots. His father, Tom Hanks, comes from an English and Portuguese family background. Meanwhile, his mother, Rita Wilson, brings Greek and Bulgarian heritage to his family tree. Chet’s maternal grandmother, Dorothea, was ethnically Greek and grew up in Albania. Additionally, his maternal grandfather, Hassan Ibrahimoff, came from a Bulgarian Pomak background and was born in Greece. These family connections reflect several European cultures across both sides of his ancestry. Born in Los Angeles, Chet also holds American and Greek citizenship. His heritage combines his parents’ distinct family histories.
Chet Hanks Education
Chet Hanks studied theater at Northwestern University and graduated in 2013. Before college, he attended Oakley School, a therapeutic boarding school in Oakley, Utah, where he also played lacrosse. Later, he joined Northwestern’s student community and became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Meanwhile, college gave him a platform to explore music alongside acting. In 2011, he released White and Purple under the stage name Chet Haze. The song referenced Northwestern’s school colors and reworked Wiz Khalifa’s Black and Yellow. Additionally, his university years marked an early chapter in his career as both an actor and a musician.
Chet Hanks Religion
Chet Hanks follows Christianity and openly discusses his belief in Jesus Christ. The actor and musician has described faith as an important part of his personal growth. During a June 2024 RAWTALK interview, he credited Jesus with changing his outlook on life. Additionally, he explained how his understanding of forgiveness developed over time. Earlier, Hanks shared a spiritual experience during a wilderness program in Utah as a teenager. Moreover, he has connected faith with his journey toward sobriety. Although his parents practice Greek Orthodox Christianity, Chet has not clearly confirmed his denomination. His public comments emphasize God, Jesus, and transformation.
Chet Hanks Girlfriend | Nikki Crush and His Dating Life
Chet Hanks appeared with his reported girlfriend, Nikki Crush, during an outing in Nashville in July 2026. The pair held hands while walking through the city, drawing attention to his dating life. Earlier, in April 2026, Chet confirmed that he was seeing someone. However, he has not shared when their relationship began or announced an engagement. Meanwhile, his friendship with Kim Zolciak previously sparked romance rumors after The Surreal Life. In February 2025, he clarified that they were friends. Additionally, Chet shares daughter Michaiah with former partner Tiffany Miles. He continues balancing fatherhood, his acting career, and country music projects.
Chet Hanks Wife | Is Chet Hanks Married?
Chet Hanks has not publicly confirmed a wife or marriage as of October 2026. However, the Running Point actor has shared glimpses of his dating life. In April 2026, he revealed that he was seeing someone. Later, he appeared holding hands with Nikki Crush in Nashville in July. Meanwhile, he shares daughter Michaiah Hanks with former partner Tiffany Miles. They welcomed their daughter in 2016, although neither has publicly confirmed marrying the other. Additionally, Chet has credited fatherhood with inspiring his sobriety and personal growth. He initially kept Michaiah’s birth private because he wanted to protect her from public attention.
Chet Hanks Daughter | Kids
Chet Hanks has one child, a daughter named Michaiah Hanks, whom he shares with former partner Tiffany Miles. He welcomed Michaiah in 2016, and she turns 10 in 2026. Additionally, she is the granddaughter of Hollywood actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Chet announced her arrival through an Instagram video but initially kept the news private to protect her. Moreover, he described his daughter as the best thing that had happened to him. He also credited fatherhood with motivating him to pursue sobriety and change his life. Meanwhile, he keeps details of Michaiah’s daily life private despite his public career.
Chet Hanks Family | Parents Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Siblings
Chet Hanks comes from a Hollywood family led by his parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. His father is an Oscar-winning actor, while his mother works as an actress, singer, and producer. The couple married in 1988 and welcomed Chet in 1990. Additionally, he has a younger brother, Truman Hanks, who works in film. His older half-siblings, Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks, come from Tom’s first marriage to Samantha Lewes. Colin pursues acting and filmmaking, while Elizabeth writes under the name E.A. Hanks. Meanwhile, Chet shares daughter Michaiah with Tiffany Miles. He credits his parents with supporting his sobriety.
Chet Hanks Career | Acting, Running Point and Country Music
Chet Hanks began his acting career as Dexter in Bratz in 2007. Subsequently, he appeared in Larry Crowne, Project X, Fantastic Four, and Greyhound. His television career grew through roles in Shameless, Empire, and Your Honor. Additionally, he made guest appearances in Atlanta, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and NCIS: New Orleans. In 2025, he joined Netflix’s Running Point as basketball player Travis Bugg. He returned for the comedy’s second season in April 2026 alongside Kate Hudson.
Meanwhile, Hanks developed his music career under the stage name Chet Haze, releasing White and Purple in 2011. Later, he teamed with Drew Arthur, eventually pursuing country music as Something Out West. The duo signed with Big Machine Records and released Leaving Hollywood in 2025. Moreover, they performed at Stagecoach in April 2026, with Tom Hanks attending to support his son’s career in country music.
Chet Hanks Movies and TV Shows List
Chet Hanks’s movies and TV shows span comedy, drama, action, and reality television. He began acting in Bratz (2007). Later, he gained recognition through Shameless, Empire, and Your Honor. Additionally, he plays Travis Bugg in Netflix’s Running Point, which returned for season two in April 2026.
Movies
- Bratz (2007) — Dexter.
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) — Student.
- Larry Crowne (2011) — Pizza delivery boy.
- Project X (2012) — Partygoer.
- Fantastic Four (2015) — Jimmy Grimm.
- Greyhound (2020) — Bushnell.
- Dead Wrong (2024) — Jacko Stern.
TV Shows
- Maron (2016) — Trey.
