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Thomas Cruise Mapother IV (pronounced /ˈtɒməs ˈkruːz ˈmeɪpɒθər/; born July 3, 1962), better known by his screen name of Tom Cruise , is an American actor and film producer. Forbes magazine ranked him as the world's most powerful celebrity in 2006. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and won three Golden Globe Awards. His first leading role is in Risky Business . He is known for playing heroic roles, although several of his most memorable turns have been villainous roles , such as the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt in Interview with the Vampire , Vincent in Collateral , and recently [ when? ] foul-mouthed studio boss Les Grossman , which provides the page caption.

More recently [ when? ] known for his... unusual antics such as jumping on the couch on Oprah . Cruise is also known for his controversial support of and adherence to the Church of Scientology , both of which have contributed to his status as a Butt Monkey of modern Pop Culture (...at least until Charlie Sheen went bananas), and cause many people to forget his very real acting talents. On the other hand, there are people who use his acting talents to excuse his involvement with Scientology and all the morally questionable things it does, as he's its biggest and most vocal patron (and is often said to actually be running the show). These things include the possible brainwashing of actress Katie Holmes, who shortly after meeting him announced her conversion to Scientology, marriage to him, and that she was pregnant with his child almost simultaneously after she disappeared with him for a time; the suddenness of all this along with the fact that she distanced herself from her family with no real reason at the same time was very ominous to Scientology's critics, as the "church" is well-known for using classic brainwashing tactics against its members and for being extremely homophobic, thus having good reason to cover up Cruise's alleged homosexuality with an arranged marriage to a young and popular actress.

Despite all the crazy , Cruise is a genuinely good actor with some great films under his belt. He was pretty much the top movie star in the world for a good fifteen to twenty years, starting around the time of Top Gun . He opened the 2002 Oscars -- just months after 9/11 -- and gave a memorably appropriate and heartwarming opening speech, as well.

There are some indications that he may be in the process of being Rescued from the Scrappy Heap thanks to the very positive reception to his performance in |Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol .

• Risky Business - Joel Goodson
• Legend - Jack (O' The Green)
• Cocktail - Brian Flanagan
• Top Gun - Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell
• Born On the Fourth of July - Ron Kovic
• Rain Man - Charlie Babbitt
• A Few Good Men - Lt. Daniel Kaffee
• Interview with the Vampire - Lestat de Lioncourt
• |Mission: Impossible - Ethan Hunt
• Jerry Maguire
• Magnolia - Frank T.J. Mackey
• Vanilla Sky - David Aames
• |Mission: Impossible II - Ethan Hunt
• Minority Report - John Anderton
• The Last Samurai - Nathan Algren
• Collateral - Vincent
• |War of the Worlds - Ray Ferrier
• |Mission: Impossible III - Ethan Hunt
• Tropic Thunder - Les Grossman ( Yup, that's him )
• Valkyrie - Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
• Knight and Day - Roy Miller
• |Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Ethan Hunt
• Rock of Ages - Stacee Jaxx
• The Mummy - Nick Morton

Things That Happen In Every Tom Cruise Movie

Tom Cruise has graced the big screen for decades, dating all the way back to the early 1980s when he first struck gold with the hit comedies "Risky Business" and "All the Right Moves." Following that early success, his career ascended like a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet blasting into the sky at Mach 10 thanks to smash hits such as "Top Gun," "The Color of Money," "Cocktail," "Rain Man," "A Few Good Men," "The Firm," "Jerry Maguire," "Minority Report," and the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. He's worked with some of our finest directors — including Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson (among many others) — and enjoyed extraordinary financial success . Worldwide, the actor's vast catalog of films has amassed a stunning $11.6 billion , making Cruise one of the biggest Hollywood icons of all time.

After so many motion pictures, it's inevitable that audiences would notice certain characteristics that pop up in each of the actor's films. Ever the showman, Cruise has a tendency to cater to his rabid fan base, which is probably why he eschewed weightier fair like "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Magnolia" in favor of popcorn-driven spectacle like "War of the Worlds" and "Top Gun: Maverick" later in his career.

At any rate, no matter the genre, Tom  always  seems to give fans what they want, which makes it easier for us to hammer out a list of things — in no particular order — that tend to happen in every one of his movies. Read on to discover what you can expect to find in a Tom Cruise movie.

Right out of the gate, we have to talk about Tom's tendency to run, because this particular trademark has reached levels of absurdity at this point. Dating all the way back to 1981's "TAPS," Tom has found a way to show off his incredible knack for sprinting in all but a handful of films. "The Firm" saw him outrunning good ole Wilford Brimley, "Far and Away" used the device as a means to flash forward into the future, and even Cameron Crowe figured out a way to slip a sequence of Tom's running technique into the tail end of the 1996 romantic comedy/drama "Jerry Maguire." 

Those were mere warmups. Nowadays, when Tom runs — he  runs.  One need only pop in any of the "Mission: Impossible" features to catch a glimpse of his fancy footwork. In fact, J.J. Abrams devotes nearly an entire minute of the climax of "Mission: Impossible 3" to Tom literally sprinting through Xitang, China in pursuit of the film's key villain. The latest trailer for " Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One " teases viewers with a brief shot of the man, the myth, the legend running through a mysterious locale immediately following his name credit. 

So, yeah, at this point, it seems Tom is in on the — ahem –  long-running joke .

Tom performs a cool stunt

Tom's wild stunts weren't always a staple in his films. There are no death-defying leaps off of high rises in "Rain Man" or vertigo-inducing jet battles in "Eyes Wide Shut," but the actor still managed to show off his need for adrenaline-fueled antics early in his career. Case in point: In "The Outsiders," Tom's character does a backflip for no apparent reason after running out of a house with his mates. According to actor Rob Lowe in an interview with Entertainment Tonight , director Francis Ford Coppola asked the cast to learn how to do a backflip and Tom was the only one capable of pulling off the difficult feat. 

