Introduction

In a candid revelation, E.A. Hanks, the daughter of legendary actor Tom Hanks, opens up about the tumultuous childhood she experienced alongside her mother, the late Susan Dillingham, whom she believes struggled with bipolar disorder. Now 42, E.A. has spent years delving into her mother's life and mental health, particularly after Dillingham passed away from lung cancer in 2002 at the young age of 49.

The Memoir: The 10

In her forthcoming memoir, "The 10: A Memoir of Family And The Open Road," set to release on April 8, E.A. Hanks shares heart-wrenching details of her mother's unrecognized mental health issues. Though never definitively diagnosed, Dillingham exhibited troubling signs such as extreme paranoia and delusions, which E.A. reflects on with both sadness and a longing for understanding.

Tom and Susan: A Whirlwind Romance

The story begins in the mid-1970s, when Tom Hanks and Susan Dillingham first crossed paths as theater students at Sacramento State University. Their whirlwind romance culminated in marriage and the birth of two children: E.A. and her elder brother, Colin Hanks, who has also established a successful career in acting. However, after just five years together, the couple divorced, and the effects of that separation would reverberate through E.A.'s early years.

Life with Mother

When E.A. was just a toddler, she and Colin found themselves primarily living with their mother, restricted to visiting their father only during weekends and summer breaks. This arrangement took a dark turn when Dillingham abruptly moved the children from Los Angeles to Sacramento without informing their father. E.A. vividly recalls the day Tom Hanks arrived to pick them up from school, only to uncover that they hadn’t been there for two weeks.

A Journey of Reflection

In her memoir, E.A. details the painful journey of trying to understand the hidden complexities of her mother's life, a quest that was rekindled during a six-month road trip she undertook in 2019. This reflective journey traced the same routes Dillingham took decades earlier as a way of deepening E.A.'s insight into her mother's past. "My only memories of my parents together are limited to milestones like graduation ceremonies," E.A. reveals. "One photo captures a moment with my mother, where I can see her wig slightly askew—it’s a bittersweet reminder of her struggles."

Formative Years Filled with Struggles

E.A. emphasized that her formative years, from ages five to 14, were marked by confusion, love, and at times, violence. She lamented the deteriorating conditions at home, describing a backyard littered with dog waste, a house permeated by the smell of smoke, and a refrigerator that was often bare or stocked with spoiled food. Her mother gradually withdrew into herself, spending excessive hours in her bed engrossed in the Bible.

Tragic Turning Point

A traumatic turning point occurred when emotional turmoil escalated into physical violence, forcing E.A. to move back to Los Angeles mid-way through seventh grade. The alteration of custody arrangements meant infrequent visits to her mother's home, further fracturing her already fragile relationship with the woman who had raised her.

The Final Conversation

E.A. poignantly recalls the last time she spoke to her mother during her senior year of high school when Susan called to inform her that she was dying. This call encapsulated the tragic unraveling of their relationship, which, despite the pressures of mental illness, was laced with deep familial love and unresolved questions.

Conclusion

Her memoir promises to be not just a reflection of her tumultuous upbringing, but a poignant exploration of mental health, family, and the indelible search for understanding in the face of tragedy. "The 10" aims to shed light on the complexities of growing up in an environment shaped by mental illness and the long-lasting scars it leaves behind.