The Impact of Fame on Susan Dillingham

In a candid revelation, E.A. Hanks, daughter of acclaimed actor Tom Hanks, has opened up about the profound impact her father's fame had on her mother, Susan Dillingham. According to E.A., her mother's struggle to cope with her father's skyrocketing success created a rift that ultimately shaped the dynamics of their family.

Exploring a Legacy in 'The 10: A Memoir of Family and The Open Road'

E.A., whose full name is Elizabeth Anne Hanks, reflects on her parents' relationship in her memoir, *The 10: A Memoir of Family and The Open Road*. In it, she chronicles a six-month road journey from Los Angeles to Palatka, Florida—Susan's hometown—as a means of understanding her mother's legacy before Susan's untimely death from lung cancer in 2002.

The Early Years: A Promising Start and a Quick Decline

Susan and Tom met as theater students at Sacramento State University and tied the knot in 1978, but their marriage would last less than a decade, ending in 1987. During that relatively brief period, Tom solidified his place in Hollywood, securing iconic roles in films such as *Splash* (1984), *The Money Pit* (1986), and *Big* (1988). These successes would cast a long shadow over Susan's aspirations of being an actress herself.

Living in the Shadow of Fame

E.A. poignantly describes her mother as a “would-be actress who never recovered from her ex-husband's catastrophic fame.” In a recent interview with *Vanity Fair*, she elaborated on the feelings of inadequacy that plagued Susan: "She felt that his stature in the world obliterated her and any chance she had at continuing her stage career," she stated. E.A. emphasized that Susan's feelings of insignificance were exacerbated by an industry where talent often goes unrecognized.

The Emotional Ramifications of Celebrity

"‘Catastrophic’ also because that brand of megawatt fame erases what actually matters in an artist and what set my dad apart in the first place: humanity and talent," E.A. explained. Although she chose the term "catastrophic" in hindsight, she noted that it was indicative of the emotional ramifications that Susan continued to face, living in the shadow of Tom's success.

Post-Divorce Challenges and Mental Health Struggles

Post-divorce, Tom Hanks found love again with Rita Wilson, marrying her in 1988 and starting a new family with two sons, Chet and Truman. Meanwhile, Susan's mental health began to decline, a sadness that E.A. believes was exacerbated by the pressures of fame that Tom faced, despite Susan never receiving a formal diagnosis. E.A. suspects her mother suffered from bipolar disorder, characterized by episodes of paranoia and delusion.

The Impact on Family Dynamics

As time went on, Susan became increasingly neglectful, impacting E.A.'s childhood. E.A. shares heart-wrenching memories of neglect, describing conditions in their home that deteriorated significantly. “The backyard became unmanageable, filled with dog waste, and my mother spent increasing amounts of time isolated in her room.”

A Turning Point in Their Lives

The turning point came during a particularly volatile night when Susan's emotional outbursts escalated to physical violence, forcing E.A. and Colin, her brother, to live with their father in Los Angeles as they navigated their formative teenage years.

A Memoir of Resilience and Reflection

E.A. Hanks' memoir offers a poignant glimpse into the hidden struggles that can accompany fame and the complexities of familial relationships overshadowed by a celebrity's larger-than-life persona. This project serves not only as a tribute to her mother but also as a stark reminder of the personal sacrifices often made behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. As readers await the full release, one can't help but ponder: what happens when the pursuit of fame comes at such a harrowing cost?