To our astonishment, the actor also insisted on driving a real NASCAR racecar in "Days of Thunder" (via ESPN ), and according to a profile in Rolling Stone , rode the fastest horse on set during the climactic land race scene in "Far and Away." It's small potatoes compared to the stunts he achieves in "The Mummy" and the "Mission: Impossible" and "Jack Reacher" franchises, but worth noting.  

So, why does he do it? During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show , Tom admitted it all comes down to the storytelling: "I feel that [when acting] you're bringing everything, you know, physically and emotionally, to a character in a story," he told Graham Norton. "I've trained for 30 years doing [stunts] and it allows us to put cameras in places where you are normally not able to."

Tom rides a motorcycle

Not only is Tom Cruise a thrill junkie, but he also loves himself a slick motorcycle — a fact made abundantly clear when the actor memorably rode his Kawasaki GPZ900R along an airport runway in 1986's "Top Gun." Over 35 years later, Tom once again hopped aboard a Kawasaki — the Ninja H2 to be exact a.k.a. the fastest motorcycle in the world — for the enormously successful sequel "Top Gun: Maverick." In the interim, Tom has thrilled audiences with his astonishing motorcycle skills in John Woo's "Mission: Impossible II" (in which he rode a Triumph Speed Triple), Joseph Kosinski's "Oblivion" (featuring a modified Honda CRF450X), and "Mission: Impossible — Fallout" (where he cruised around on a BMW R nineT).

Tom's love for motorcycles extends off-screen as well. Apparently, after wrapping a project, the actor will take home or purchase the motorcycle used in the film and add it to his vast collection, which is detailed by Hot Cars . According to  Motorious , Tom has in his possession the BMW S1000 RR used in "Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation," the Triumph Thruxton used in "Edge of Tomorrow," and yes, even that Kawasaki from "Top Gun" (among others). If that weren't enough, he occasionally purchases the latest popular model just for kicks, such as when he dropped $103,000 for a Vyrus 987 C3 4V that he then showed off at his 51st birthday party. Clearly, the man's need for speed is more than just a Hollywood myth. 

Tom goes solo

While many of Tom's movies feature the box office star working alongside a group of notable co-stars, there always seems to be a moment where his character must cut the rip cord and go solo to save the day. We see this often in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise in which Tom's IMF Agent Ethan Hunt leaves his teammates in the dust to go one-on-one with the film's principal bad guy, but this trait also extends to some the actor's more dramatic ventures. Notably, in "A Few Good Men," Tom's cocky lawyer, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, ignores the advice of his team (consisting of Demi Moore and Kevin Pollack) and takes on Jack Nicholson's sharp-tongued Colonel Nathan Jessep all on his own, leading to that rather famous "I want the truth!" bit. 

Likewise, in 2008's "Valkyrie," Tom's one-armed, one-eyed Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg plots with an assortment of German officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and ends up planting the bomb himself (this one is based on an actual historical incident , so we'll let it slide). Other Cruise vehicles such as Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report," Christopher McQuarrie's "Jack Reacher," Oliver Stone's "Born on the Fourth of July," and Sydney Pollack's "The Firm" position Tom against an evil/corrupt establishment that he must battle on his own.

Does the superstar actively look for such projects, or is Tom's massive portfolio of rogue action heroes merely a case of typecasting?    

Tom throws on the shades

You can't really discuss Tom Cruise without acknowledging his vast collection of shades. Whether shooting pool with Paul Newman in Martin Scorsese's "The Color of Money," counting cards in Las Vegas with his brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) in Barry Levinson's "Rain Man," or chasing Jamie Foxx around downtown Los Angeles in Michael Mann's thriller "Collateral," Tom has a knack for hiding his mug behind a pair of sunglasses that somehow make the cool actor even cooler — if that's even possible.

In "Risky Business" and "Top Gun," Tom slid on a pair of Ray-Bans and helped popularize the brand in the 1980s, according to  Mental Floss . Some time later, in 2000's "Mission: Impossible II," Tom adorns Oakleys during the famous mountain climbing sequence, while "American Made" saw the star slip on a pair of Randolph Engineering Aviators with memorable results (via Ask Men ). 

In his latest feature, "Top Gun: Maverick," Tom oozes cool behind a pair of Ray-Bans that were custom-made to fit his face, according to "Top Gun: Maverick" costume designer Marlene Stewart in an interview with  The Daily Beast .

In other words: It ain't a Tom Cruise film unless it features Tom Cruise in sunglasses. 

Tom saves the day

Aside from a few exceptions, Tom is typically the de facto star of the films he appears in. As such, it makes sense that his character always ends up saving the day from the forces of evil. In fact, the only time he doesn't save the day in an epic action movie is Michael Mann's "Collateral." Even then, his cold-hearted assassin influences Jamie Foxx's world-weary cab driver enough to force a positive change in the young man's life, which can technically be seen as a win for Tom — without Vincent, it's doubtful Max ever finds the confidence needed to dump his crappy job and move on with his life.

Otherwise, Tom is typically the man of the hour by the final reel of any film. Whether its stopping dastardly terrorists or corrupt IMF operatives from destroying the world in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise , saving Iceman and Rooster in the "Top Gun" films, or taking down an alien tripod to save his daughter in "War of the Worlds," you can pretty much count on Tom to get the job done with nary a hindrance to his superstar good looks.

Even when Tom plays a jerk — as he does in Doug Liman's sci-fi epic "Edge of Tomorrow" — he finds a way to ditch the ego long enough to reset time and destroy an entire alien race (with a little help from Emily Blunt). It seems no mission is too impossible for Tom freaking Cruise.

