Tom Hanks’ Son Chet Trapped in Medellin After Using Greek Passport for Colombia Trip Goes Wrong

Chet Hanks’ Travel Dilemma: Using a Greek Passport Leads to Unexpected Trouble in Colombia

Chet Hanks, the 35-year-old son of legendary actor Tom Hanks, recently shared an unexpected travel predicament that left him stranded in Medellin, Colombia. The actor and musician revealed in a candid Instagram video that his decision to use his Greek passport instead of his American one caused complications with re-entry into the United States. This incident has sparked widespread attention, highlighting the complexities of dual citizenship and travel regulations.

Chet explained that he holds dual citizenship and chose to travel with his Greek passport because his American passport was nearing expiration. He mentioned, “The reason I didn’t use my American passport is because it’s about to expire, and sometimes they don’t let you in the country, even if it hasn’t expired, but it’s about to expire.” Unfortunately, this choice backfired when he was informed at the airport that, as a foreign passport holder, he would need a green card to re-enter the U.S. Since he is an American citizen without a green card, he found himself unable to board his flight back home.

The Details Behind Chet Hanks’ Stranding in Medellin

Chet’s trip began innocuously enough. He first traveled to Puerto Rico to celebrate a friend’s birthday before deciding to make a stop in Medellin to visit another friend. However, upon attempting to return to the United States, he encountered unexpected hurdles due to his use of a Greek passport. Without his American passport on hand and lacking a green card, he was effectively trapped in Colombia.

He shared his frustration in the video, saying, “I don’t have my American passport with me, so I’m literally stuck in Colombia. I’m stuck in Medellín. Granted, there’s worse places to be stuck, but I literally have no f—ing idea what I’m gonna do.” The only option to resolve the situation is to visit the U.S. embassy in Bogotá, which is about an hour away by plane, but Chet expressed reluctance to make the trip.

Fans and followers quickly reacted to the news, with many poking fun at the situation, while others expressed concern about how this might affect Chet’s ongoing projects, including his role in the Netflix series “Running Point.”

Impact on Career and Personal Life

Chet Hanks is best known for his role as Travis Bugg on “Running Point,” a Netflix show where he portrays a professional basketball player with a complicated personal life. The character’s struggles with addiction mirror some of Chet’s own experiences, as he has been open about his sobriety journey, celebrating three years of sobriety in 2025.

In interviews, Chet has shared how playing a character grappling with addiction has been therapeutic and meaningful. He told Esquire, “It’s always helpful when you can relate personally to whatever is happening with your character.” His openness about addiction and recovery has resonated with many fans, as he advocates for the benefits of sobriety and the positive changes it can bring.

Despite the current travel setback, Chet remains optimistic and humorous about his situation, joking with fans to “free me” from Medellin. This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities faced by dual citizens and the importance of understanding travel documentation requirements.

Conclusion

Chet Hanks’ unexpected entrapment in Medellin after using his Greek passport instead of his American one underscores the challenges that can arise from dual citizenship and travel regulations. While the situation is inconvenient, it also highlights Chet’s resilience and ability to maintain a positive outlook amid adversity. Fans eagerly await updates on his return and the continuation of his acting career.

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