Tom Hanks' 3 Grandkids: All About Olivia, Charlotte and Michaiah

Tom Hanks is a grandfather to Olivia, Charlotte and Michaiah

Tom Hanks embraces a different side of himself as a grandfather to his three grandkids: Olivia, Charlotte and Michaiah.

Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, are at the helm of their large family with four adult children and three granddaughters. The Forrest Gump star welcomed son Colin and daughter Elizabeth with his first wife Samantha Lewes. When they went their separate ways, the actor married Wilson, and they had two more children together: sons Chet and Truman.

In 2011, Hanks became a grandfather for the first time when Colin welcomed his daughter Olivia. Two years later, Colin's second child, Charlotte, was born. In 2016, Chet announced the birth of his daughter, Michaiah.

Related: Who Are Tom Hanks' Kids? All About Colin, Elizabeth, Chet and Truman

As his family has grown, Hanks has expressed their importance to him. "I can’t tell you how much your love means to me," he said at the 2020 Golden Globes while accepting the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award.

Stepping into the grandfather role has brought Hanks a different kind of joy. In a September 2013 interview with Entertainment Tonight, he explained how it was distinct from being a dad.

“I get to do the thing of, ‘come in and have a great time for a few hours or maybe overnight on occasion' ... you have all the fun without any of the long nights," he shared.

Here's everything to know about Tom Hanks’ grandkids: Olivia, Charlotte and Michaiah.

Hanks' older grandkids are Colin’s daughters

Hanks’ oldest son, Colin, married publicist Samantha Bryant in May 2010. Shortly after, they welcomed their first daughter, Olivia Jane Hanks, in February 2011.

In June 2013, they expanded their family when they had their second daughter, Charlotte Bryant Hanks.

Not long after she was born, Colin told PEOPLE that Hanks and Wilson were excited to get to know their newest granddaughter.

“They cannot wait to just dote on this kid with every single fiber of their being,” he said. “My wife and I are more than happy to give them our baby and say, ‘Here, watch her while we take a nap!’ ”

Hanks' younger grandchild is Chet’s daughter

In 2016, Hanks and Wilson’s son Chet announced the birth of his daughter Michaiah, whom he welcomed with his ex Tiffany Miles.

"I want to share something today because it’s about to be shared anyway in the press, which is the fact that I have a daughter. I do have a daughter," the Your Honor star said on Instagram. "She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

Chet went on to say that he had kept the news a secret to protect his child, explaining, “her privacy is sacred to me. She is sacred to me. She’s not something to be posted.”

The artist also revealed that becoming a dad helped him get sober. In May 2018, he opened up to PEOPLE about being sober for two years and mentioned how his daughter inspired the decision.

“Fatherhood forces you to grow up really quickly,” Chet said. “It’s a beautiful process, and it’s a blessing to be able to grow yourself as you watch your kids grow.”

Hanks' grandkids have a traditional nickname for him

To Olivia and Charlotte, Hanks and Wilson aren’t known as grandma and grandpa.

In a September 2013 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Hanks revealed that his granddaughters call him “pappou” and Wilson “yia yia" — traditional Greek names for grandpa and grandma, drawing from Wilson's heritage.

Hanks and Wilson love playing with their grandkids

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in June 2023, Hanks shared that he and Wilson enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, whom he called "extraordinary young women."

Wilson went on to say that one of their favorite ways to show their grandkids love is to get on their level and do the things they like.

“You got to get on the trampoline with them, you got to get in the pool with them, you got to get on the tennis court, you got to do all the sports,” she said. “You just got to hang out.”

Their other secret? “Make their macaroni and cheese just perfectly,” Hanks quipped.

They also let some rules slide

Like many grandparents, Hank and Wilson are more lenient with their grandkids than the parents might like.

In an October 2022 interview with Today, Colin revealed a bit about their lax grandparent style. “It would be great if they paid attention to the kids’ bedtime," he jested.

The Fargo star explained that Olivia and Charlotte “get a lot of sugar” when they’re with their grandfather and grandmother, although the girls don’t love their cooking.

Colin also joked that Hanks and Wilson are similar to other grandparents.

“They need like good ugly sweater vests,” he said. “Like if they both had those and just some glasses and complained about the temperature, I think we’d be good.”

Hanks and Wilson call themselves “cool grandparents”

Although their grandkids don't know about their illustrious careers, Hanks and Wilson still think they've made an impression on them.

“We’re the cool grandparents,” Wilson told Entertainment Tonight during a February 2017 red carpet appearance. “I think [we’re] the most cool,” Hanks added.

The Cast Away star also said that he found his grandchildren incredibly entertaining, pointing out that he doesn’t need anything else when he’s with them.

“There’s no book, no radio, no TV,” he said. “You’re going to be entertained by them every moment that you’re there. Sit back and watch the show!”

Still, Hanks joked, “I think they just put up with us.”

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