Tom gets the girl

Tom enjoys plenty of perks thanks to his unflinching heroism. His characters typically earn the respect of their peers — and sometimes even the antagonist! — and then head off into the sunset with a newfound meaning on life, a pile of money, and, well, the girl.

No matter the circumstances, Tom Cruise always gets the girl. In "Risky Business," he ends up with Lana (Rebecca De Mornay), the sensitive sex worker. "Top Gun" sees our beleaguered hero ride off with Kelly McGillis, while "Top Gun: Maverick" pairs him with Jennifer Connelly — who happens to be a very rich, well-to-do single mother — and "Minority Report" rewards his efforts by fixing him up with his estranged wife.

Following his courtroom standoff with Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men," it's hinted that Demi Moore has eyes for Tom, while Michelle Monaghan and Rebecca Ferguson take turns locking lips with our main man in "Mission: Impossible — Fallout." In all likelihood, Tom probably could have run off with Vanessa Kirby!

In short, Tom can get any woman he wants. Now, whether they're attracted to his killer good looks, impeccable fashion sense, daredevil stunt-work, heroic swagger, or all of the above is a topic worth discussing.

Tom gets mad

Tom Cruise may be the king of cool, but even the most even-keeled action heroes lose their patience every now and again.

As it turns out, Tom's explosive temper rears its ugly head so often that it's practically a trademark. It's little wonder that Ben Stiller cast him as the foul-mouthed Les Grossman in the 2008 comedy "Tropic Thunder." Hidden under layers of prosthetics, Tom shouts, curses, and dances away with the film, revealing a darker side that somehow fits snugly amidst the comic antics of Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black. In one of the film's most memorable scenes, Les loses his cool at a Vietnamese soldier, whom he assumes is another movie producer trying to screw him over (it's a long story), resulting a prolonged tirade of profanity and insults that left audiences in stitches.

More dramatically, in "A Few Good Men," Tom rages against Demi Moore after she makes an egregious error and even does the "toss everything off the desk" bit for good measure. In "Mission: Impossible," he justifiably loses his cool after his entire team is killed during a mission gone wrong. And in "War of the Worlds," Tom tosses a slice of peanut butter-covered bread at a window, following a frustrating exchange with his children. These are but a few examples of Tom's ability to blow a gasket, but make no mistake, Tom loses his cool quite often throughout his filmography. 

Tom takes off his shirt

Like all good movie stars, Tom is blessed with a superhuman-like body that he seems to keep in incredible shape at all times. Save for his overweight character Les Grossman, Tom typically carries an incredible physique that he's clearly not afraid to show off at every possible opportunity, sometimes with humorous results. 

In "Jack Reacher," for example, Tom sheds his shirt and attempts to carry a serious conversation with Rosamund Pike's Helen Rodin. At one point, she stops mid-sentence and implores him to cover his naked torso, which is an order he comically ignores. Likewise, in the action comedy "Knight and Day," Tom wows Cameron Diaz during a foray on a tropical island. And in "Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation," he sheds his top for an exciting fight sequence during which he crunches up a pole to escape — an action so extraordinary, you can't help but chuckle. And who could forget the infamous scene in "Top Gun" that sees Tom and Val Kilmer (along with a handful of co-stars) engage in shirtless volleyball?

We're not judging! After all, we'd probably spend our entire life hanging out by the beach if our abs looked like Tom's. If you've got 'em, flaunt 'em! 

Tom is surrounded by incompetent supporting characters

Tom tends to steal the spotlight from his fellow co-stars mainly because, well, they aren't very good. There's Demi Moore's headstrong lawyer in "A Few Good Men," who makes a number of egregious errors that force Tom to fly solo. In the "Mission: Impossible" films, we're told Tom's IMF crew rank among the best of the best, but — aside from Rebecca Ferguson's scene-stealing Ilsa Faust — most of his team prove quite inadequate in the line of fire and contribute very little to the overall mission (besides pressing a button or two).

In Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report," Tom's John Anderton escapes the clutches of his co-workers mostly due to their incompetence, whilst the climax of "Top Gun: Maverick" pairs him alongside Miles Teller's inept Rooster and all but forces our leading man to take control of the precarious situation. The result? Tom commandeers an F-14 and engages in combat, while Rooster spectates from the co-pilot's seat.

Can you think of another character from, say, "Days of Thunder," or "Jack Reacher?" Neither can we. Tom has a tendency to hog the spotlight whilst his co-stars gawk at his coolness from a distance. Again, no judgment. We're not knocking Tom Cruise. In fact, we're too busy gawking at his awesomeness with everyone else.

Tom goes real fast

We've already discussed Tom's obsession with motorcycles, but that's only part of the story. Nearly every Tom Cruise movie features the actor going  really  fast, either by running, driving, flying, or boating. "Top Gun" is the obvious choice here, but also consider Ron Howard's dramatic epic "Far and Away," in which Tom hops on a horse and outruns  everyone  to claim his piece of Oklahoma property. Or, how about "Minority Report," where he leaps on the back of a flying attacker and rockets up a building? One of the most memorable sequences in "War of the Worlds" involves Tom driving a minivan  really  fast down a highway while arguing with his son. And "Collateral's" climax literally takes place on a high-speeding subway train. 

So, yeah, when Tom Cruise says he feels the need for speed, he means it. 

In fact, Newsweek notes that in "Top Gun: Maverick," the actor took to the skies in an actual fighter jet and by the looks of it, hit some pretty astonishing speeds, while "Mission: Impossible — Fallout" gave him a chance to fly a helicopter through snow-covered mountains at an accelerate rate. Smithsonian Magazine details how "American Made" allowed the actor to put his pilot's license to use and perform intense flying sequences in a six-seat Piper Aerostar 600 and a Cessna 414.

