Tom Hanks isn't just America's dad anymore. He’s "Pappou."
If you’re picturing the Oscar winner spending his weekends reciting Shakespeare to a group of perfectly behaved toddlers in a Beverly Hills mansion, you’ve got it all wrong. In reality, the dynamic between Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, and their three granddaughters is much more... sticky. Think less "red carpet" and more "macaroni and cheese spilled on the rug."
The truth is, Tom Hanks grandkids don't actually care that he was the voice of Woody in Toy Story. They don’t care that he survived a plane crash in Cast Away or stormed the beaches of Normandy. To them, he’s just the guy who makes the perfect mac and cheese and forgets what time they are supposed to go to bed.
The Secret Roster: Who Are the Three Granddaughters?
People often assume there’s a whole army of Hanks children running around, but the lineage is actually quite specific. As of 2026, there are three granddaughters in the mix. They come from two very different branches of the Hanks family tree, which makes for an interesting holiday dinner, to say the least.
The Colin Hanks Connection
Colin, Tom’s oldest son from his first marriage to Samantha Lewes, has been the most "traditional" when it comes to the family path. He’s a successful actor himself, but he’s also a dad to two girls:
- Olivia Jane Hanks: Born in February 2011. She’s now a full-blown teenager, likely navigating the same world of social media and high school drama as any other 15-year-old.
- Charlotte Bryant Hanks: Born in June 2013. She’s following close behind her sister, now around 12 years old.
Colin has been pretty vocal about how his parents handle the grandparent gig. He famously told Hoda and Jenna that Tom and Rita are "okay" at it, but mostly because they ignore every single parenting rule he tries to set. They provide "a lot of sugar" and then hand the kids back right when the sugar crash starts. It’s the classic grandparent move, performed by Hollywood royalty.
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The Chet Hanks Branch
Then there’s Michaiah.
Michaiah Hanks was born in April 2016. She is the daughter of Chet Hanks (Tom and Rita’s older son together) and his former partner, Tiffany Miles. For a while, Michaiah’s existence was kept relatively private. Chet eventually opened up about her, crediting his daughter as the primary reason he decided to get sober and turn his life around.
Unlike the more public lives of some celebrity kids, Michaiah is mostly kept out of the spotlight. She made a rare public appearance back in 2019 when Rita Wilson received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but since then, she’s been living a relatively normal life away from the paparazzi.
Why the Grandkids Call Him "Pappou"
You won't hear these kids yelling "Grandpa!" across a playground. Because of Rita Wilson’s Greek heritage, the family leans heavily into those roots.
Tom is Pappou (Greek for grandfather).
Rita is Yia Yia (Greek for grandmother).
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It’s a small detail, but it says a lot about the family culture. They aren't trying to be a "Hollywood" family; they’re trying to be a Greek-American family that happens to have a few Oscars on the mantle. Rita has mentioned in interviews that being a "cool" grandparent involves getting on the trampoline, hitting the tennis court, and essentially being an unpaid entertainer for the girls.
Honestly, it sounds exhausting. But Tom seems to love the "show." He’s mentioned that when he’s with the grandkids, there’s no need for TV or radio because the kids themselves are the entertainment. He just sits back and watches the chaos unfold.
The Reality of Being a "Hanks" in 2026
Being a grandchild of a global icon sounds like a dream, but the reality is more grounded. Colin Hanks has mentioned that his daughters "don't care at all" about their grandfather's fame. To them, a visit to Pappou's house is just another playdate.
There is a distinct "gestalt understanding" in the family, as Tom once put it to the New York Times. Because Tom had Colin and Elizabeth when he was young and "just a guy trying to make the rent," that older generation of the family has a different perspective than Chet and Truman, who were born after Tom was a megastar.
The granddaughters are growing up in the "megastar" era, but the family seems obsessed with keeping things normal.
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- No Hollywood entitlement: The kids are expected to be "extraordinary young women," as Rita puts it.
- The Sugar Factor: As mentioned, Tom and Rita are the "bad" kind of grandparents—the ones who spoil you and let you stay up late.
- Privacy first: You won’t find the Hanks grandkids starring in their own reality show or being pushed into acting at age five.
Common Misconceptions About the Family
People love to speculate about the "Hanks Dynasty." One common myth is that all the kids are being groomed for the industry. While Truman Hanks (Tom's youngest) recently dipped his toes into acting in A Man Called Otto, the granddaughters are currently just... kids.
Another misconception? That Chet’s daughter, Michaiah, is estranged from the family. Total nonsense. While Chet has had his public struggles and "White Boy Summer" memes, the family has remained a tight-knit unit. Michaiah is very much a part of the fold, often spending time with her "Yia Yia" and "Pappou."
Expert Insight: The Grandparent Playbook
If you're looking to grandparent like a Hanks, here’s the unofficial strategy based on their public comments:
- **Master the Mac: ** Tom’s "secret weapon" is getting the macaroni and cheese just right. It’s the ultimate currency for a toddler.
- Physicality matters: Rita insists on getting in the pool and on the trampoline. You can't be a passive grandparent.
- Ignore the parents: Bedtimes are suggestions, not laws. Sugar is a right, not a privilege.
- Be the audience: Tom says the best part is just watching them exist. No "books, radio, or TV" required.
It’s a refreshing take on celebrity. In a world of "nepo babies" and social media branding, the Tom Hanks grandkids seem to be growing up in a bubble of Greek traditions, sugary snacks, and a grandfather who is more concerned with his pasta-to-cheese ratio than his IMDB page.
To keep track of the family's latest updates, it's best to follow the official social media accounts of Colin and Rita, as they occasionally share glimpses of family life without compromising the girls' privacy. Stick to verified sources, as the "Hanks family" is a frequent target for tabloid rumors that rarely hold water.