Context:

Chet Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, finds himself stranded in Medellin, Colombia after leaving his U.S. passport at home and traveling on a Greek passport; he says his American passport was nearly expired and raises questions about entry to the U.S. He explains that Greek nationals can travel to the United States visa-free for up to 90 days with ESTA, but his situation was blocked by the missing U.S. document. The incident spurred social-media ribbing and jokes about nepo-baby status, while he notes the only embassy able to resolve the issue is in Bogotá. The episode unfolds amid the younger Hanks’s ongoing public-profile history, including prior controversial statements and media appearances.

Dive Deeper:

• Hanks traveled from Puerto Rico to Medellin for a friend’s birthday and carried only his Greek passport, noting dual Greek-U.S. citizenship and that the American passport was close to expiration, which he suggested could complicate re-entry.

• At the José María Córdova International Airport, officials told him a green card would be required to re-enter the United States with a foreign passport, a document he does not possess as a U.S. citizen.

• Although Greek nationals can typically visit the U.S. for up to 90 days with ESTA authorization, the lack of a valid U.S. passport created a barrier to entry in addition to standard visa rules.

• Instagram reaction to his post included jokes and suggestions to leverage nepo-baby influence or have someone fly his U.S. passport to Colombia, illustrating public scrutiny.

• The Daily Beast reported on the situation and sought comment from Hanks’s team; this episode adds to a public history that includes earlier media appearances and controversial statements.

• Hanks has previously referenced 'White Boy Summer' in 2021, a term he later defended and condemned for being twisted into hateful connotations, highlighting a pattern of media attention around his remarks.