Let's just say, Tom knows how to take our breath away.

Tom hangs on for dear life

In many of Tom's films, the actor is forced to hang onto something for dear life. You may remember that plane sequence at the beginning of "Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation," but there are actually so many instances of the superstar clinging to the side of something or other in a desperate attempt to keep himself from falling, or (in this case) as a means to slide a key card into an underwater computer. In "Knight and Day," the action maestro hangs onto Cameron Diaz's car while battling bad guys; in "War of the Worlds" he hangs onto a group of strangers to avoid being sucked into an alien ship; and in "Rock of Ages," he clings to a pole while performing a shirtless musical ballad.

Perhaps most famously, Tom hung off of the side of the massive Burj Khalifa building for "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol." Stunt coordinator Greg Smrz explained to Yahoo! how Cruise managed to hang off this enormous skyscraper that extends 2,722 feet in the air (which Cruise later ascended to obtain this photo ). Even "Edge of Tomorrow" featured the actor clinging to an object — a machine gun attached to a military aircraft — during the action-packed climax, which is set at the well-renowned Louvre in Paris, France. 

Considering his age, it's likely we won't get to see Tom hang around much longer, but we'll continue to enjoy his many death-defying feats for as long as he's willing to perform them.

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Birth Name: Thomas Cruise Mapother IV

Birth Place: Syracuse, New York, United States

Profession Actor, producer

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Screenwriter, executive producer, production designer.

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Tom cruise’s 10 most memorable characters.

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10 Parodies That Became More Iconic Than The Movies They Spoofed

Harry potter's ron weasley star & his yule ball partner reunite 19 years later in new photo, chris hemsworth's new mcu replacement franchise is better than a thor return.

There are A-List actors, and then there’s Tom Cruise. The guy transcends every defined rule of Hollywood and is an even bigger name at 57 than he was in what people would call his prime age. Tom’s penchant for choosing roles that carry impactful moments and stories has made these characters stand out even decades after their portrayals.

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Now, with Tom’s legacy set long ago, we’ve already experienced those characters we can claim definitively are his most memorable. In this list, while we believe all these 10 characters were awesome, we do want to stress on “memorable” rather than them being the most popular or the best ones.

Ray Ferrier - War Of The Worlds (2005)

In a strange occurrence, this character is memorable for us because of Tom’s personal life at the time. Back then, he had made his romance with Katie Holmes public, which had the effect of placing War of the Worlds in great interest.

In-universe, the character of Ray was memorable due to him being an everyman. He had problems like every other dad would: his kids weren’t too fond of him and his ex-wife was giving him a hard time, among other things. By placing a normal protagonist in the center of an alien invasion, we had a very relatable character to have as an audience surrogate.

John Anderton - Minority Report (2002)

At the time, there had probably never been a film that could have so many tropes wrapped into one, making Minority Report an anomaly. In the story, Cruise’s character was chased by authorities due to a prediction that he would take the life of a man in the near future.

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The science-fiction elements in place were great, but Tom made this character someone we felt genuinely sorry for, thereby handing the film its key factor of making the protagonist a person we wanted to root for. He’s featured in great action sequences as well, although it is Tom’s ability to make John so easy to feel for that we were on board with the character from the start.

Barry Seal - American Made (2017)

We’re talking memorable, not popular, which makes American Made a splendid Tom Cruise film where the protagonist isn’t one you’ll forget once you’ve watched the movie. It’s not completely clear whether we’re supposed to feel bad or feel as if his character deserved to suffer in this story, as he was definitely a conman.

Still, it was a departure from the new normal of Tom, who has been starring in big-budget action features for the last decade. This made his turn in American Made the stuff that award pushes are made of. It’s a shame he didn’t get recognized on a big level for this performance.

Maverick - Top Gun (1985 & 2020)

If you happen to have forgotten who Maverick was, then you’ll be in for a reminder by next year where we’ll have Top Gun : Maverick to entertain us in this generation. The original film was resoundingly popular and would have grossed almost $1 billion according to inflation-adjusted dollars.

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Making Maverick so darn cool was firstly his occupation as a high-flyer, a quality greatly augmented by the fact that Tom himself is a real-life pilot. The main reason for this character’s longevity, though, is his penchant for one-liners and his boyish attitude. Now, let's see where he stands in life in the sequel.

Frank Mackey - Magnolia (2000)

Magnolia is a film you watch when you want to feel sad for no particular reason. Every character was depressed about one thing or another, and Tom’s supporting part was wonderful in driving home this point.

Featured as a motivational speaker with a checkered past, Tom brought out a vulnerability behind the steely-eyed persona that Frank put up. The finale, where Frank bared out how much his father had hurt him by abandoning him in his youth, was a masterclass in showing unbridled and pent-up sorrow. The Oscar nomination for this role was well-deserved.

William Cage - Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

We all love Tom Cruise and admire him for being a stand-up guy in general who’s modest and has a lion’s heart. And yet, he seems to play quite a lot of spineless jerks who have to go through traumatic experiences to gain a name for themselves.

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Edge of Tomorrow ’s William Cage was one who started out as a complete joke but went through an awesome tale of time loop travel where he had to live out his life unless he could change the future for the better. The character has way more comedy than most Tom Cruise roles, and the fact that he’s less cool and more joke-y here makes it a very memorable character.

Vincent - Collateral (2004)

Sooner or later, an actor needs to play against type in order to show off their range. Tom had his time in the sun for that as he took a turn as a villain in Collateral . It didn’t deter Tom whether he was a good or bad guy, though, as Vincent was effortlessly charming and deadly as many other Tom Cruise roles have been.

