Summary
As theSurreal Lifeseason 8 (Surreal Life: Villa Of Secrets)begins, Chet Hanks stands out as the most intriguing member of the star-studded cast. Chet was perceived as the bad boy of the group due to his tattoos and sharp, dry humor. However, Chet defied expectations by becoming the peacemaker. He defused an argument between castmates Macy Gray and Tyler Posey. Chet also exposed his vulnerability, opening up about his past and his upbringing.
Surreal Life: Villa of Secretsplaces eight celebrities together in a house in Medellín, Colombia. They are tasked with competing in various challenges, which encourage teamwork but also test their limits. In addition to Chet, Macy, and Tyler, the cast includes Johnny Weir, Josie Canseco, O.T. Genasis, Kim Zolciak, and Ally Brooke. The group dove in from their first moments in the house, bonding over the challenges they face in the public eye and in their personal relationships.

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Chet Hanks' Age
Chet Will Turn 34 In August 2024
Chet Hanks is 33 years old. According toIMDB, he was born Chester Hanks on June 12, 2025. Chet is the parent of one child, Micaiah Hanks. Chet has received negative publicity in the past while living with drug addiction - he was allegedly violent. InSurreal Life: Villa of Secretsepisode 1, Chet admitted, “I like to experience everything in extremes.” He is now sober and brings his mindfulness to the show, acting as an unexpected mediator and voice of reason.
Chet Hanks' Job
Chet Is Multi-Talented
Although he joked onSurreal Life: Villa of Secretsthat he is “a professional Chet,” Chet has made a name for himself as an actor and musician. He has appeared in shows includingShameless,Atlanta, andCurb Your Enthusiasm. Chet is credited in 10 episodes of the upcoming Netflix seriesRunning Point,alongside Kate Hudson. It’s set to premiere in 2025.
Chet has also dabbled in rapping, releasing his single “White Boy Summer” in 2021, under the name, Chet Hanx. On June 13, 2025,Chetposted to Instagram to defend “White Boy Summer” and refute allegations of racism due to extremists co-opting the song’s title. Chet’s music has been featured on theEmpiresoundtrack.

Chet Hanks' Instagram
Chet Has Over Half A Million Followers
Chet has 563K followers on his Instagram,@chethanx. His posts give little insight into his personal life. His feed mainly features solo photos of himself, often in picturesque locations.Chetposted from Spain on July 22, 2025, with the caption “Blessed Boy Summer,”poking fun at his rap career. His bio pays tribute to his spirituality with the quote “God is the greatest.”
Chet Is The Son Of Actors Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson
It Wasn’t Easy Growing Up In His Father’s Shadow
Chet comes from a famous family. His parents are actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Chet’s older half-brother, Colin Hanks, is also a thespian. He’s known for his roles inOrange CountyandRoswell. InSurreal Life: Villa of Secrets, Chet called his family’s fame “a lot to mentally process.” He revealed that his parents sent him to a wilderness camp for troubled teens - he was 17 when he went there. Although the experience changed him forever, Chet does not hold it against his parents. He admitted his behavior gave them no other choice.
Chetshared a photo on his Instagram in December 2023 of himself sitting next to his father, proving that they remain on good terms. Both Chet and Tom wear dark jackets and hats.Chetalso shared a photo with his mother, Rita, on August 06, 2025, writing, “I love you mom.”
Chet has been honest about the difficulty he faced as the son of one of the most famous actors in the world. InSurreal Life: Villa of Secrets, Chet spoke about feeling “worthless” due to the expectations placed upon him. Chet had to work hard to overcome the “negativity” he internalized growing up. However, he appears to have found peace. He’s seemingly accepted his role within his well-known family.