- Shameless (2016–2018) — Charlie.
- Tales (2017) — Troy.
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (2017) — Victor.
- Empire (2018–2019) — Blake Sterling.
- Your Honor (2020–2023) — Joey Maldini.
- NCIS: New Orleans (2021) — Liam McCall.
- Atlanta (2022) — Curtis.
- Running Point (2025–present) — Travis Bugg.
- It’s Florida, Man (2025) — Jimmy.
Reality and Comedy Appearances
- Ziwe (2022) — Himself.
- The Eric Andre Show (2023) — Himself.
- The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets (2024) — Himself.
Chet Hanks Songs | Solo Releases and Something Out West Music
Chet Hanks’s songs span hip-hop, pop, and country music. He started releasing rap music as Chet Haze, later using Chet Hanx. Meanwhile, he partnered with Drew Arthur in FTRZ before developing their country duo, Something Out West. Their releases include the Leaving Hollywood EP, which arrived in June 2025.
Solo Songs
- White and Purple (Northwestern Remix) (2011) — Released as Chet Haze.
- White Boy Summer (2021).
- DAMN! (2021).
- I FUX WITCHA (2021) — Featuring Soulja Boy.
Songs With Something Out West
- Leaving Hollywood (2025).
- You Better Run (2025).
- Bipolar Heart (2025).
- Already Won (2025).
- This Ain’t Heaven (2025).
Earlier Songs With FTRZ
- Models (2018).
- NowhereLand (2018).
Additionally, Hanks previewed a track seemingly titled New Me in March 2026 through Something Out West.
Chet Hanks and Eric André Feud | ComplexCon Confrontation Explained
Chet Hanks and Eric André reignited their feud after a tense encounter at ComplexCon in Los Angeles in October 2026. Hanks shared footage on Instagram showing him approaching André and grabbing his shoulder before questioning him about past comments. However, André eventually walked away with security nearby. In his caption, Hanks claimed André initially could not remember criticizing him. Additionally, he said André raised objections to his previous Jamaican accent.
Their dispute began in March 2023, before Hanks’s appearance on The Eric André Show aired. André accused Hanks of creating dangerous conditions while riding a motorcycle around the set. Meanwhile, Hanks defended himself, saying he wanted to match the show’s chaotic comedy. He acknowledged riding the motorcycle but challenged André’s account of his behavior. Subsequently, André rejected Hanks’s explanation, and their public disagreement continued through social media exchanges and criticism.
Chet Hanks Net Worth 2026
Chet Hanks has an estimated net worth of $1 million. The actor and musician earns money through television roles, film appearances, and music projects. His acting credits include Empire, Shameless, Your Honor, and Netflix’s Running Point. Additionally, he has appeared in movies such as Fantastic Four, Greyhound, and Dead Wrong. Meanwhile, he performs with Drew Arthur in the country duo Something Out West. The pair signed with Big Machine Records and released their Leaving Hollywood EP in 2025. Moreover, Chet has expanded into advertising through a 2026 campaign for Julie. However, he has not disclosed his salaries or financial records.
Biography Summary
| Detail | Chet Hanks Biography Summary |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chester Marlon Hanks |
| Other Names | Chet Haze, Chet Hanx |
| Profession | Actor and musician |
| Date of Birth | August 4, 1990 |
| Age | 36 years old as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Citizenship | American and Greek |
| Height | 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches) |
| Ancestry | English, Portuguese, Greek, and Bulgarian roots |
| Religion | Christianity; denomination unconfirmed |
| Education | Oakley School; Northwestern University, theater graduate, 2013 |
| Father | Tom Hanks |
| Mother | Rita Wilson |
| Younger Brother | Truman Hanks |
| Older Half-Siblings | Colin Hanks and Elizabeth Anne Hanks |
| Marital Status | No publicly confirmed marriage as of October 2026 |
| Reported Girlfriend | Nikki Crush; photographed together in July 2026 |
| Children | One daughter, Michaiah Hanks, born in 2016 |
| Daughter’s Mother | Tiffany Miles |
| Acting Debut | Bratz (2007), playing Dexter |
| Notable TV Shows | Running Point, Empire, Shameless, and Your Honor |
| Running Point Role | Travis Bugg |
| Notable Movies | Fantastic Four, Greyhound, Project X, and Dead Wrong |
| Music Duo | Something Out West, alongside Drew Arthur |
| Notable Songs | White Boy Summer, You Better Run, Leaving Hollywood, and Bipolar Heart |
| Debut Country EP | Leaving Hollywood, released in June 2025 |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million |
FAQs
Does Tom Hanks have a relationship with his son Chet?
Yes. Chet Hanks has publicly described a supportive relationship with his parents. In March 2025, he thanked Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson for supporting him throughout his sobriety journey.
Is Chet Hanks the biological son of Tom Hanks?
Yes. Chet Hanks is the biological son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. They welcomed him on August 4, 1990. He is their first child together and Tom’s third child.
What happened to Chet Hanks?
Chet has discussed addiction, rehab, and recovery, including returning to treatment after a cocaine binge. More recently, he confronted Eric André at ComplexCon in October 2026, renewing their longstanding public feud.
What is Chet Hanks sober from?
Chet has discussed sobriety from alcohol and drugs, particularly cocaine. He has described severe cocaine use and said he no longer feels tempted to drink alcohol. Additionally, he credits sobriety with helping him rebuild his life and career.
What does Tom Hanks say about his son Chet?
In 2015, Tom said, “As a parent, you love your kids unconditionally.” He also praised Chet’s honesty about addiction. More recently, Chet said Tom told him “great job” after his Stagecoach performance in April 2026.



