E.A. Hanks Dishes on Her “Forrest Gump” Cameo with Dad Tom Hanks: ‘My Best Work to Date’

E.A. Hanks Recalls ‘Forrest Gump’ Role Alongside Dad Tom Hanks

E.A. Hanks, the 42-year-old author, recently engaged in a heartfelt conversation with her father, renowned actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, at the 92nd Street Y in New York City on April 8. The purpose of the discussion was to promote her latest book, ‘The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road’.

To begin the dialogue, E.A. (short for Elizabeth Anne) jokingly referenced her cameo in the iconic 1994 film ‘Forrest Gump’, starring her father in the title role. She played a bully on a school bus in the movie, which Tom famously won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Reflecting on her role, E.A. teased, “‘My best work to date, ‘mean girl on bus.'”

She also shared a humorous anecdote about her experience on set, mentioning that unlike the other child actors, she did not receive any payment for her role. Tom chimed in, recalling the sweltering heat on the bus during filming and jokingly acknowledged E.A.’s unpaid contribution to the film.

E.A.’s book, ‘The 10’, chronicles her six-month journey across the United States in a minivan, retracing the footsteps of her mother, Susan Dillingham, who passed away from lung cancer at the age of 42. Dillingham, also known as Samantha Lewes, was married to Tom for five years before their divorce in 1985.

During the event, E.A. reflected on her challenging upbringing, marked by her mother’s struggles with mental health issues and addiction. She candidly shared her experiences growing up in a tumultuous environment, where she learned to navigate her mother’s unpredictable moods and behaviours.

Through her road trip and interactions with locals along Interstate 10, E.A. was able to delve deeper into her mother’s past and gain a new perspective on their relationship. By examining her mother’s diaries and reconnecting with Dillingham’s family members, including her uncle Bruce, E.A. embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery.

In a touching moment, E.A. expressed how her curiosity about her mother’s past set the stage for her profound journey of healing and understanding. By asking fundamental questions about her mother’s life and experiences, E.A. was able to forge a deeper connection with her own identity and family history.

‘The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road’ offers readers an intimate glimpse into E.A. Hanks’ personal odyssey of self-discovery and resilience. Through her poignant storytelling and reflective insights, E.A. invites audiences to reconsider the complexities of family relationships and the enduring power of forgiveness and understanding.

As E.A. continues to share her poignant narrative with the world through her book, her journey stands as a testament to the enduring bond between parent and child, and the transformative power of introspection and empathy.