Having him in the backdrop of a single night setting also helped in keeping Vincent’s character firmly in our minds, as he managed to accomplish having many cool moments within the limited timeline. Plus, this was the first time we saw a villainous Tom Cruise do his iconic running stance.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

People call this the romantic comedy made for men, and those people had it bang on the money over this terminology because Jerry Maguire is a film that all guys will find heartwarming.

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At the center of Tom’s performance as Jerry was his back-against-the-wall scenario, where he did something about his life and managed a career of his own without the backing of any agency. More than that, it was his bromance with Rodney that had us laughing and then crying when the two embraced near the end of the movie after their struggles bore fruit. More importantly, who can forget Jerry’s “You complete me ” scene?

Les Grossman - Tropic Thunder (2008)

A few roles on this list were different than Tom’s usual formula, but none can ever reach the levels Les Grossman achieved, whose portrayal by Tom isn’t even common knowledge anymore. Tom was unrecognizable as this character, as his mannerisms completely changed and his foul-mouthed antics were gloriously inappropriate.

You can find dozens of videos on YouTube dedicated solely to the number of insults Grossman threw out during Tropic Thunder , and his final dance number is something nobody in their wildest dreams would have ever imagined Tom doing. Just talking about Les Grossman makes us want to watch the film all over again, what with all his lines being instantly quotable.

Ethan Hunt - Mission: Impossible Series (1996-Present)

You must have known this role was inevitable to take the top spot, as Ethan Hunt has allowed Tom to become an everlasting legend in the world. Despite pushing 60 by this point, the Mission: Impossible   series runs on the star power brought by Tom, with Ethan Hunt being a staple of the action genre.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout became the highest-grossing film of the series last year, and Ethan Hunt’s constant stunts and death-defying tricks are the reason for this golden run. We’ve seen Tom complete authentic action in climbing skyscrapers, holding onto airbound planes, jumping freefall through the air, and holding his breath underwater for several minutes. There’s no way a character like this can be termed as anything other than legendary.

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• Top Gun (1986)

IMDbPro Starmeter 44 17

• Contact info
• 64 wins & 119 nominations total

Brat Pack Movies Beyond 'The Breakfast Club'

Photos 1998

• Nathan Algren

• Jerry Maguire

• Chief John Anderton
• Post-production
• Cage (rumored)
• In Development
• Pre-production

• Capt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell

• Team Member

• Nick Morton

• Jack Reacher

• Stacee Jaxx

• Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
• producer (produced by)

• producer (uncredited)

• executive producer

• In-development projects at IMDbPro

Personal details

• Tomu Kurûzu
• 5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
• July 3 , 1962
• Syracuse, New York, USA
• Spouses Katie Holmes November 18, 2006 - August 20, 2012 (divorced, 1 child)
• Children Isabella Jane Cruise
• Parents Thomas Mapother III
• Relatives William Mapother (Cousin)
• Other works Played Nathan Detroit in a high school production of "Guys and Dolls"
• 12 Print Biographies
• 9 Portrayals
• 32 Interviews
• 145 Articles
• 21 Pictorials
• 764 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

• Trivia His acting idol is Paul Newman . Much to the delight of Cruise, they became good friends during work on The Color of Money (1986) . Newman got him into racing, and Cruise ultimately raced on his team.
• Quotes The thing about filmmaking is I give it everything, that's why I work so hard. I always tell young actors to take charge. It's not that hard. Sign your own checks, be responsible.
• Trademarks Often plays romantic leading men with an edge
• Salaries Mission: Impossible 8 ( 2025 ) $13,000,000 + % of back end
• How old is Tom Cruise?
• When was Tom Cruise born?
• Where was Tom Cruise born?

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Review: Tom Cruise's excellent 'Top Gun: Maverick' takes to the skies, sticks to the formula

The long-awaited aerial extravaganza “Top Gun: Maverick” knows its audience extremely well and wastes no time getting to business – which means cranking up Kenny Loggins’ classic “Danger Zone” and turning on the sweet sounds of fighter jet engines.

Gen Xers may get forgotten about from time to time, but  Tom Cruise looks out for the 1980s kids who’ve been waiting 36 years for this thing. In the opening moments of director Joseph Kosinski’s excellently macho follow-up (★★★½ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters Friday), you don't know if you’re watching the original 1986 “Top Gun” or a new one.  

Unlike its title character, "Maverick" knows how to stick to a plan: This movie not just drips nostalgia but hoses fans down with it, doling out quality man hugs, shirtless beach sports, bar singalongs, snappy one-liners, an endless supply of Ray-Bans and Cruise reaffirming his status as an ageless wonder.

'Let's light the fires': Tom Cruise arrives by helicopter for world premiere of 'Top Gun: Maverick'

The iconic action hero returns as Pete Mitchell (call sign “Maverick”), an ace aviator and Navy captain who’s reminded he should be at least a two-star admiral by now but hasn’t changed his rogue attitude much in the last three decades. We’re reintroduced to Maverick pushing the boundaries of physics and his bosses’ buttons when his program as a test pilot is scrapped and he's reassigned to San Diego's Top Gun flight school as an instructor.

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Immediately, he rubs his new commander, Cyclone (Jon Hamm back in irritable Don Draper mode), the wrong way, yet there’s a very important task at hand: An enemy uranium facility is about to come online and Maverick needs to test and weed out the best of the best young Top Gun graduates to find a team to take the place out. (And like in the first film, it’s purposefully fuzzy which country we’re attacking.)

The seriousness of this rather impossible mission is made more personally fraught when one of the flyboys turns out to be Rooster ( Miles Teller ), the son of Maverick’s late wingman Goose. Rooster has good reason to be irked at Maverick’s presence, and the only thing that wipes the usual smirk off Maverick’s face is the guilt he still holds over the death of his best friend, so those two need to work out a lot of their feels.

