Tom Hanks defends his kids against claims they've benefited from nepotism

Tom Hanks has defended his kids against claims they've benefited from nepotism, saying that they are part of 'a family business'.

The Saving Private Ryan star has two kids with his ex-wife, the late Samantha Lewes, named Colin and Elizabeth Hanks.

He went on to have two more children – Chet and Truman Hanks – with his current spouse Rita Wilson.

All four of his offspring have gone on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry whether that be behind or in front of the camera.

So, it'll come as no surprise that the Hanks have been included in the recent 'nepo babies' conversation, which took on a life of its own after a recent 'nepo baby-boom' feature in New York magazine.

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In the article, a number of celebrities were slapped with the label given to offspring of well-known names, whose family links are thought to have helped them get ahead in Hollywood.

The cover stars for the story included Stranger Things star Maya Hawke, the daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, and Jack Quaid, whose famous parents are Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan.

Other big names included Lily Rose Depp, the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, and Kate Hudson, whose parents are actors Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson.

Even before the feature dropped, the issue of nepotism in Hollywood has been raised a number of times over the years.

And Hanks' brood became part of the debate once more, especially since his son Truman, 27, appears in his dad's latest flick A Man Called Otto.

But the 66-year-old has defended himself and his family in a new interview with Reuters via The Sun, suggesting that his offspring working in show business is no different to other industries.

"Look, this is a family business," he said. "This is what we’ve been doing forever. It’s what all of our kids grew up in.

"If we were a plumbing supply business or if we ran the florist shop down the street, the whole family would be putting in time at some point, even if it was just inventory at the end of the year.

"The thing that doesn’t change no matter what happens, no matter what your last name is, is whether it works or not.

"That’s the issue anytime any of us go off and try to tell a fresh story or create something that has a beginning and a middle and an end."

Hanks continued: "Doesn’t matter what our last names are. We have to do the work in order to make that a true and authentic experience for the audience."

Hudson similarly defended her position in an interview with the Independent last month, stating: "The nepotism thing, I mean... I don’t really care.

"I look at my kids and we’re a storytelling family. It’s definitely in our blood. People can call it whatever they want, but it’s not going to change it."

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The Glass Onion star went on to argue that nepotism was actually more prevalent in other industries.

She continued: "I actually think there are other industries where it’s [more common]. Maybe modelling? I see it in business way more than I see it in Hollywood. Sometimes I’ve been in business meetings where I’m like, wait, whose child is this? Like, this person knows nothing!"

Hudson added: "I don’t care where you come from, or what your relationship to the business is – if you work hard and you kill it, it doesn’t matter."