Tom Hanks is the latest star to join the Hollywood nepotism controversy, and the 66-year-old two-time Oscar winner is defending his celebrity family. Tom stars in A Man Called Otto, which hits theaters December 30, and his youngest son Truman He Hanks also stars. In a recent interview with Reuters about the film, which Tom co-produced, the actor responded to criticism of his son’s casting in the film, refusing backlash about tapping someone of his own to take part.
“We have to work to provide a truly authentic experience for our viewers. It’s a much bigger job than worrying if someone will try to hurt us.” .”
“Look, this is a family business,” Tom said of his four children. Colin, 45. Elizabeth Ann, 40 — both shared with first wife Samantha Lewis — Chet, 32. and Truman, 27 — the latter two of whom he shares with his wife, Rita Wilson. “This is what we’ve been doing forever. All our kids grew up with it….if we were in the plumbing supply business or ran a flower shop down the street.” Then the whole family would be taking their time… even if it was end of year stock, at some point.”
He continued: It has a beginning and a middle and an end. It doesn’t matter what our surname is. We have to work to make it a truly authentic experience for our audience. Regardless of whether they try to hurt us or not. “
Tom’s comments came shortly after New York Magazine’s Vulture published a collection of essays on the December 19 cover of “The Year of Nepo Baby.” Since then, celebrities such as Jamie Lee and his Curtis, Kate Hudson, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Lily Allen, and ‘M3GAN’ star Allison Williams have all spoken out about the Nepo Baby controversy.
In a Dec. 23 Instagram post, Curtis wrote:I am not alone. There are many of us. Dedicated to our craft. Proud of our lineage. Strong in our belief in our right to exist. May 19th, Allen murmured“The Nepo babies you should worry about are the people who work in law firms, the people who work in banks, the people who work in politics. Talk about real world consequences, take people’s opportunities away.” If yes, but it doesn’t matter to me.”