Chet Hanks, the 35-year-old son of Hollywood icon Tom Hanks, has issued a dramatic plea for assistance on social media, asserting that he is stranded overseas without a valid United States passport. The self-described nepo baby, who recently gained attention for a viral dog rescue, sent Instagram into a frenzy on Friday after what began as a simple visit to friends descended into complete travel turmoil.
Passport Predicament in Colombia
Hanks explained that he flew from Puerto Rico to Medellín, Colombia, but when he attempted to return to the United States, he was allegedly halted at the airport because his American passport was nearing its expiration date. "I'm traveling with my Greek passport because I'm a dual citizen," stated the son of Hanks and Rita Wilson, noting that he opted not to use his US passport since it is "about to expire." He claimed that even passports close to expiration can sometimes trigger problems at border control.
Airport Encounter and Green Card Confusion
"I go to the airport to check in for my flight three hours early," he recounted, before alleging that staff informed him that if he was entering the US on a foreign passport, he would require a green card. "This is an international flight. They tell me that if I'm using a foreign passport, I need a green card to get back into America," Hanks said in a video clip. The Surreal Life star then clarified that he does not possess a green card because he is "an American citizen," leaving him "literally stuck in Colombia. I'm stuck in Medellín."
He added, "Granted, there's worse places to be stuck, but I literally have no idea what I'm gonna do, and the only embassy to get this settled is in Bogotá." Expressing reluctance to travel to Bogotá, approximately an hour by plane from Medellín, he begged for someone to "just free me."
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
Responses to Hanks' urgent appeal were varied across social platforms, with some followers showing sympathy for his dilemma while others could not resist injecting humour. A number of fans highlighted the irony of the situation given his famous father's film legacy, joking about connections to Cast Away and FedEx delivery woes, whereas others provided practical advice on resolving travel document issues.
Nightclub Posts Amid Travel Troubles
Despite the passport chaos, Hanks did not appear to let his overseas difficulties completely hinder his activities. On Friday, he posted a series of Instagram Stories from a Medellín nightclub, depicting himself dancing and surrounded by partygoers, suggesting a resilient attitude amidst the travel disruption.
Background and Career Trajectory
As the eldest son of Hollywood royalty, Hanks has consistently lived his life in the public eye, cultivating a persona that embraces unpredictability. Unlike his father's conventional Hollywood path, Chet's journey has been notably eclectic. Over the years, he has been openly candid about his personal struggles, particularly his battle with substance use, marking sobriety milestones on social media and reflecting on the challenges involved.
In 2024, he celebrated two years of sobriety with thoughtful posts emphasising the significance of this achievement after numerous ups and downs. Professionally, Hanks has been making strides in entertainment, starring alongside Kate Hudson in the Netflix series Running Point as point guard and aspiring rapper Travis Bugg. He is also part of the country duo Something Out West, which garnered attention last year when his father appeared in their music video, recreating iconic scenes from Forrest Gump for their song You Better Run.
Tom Hanks, 69, is father to Colin, 48, and Elizabeth, 43, with his first wife, Samantha Lewes, as well as Chet and Truman, 30, with Wilson, underscoring the family's diverse dynamics in the spotlight.