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As insanely cool as the aerial dogfight scenes were in the original, the sequel’s action sequences level them up with unreal camera angles and nonstop tension. Kosinski aims to make moviegoers feel what it’s like to have your head squished by gG-forces and wonder where in the blue blazes the bad guys are coming from. Toss in the unmistakable Harold Faltermeyer theme and it’s like you’re 10 years old again, watching Maverick rule the air the first time around.

Cruise finds new ways to add depth to his signature character (sorry, Ethan Hunt) without sacrificing any of his essential qualities. Jennifer Connelly plays Maverick’s love interest, Penny, an old flame who grounds our hero, and Teller, with his best turn since “Whiplash,” factors in as a worthy emotional foil, though the movie falls probably one Maverick/Rooster conversation short of really nailing that core relationship.

Glen Powell: New 'Top Gun' flyboy talks Tom Cruise

Original “Top Gun” star Val Kilmer returns in heartwarming fashion as Iceman – if there’s one scene that really takes your breath away, it’s his – though his spiritual successor arrives in the delightfully cocky Hangman ( Glen Powell ), a tanned and toothpick-chewing piece of work aiming to be mission leader. The rest of the young aviators – including Phoenix (Monica Barbaro) and her co-pilot Bob (Lewis Pullman) – are a mixed bag of character development but at least everybody gets a moment in the air dogfighting and on the sand with a game of beach football, less a team-building exercise than a parade of sunglasses and ripped abs.

'Top Gun: Maverick' first reactions: Tom Cruise is 'our greatest movie star' in 2022's 'best film'

Sure, “Maverick” ideally would be less formulaic – and for the record, it doesn’t quite match the magic of the OG “Top Gun.” At the same time, this kind of movie isn’t made anymore, making it a novelty to younger eyes who haven’t had the gung-ho patriotic pleasure. But the template just works, even when throwing in a Lady Gaga song for extra dramatic gusto.

Whether you’re feeling the need for speed for the first time or haven’t lost that loving feeling since ’86, the Danger Zone is still a pretty spectacular place to visit.

Incredible Tom Cruise Green Lantern Art Is Everything I Want For DC's Reboot

• The DCU is rebooting Green Lantern's cinematic career with its Lanterns show, featuring Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
• Fan art by Boss Logic depicting Tom Cruise as Hal Jordan shows just why he'd be such a solid DCU casting.
• Since the DCU is flipping the script with a lot of its characters, having Cruise as Hal Jordan makes even more sense.

The DCU is set to reboot Green Lantern's cinematic career, and a great piece of fan art is everything I want to see from it. Many faces hold the Green Lantern mantle as they comprise the Green Lantern Corps, which the DCU appears to be adapting into its upcoming show , Lanterns . 2025's Superman movie , meanwhile, will debut one of the top-ranking members of the corps, the canonically controversial Guy Gardner, who will be played by Nathan Fillion.

This will be the first time that a Green Lantern has appeared in a DC movie since the critically panned debut of Ryan Reynolds' Hal Jordan in 2011's Green Lantern . Hal Jordan is set to star alongside John Stewart in the DCU Lanterns show , though casting decisions for the show are yet to emerge. In the meantime, fans will be giving their two cents on which actors would make a good Green Lantern. Thanks to one incredible piece of fan art created six years ago, my mind has now been made up on who would be best suited to the role.

DCU Chapter One Gods And Monsters: Every Movie & Show In The New DC Universe

James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe begins with six movies and six shows that open the DCU's first chapter, "Gods and Monsters".

Boss Logic Created This Incredible Green Lantern Art In 2018

Artist Boss Logic created a version of Hal Jordan posted to Facebook that shows what the hero would look like if portrayed by Tom Cruise. The image shows Cruise in the iconic Green Lantern Corps suit with completely white eyes as he uses his power ring. His suit looks particularly sleek, with a green mist emanating from the Lantern Corps symbol on his chest. In the background is a still of Tom Cruise's Maverick descending from a plane's cockpit in Top Gun.

Cruise is also a top pick for a Tony Stark variant in the MCU.

The post reads " We all know #topgun is a Hal Jordan origin story ," drawing a parallel between Cruise's Maverick in Top Gun and Hal Jordan. Yet the art garnered some mixed reactions, with some comments questioning Cruise's acting ability, and signifying that the actor would be too old to portray the comparatively youthful Hal Jordan. Other comments, meanwhile, agree that this would be a particularly perfect casting for Hal Jordan - which is something I'd have to agree with.

Lanterns: Casting DC Legend Hal Jordan For The DCU's Green Lantern Show

Who will play a veteran Hal Jordan in the DCU's Lanterns series coming to HBO? We have 10 exciting options for the Green Lantern legend.

I'm Even More Convinced Now That Tom Cruise Should Be Hal Jordan

The similarities between Hal Jordan and Maverick are stark, with both being cocky, courageous, and headstrong Air Force pilots. With that in mind, it is fair to say that Tom Cruise would have made a fantastic live-action Hal Jordan given his track record of embodying a hugely similar role . Moreover, Cruise is a dyed-in-the-wool action star who could easily pull off the physicality necessary for portraying the Justice League founder.

Cruise is already a rumored frontrunner for the role of Hal Jordan following a recent deal he made with Warner Bros.

The DCU is poised to flip the script on the typical DC movie tropes. The fact that it will debut a litany of more obscure DC characters like The Authority - a team that formed in a different universe in DC Comics - suggests that it will be forging ahead with fresh stories. Hal Jordan is possibly the most popular Green Lantern, but he could feasibly be portrayed by an older actor after several years of being an established hero, making this casting all the more potentially viable.

