In a deeply personal account, Elizabeth Hanks, renowned as E.A. Hanks and daughter of beloved actor Tom Hanks, has shared her turbulent upbringing and the complex dynamics of her family in her upcoming memoir, "The 10: A Memoir of Family And The Open Road."

This revealing narrative delves into the impact of her parents' divorce in 1985 on her formative years, a shift that left lasting impressions on both E.A. and her brother, Colin Hanks. E.A. poignantly reflects on her fragmented memories: “I am a kid from the First (non-famous) Marriage.” She recalls scant moments of togetherness, emphasizing how her only memories of her parents together are limited to milestones like graduations.

Originally born in Burbank, California, E.A.'s early years were stamped out when her mother, Samantha Lewes, hastily moved them six hours north to Sacramento after the divorce. In her memoir, she shares: “From ages 5 to 14, I lived in a house that was once vibrant but became chaotic—filled with confusion, violence, deprivation, and love.”

Interestingly, she describes living in a home that began as idyllic, complete with a pool and horse-themed decor, but deteriorated as her mother’s mental health waned. E.A. recalls dark days when “the backyard became so full of dog waste that you couldn’t walk around it,” and the atmosphere turned oppressive, marked by neglect as her mother sank into emotional turmoil.

A pivotal moment in E.A.'s life occurred when her mother’s emotional turmoil escalated to physical violence: “One night, her emotional violence became physical violence, and in the aftermath, I moved to Los Angeles, right smack in the middle of the seventh grade.” This marked a significant shift, resulting in a modified custody arrangement that saw her living primarily with her father and stepmother, while visiting Sacramento only occasionally.

E.A. reminisces about a crucial road trip she took with her mother when she was 14, driving across the country to Florida—a journey that echoes the one she undertook in 2019, retracing her mother’s footsteps to better understand her life. During this reflective expedition, she began to suspect that her mother lived with undiagnosed bipolar disorder.

Samantha, a theater enthusiast who once shared the stage with Tom Hanks during their time in Sacramento, faced significant struggles throughout her life. She passed away from lung cancer in 2002 at the age of 49, leaving E.A. with complicated feelings of longing and regret, especially as her mother had called her to impart the weighty news of her impending death during E.A.’s senior year of high school.

Beyond the pages of this memoir, E.A. provides insight into the broader narrative of a Hollywood family, exploring not only her father’s rise to fame but also the ripples of personal struggles that affected their lives. While Tom Hanks went on to find happiness with Rita Wilson, marrying her in 1988 and welcoming two more sons, E.A. and Colin navigated their own path through the aftermath of their parents' separation.

E.A. Hanks' memoir, "The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road," is set to be released on April 8 and promises to offer a gripping exploration of resilience in the face of familial turmoil and the quest for understanding in the midst of chaos. Prepare for an emotional ride as E.A. bravely shares her truth—this is one memoir you won't want to miss!