Chet Hanks, the actor and musician son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, long known for courting controversy, is drawing praise for his performance in "Running Point," the Mindy Kaling-produced Netflix comedy. (Katrina Marcinowski/Courtesy of Netflix)

The actor and musician, long known for courting controversy, is now drawing praise for his performance in "Running Point," the Mindy Kaling-produced Netflix comedy.

Hanks, son of Hollywood royalty Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, plays Travis Bugg, a tattooed, attention-seeking basketball star and wannabe rapper who becomes a public relations headache for his team.

Tom Hanks, left, Rita Wilson and their son Chet Hanks attend the pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 3, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy/Getty Images for The Recording A)

It's a role that winks knowingly at Hanks' tabloid-fueled past.

"When I first got the audition, it said he's tatted up. He's a wannabe rapper, and he's just like a complete media liability," Hanks told People in an interview published Thursday, July 10. "I said, ‘I have no idea how I'm going to pull this off. I'm going to have to really get in character, maybe do a full method, Daniel Day Lewis, because obviously I'm nothing like that.'"

The actor, who years ago attempted to launch a real-life rap career as Chet Haze, insists the casting was a stretch - but his delivery suggests a knowing smile.

"Hopefully I did it justice," he added.

The role debuted in tandem with the success of "Leaving Hollywood," a single from his country duo Something Out West. The group recently released an EP by the same name.

"It doesn't surprise me," Hanks said. "That's how God works."

Sober for more than three years, Hanks credits his bandmate Drew Arthur - also in recovery - for helping keep him grounded.

"You don't want to let yourself down," Hanks said. "You don't want to let your buddy down."