DC Universe

The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel.DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Created by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson

Cast Jack Dylan Grazer, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jay Hernandez, Cara Delevingne, Jeremy Irons, Djimon Hounsou, Ali Wong, Laurence Fishburne, Robin Wright, Jesse Eisenberg, Zachary Levi, Rosie Perez, Ezra Miller, Jai Courtney, Mark Strong, Chris Pine, Ray Fisher, Michael Keaton, Patrick Wilson, Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman, Gal Gadot, Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Amy Adams, Ella Jay Basco, Xolo Mariduena, Asher Angel, Ewan McGregor, Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Henry Cavill, John Cena, Viola Davis, Ben Affleck, Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, George Clooney, Jurnee Smollett, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Character(s) The Joker, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, Black Adam, Aquaman, Shazam, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deathstroke, Deadshot, Darkseid, Black Canary, Amanda Waller

Source: Facebook/Boss Logic

Top Gun: Maverick Director Reacts To Grim Fan Theory That Tom Cruise’s Character Dies

There's a reason this theory holds water.

There are few things worse than the “It was all a dream” plot twist. It’s lazy, and tired, and really only used when creatives have exhausted every possible scenario. This, mind you, is different from the worthy plot twists that have powered some of the best films from our lifetime, be it Fight Club , The Usual Suspects , Parasite , or Chinatown . They had narrative twists that had us rethinking everything that we watched. But a recent fan theory has us reconsidering the blockbuster Top Gun : Maverick , and even director Joseph Kosinski has a few things to say about it.

Legacy sequels are the rage in Hollywood, but few have been as successful as Top Gun: Maverick , a long-gestating follow up to Tony Scott ’s iconic flight thriller Top Gun , with Tom Cruise in the lead. Cruise had been circling a Top Gun sequel for years, but never landed on a worthy script until they cracked the story that led to Top Gun: Maverick . The sequel worked so well that we’re already hearing news about Top Gun 3 , though such a sequel definitely wouldn’t be able to happen if the popular fan theory were true. Is it? Let’s get into the theory, and then talk about Joseph Kosinski’s comments on it after the fact. 

The Top Gun: Maverick Fan Theory

You guys remember how Top Gun: Maverick opened, right? We catch up with our beloved Pete “Maverick” Mitchell on the day he’s forced to test pilot a hypersonic scramjet, proving it’s capable of reaching Mach 10 before his government superiors shut his program down. Even when Maverick reaches Mach 10, he pushes the test a little bit too far, and crashes to craft. 

This leads to a very funny scene where Maverick stumbles into a roadside diner, chugs a glass of water, and asks a little boy where he is:

Hilarious. However, what if that moment never really happened. According to the Top Gun: Maverick fan theory, Tom Cruise ’s character died in the scramjet crash. And everything that happened after the crash was a death dream. They say right before you die, your entire life flashes before your eyes. So what if Pete Mitchell saw the life he wished he had, then bit the dust? 

If you think about the remainder of Top Gun: Maverick through this lens, then a number of the narrative threads take on new meaning. There is an entire redemption arc to Maverick that’s reminiscent of the things someone on their death bed might imagine. Pete is able to return to Top Gun, the school that housed his greatest professional glories. He rekindles relationships with Penny ( Jennifer Connelly ) and Iceman ( Val Kilmer ). He even mends the fence with Rooster ( Miles Teller ), son of his former co-pilot and the one person he feels he’s wronged the most. 

It’s a movie filled with high-flying action… and atonement. Said that way, you can see how people wanting to believe that Maverick died in the movie’s opening flight have evidence and proof that could back their theory. 

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So, what does the film’s director have to say about it?

Does The Director Agree With The Theory? 

In a short answer, no, Joseph Kosinski doesn’t really give credence to the theory that Pete Mitchell dies in Top Gun: Maverick , and the bulk of the movie is a death dream. The few times that Kosinski has addressed the theory, he leaves it open to interpretation , not wanting to completely shut down the conversation. And during a recent conversation with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the director said that in the early script phases, they did plan to follow Maverick in free fall, showing him re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. You know Cruise would have been up for shooting that practically.

Kosinski doesn’t want to end the conversation, however, as he tells Horowitz:

I love it. Film is meant to be interpreted. I love that there's multiple ways to read it. It's, you know, hopefully it's a piece of art meant to be interpreted, and I love people reading those things into it. It's like The Big Lebowski Theory that Donnie's not really there so, no, I welcome that.

No filmmaker should want to extinguish active commentary about their work. Unless it’s patently false and detrimental to the cause. But in the case of the Maverick’s Dead theory, Joseph Kosinski seems to be entertained by the fact that people can watch his well-reviewed film and take something as wild as this away from the story.

We’ll have a long way to wait until Top Gun 3 happens (if it happens at all), but Tom Cruise has other films on the way including the next Mission: Impossible , one of many upcoming 2024 movies we have on our radar. 

Sean O’Connell is a journalist and CinemaBlend’s Managing Editor. Having been with the site since 2011, Sean interviewed myriad directors, actors and producers, and created ReelBlend, which he proudly cohosts with Jake Hamilton and Kevin McCarthy. And he's the author of RELEASE THE SNYDER CUT, the Spider-Man history book WITH GREAT POWER, and an upcoming book about Bruce Willis.

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Risky Business at 40: Tom Cruise’s Breakout Hit Revisited

August 19, 2023 by Tom Jolliffe

We take a look back at Tom Cruise’s breakout hit Risky Business, which turned 40 this month…

Tom Cruise is probably the last great movie star and still pulling in the big bucks with the latest in his Mission: Impossible franchise, which despite the naysayers, will still likely tip close to two-thirds of a cool billion by the time its theatrical run ends (and would have done more if not for unexpectedly huge returns from Barbenheimer). 40 years ago it all began with a breakout year where Cruise was part of a huge ensemble in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders , but more importantly his first leading role in Risky Business.  

