From Hollywood to Home: Black Voices in Entertainment
Chet Hanks is thankful to get to work on the “Forrest Gump”-themed music video for his band’s new album with “the most easygoing dude ever” — his Oscar-winning dad.
Chet Hanks, 34, who makes up half the country music duo Something Out West with musician Drew Arthur, spoke on TODAY June 24 about his father, Tom Hanks, appearing in the video for their song “You Better Run.”
“Oh, man, he’s a real prima donna,” Hanks joked to Jenna Bush Hager and guest co-host Niecy Nash-Betts about working with his father. “I’m just kidding. He’s the most easygoing dude ever. Love you, Dad.”
Chet Hanks re-creates his father’s title character in “Forrest Gump” in multiple scenes in the video for “You Better Run,” which dropped in March. At the end of the clip, Tom Hanks pops up next to him on a bench.
Arthur recalled the surreal feeling of being on the set with the two-time Oscar winner for the video.
“It was funny because I had to do a scene before him, and he’s just standing there. And I was like, ‘Tom was waiting for me,'” Arthur said.
Chet Hanks is the third of four children Tom Hanks shares with wife Rita Wilson, whom he married in 1988.
Chet Hanks and Arthur performed their song “Leaving Hollywood” on TODAY from their new EP of the same title.
The country music sound is a departure from Hanks’ previous musical releases as a rapper.
“I think it was necessary,” Hanks said about changing genres. “Not that I don’t love rap still because I do, but when I got sober I had to switch it up. There was too much association with my old (life).”
Arthur is “almost 10 years sober” and said the duo have “been having each other’s back” in maintaining their sobriety.
Hanks has also gotten back into the family business, as he played Travis Bugg, the point guard for the fictional Los Angeles Waves, on the Netflix sports comedy hit “Running Point,” starring Kate Hudson.
“It’s about time,” Hanks said about having a moment as an actor. “It’s been a long road. I’m grateful for everything that’s happened and where I’m at.”
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