Some films are truly unique. The coming-of-age teen comedy back in the day was marked by high peaks like Fast Times at Ridgemont High , which among the usual attempts to get laid or get high, incorporated some weightier topics and perfectly captured that crushing hit of adulthood just around the corner. Oh, the joys of responsibility. That film aside the larger output of films was more focused on the anarchic chaos of youth with films like Animal House , Porkys , Revenge of the Nerds and more. The emphasis was very much centred more on youthful exuberance and bawdy and/or physical comedy. 

Describing Risky Business , however, is difficult. A dreamy, almost cerebral coming-of-age film that borders on fantastical with its unlikely scenarios. The lurid aspects seem to avoid any moral questioning given the very nature of the film’s odd style and Cruise’s boyish charm. Had he come across as more cocksure, arrogant or somehow exploitative it wouldn’t have dated as well.

There’s a difference between Cruise’s Joel setting up a brothel to cater to high school seniors looking to boost their experience before college, than if you had the same setup orchestrated by Steve Stifler for example. Not least as Joel kind of gets swept away by an idea given to him by the dazzling call girl Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) who manipulates him into a series of farcical situations (that still feel like the escalating misadventures one might dream of). The fact it’s a strong female character calling the shots and her ballsy colleagues make them feel more empowered than exploited has probably helped Risky Business evade the ‘woke’ microscope. 

Central to the film’s dream-like state, aside from a lot of listless journeys and encounters in the dead of night, is the score from Tangerine Dream. You have dreamy synth atmospherics, sometimes undercut with pulsating sequences. Several tracks, most notably Love on a Real Train have been reused countless times in other shows, movies and video games. That fantastic and evocative score is also perfectly supplemented by a stellar soundtrack and Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight is a song with depth and almost ominous threat that perfectly fits its sequence.

Risky Business is a really strange odyssey where Joel learns to step back from the pressure put upon him to be a high roller, looking at Princeton or bust (to follow in his father’s footsteps). Though his journey from a sterile family home and affluent upbringing to becoming worldly and enterprising has those lurid aspects it still manages to enrapture to this day. The film’s unique approach to the ‘teen comedy’ feels almost like an approach A24 might attempt now in a modern subversion of tropes. 

At the centre of the film is the undoubted star quality of Tom Cruise, and his gawky lack of assurance, to begin with, seems totally against the unshakable persona he’s since built up as an action star. Of course, he builds assertiveness through the picture here, but it’s still a fascinating starting point. The fact Cruise looked younger than his age, and even his playing age, also imbued his character with a naivety and endearing awkwardness.

Likewise, De Mornay is sensational in this. It’s an early role in her career and she’s almost ethereal. With a degree of stoicism at times she manages to beautifully portray the complexity within. There’s a depth of emotion as we can visibly see her moral quandary. Is Joel just a mark, or is he more? At the heart of her journey is a desire to serve her own needs. Whilst it’s not life or death, it’s a direct need to feel in control and call the shots rather than just be another hooker to a pimp (Joe Pantoliano, who is atypically great). 

The film couldn’t retain such a legacy purely on a dreamy atmosphere, great soundtrack and cast. It needs to have memorable moments to be iconic. Most significant pop culture moments in cinema are built on memorable moments and identifiers. It could be Cruise’s living room dance in his underwear as the bored Joel spends his weekend night of freedom alone, with nothing to do but slide across his floor or hump his couch to the tune of Old Time Rock and Roll. It might be dunking his father’s Porsche into a river or the love scenes. 

Some 40 years on, even if the film had maybe not suggested quite Cruise’s level of superstardom, it’s fair to say many will have predicted his box office golden touch that has carried through each decade he’s been in the business. Cruise’s charisma was recognised by the Golden Globes for this film, where he received a nomination for Best Actor (in a comedy/musical).

Perhaps more surprising is that De Mornay was unable to sustain major leading parts into the 21st century or writer/director Paul Brickman was unable to hit the potential shown here. He was pretty well established by this point anyway, but Risky Business is the standout film in his resume. Personal legacies aside, Risky Business remains a unique experience with a blend of elements very few have attempted since. 

What are your thoughts on Risky Business ? Let us know your thoughts on our channels @FlickeringMyth…

Tom Jolliffe is an award-winning screenwriter and passionate cinephile. He has a number of films out around the world, including When Darkness Falls, Renegades (Lee Majors and Danny Trejo) and War of The Worlds: The Attack (Vincent Regan), with more coming soon including Cinderella’s Revenge (Natasha Henstridge) and The Baby in the Basket (Maryam d’Abo and Paul Barber). Find more info at the best personal site you’ll ever see  here .

About Tom Jolliffe

Tom Jolliffe is an award-winning screenwriter, film journalist and passionate cinephile. He has written a number of feature films including 'Renegades' (Danny Trejo, Lee Majors), 'Cinderella's Revenge' (Natasha Henstridge) and 'War of the Worlds: The Attack' (Vincent Regan). He also wrote and produced the upcoming gothic horror film 'The Baby in the Basket'.

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‘Top Gun’ to ‘Rain Man’: Tom Cruise’s Best Roles of the 80s, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes

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It’s pretty hard to believe that Tom Cruise hasn’t always been hanging from the sides of planes for our own enjoyment; he’s just one of those actors who feels as though they’ve been around forever, but for Cruise? Well, Cruise kick-started his career four decades ago.

RELATED: Mission Impossible to Top Gun: 10 Best Tom Cruise Stunts, Ranked

While it’s up for debate on whether Cruise holds the trophy for the world’s greatest action hero – he has a strong case – he’s flexed his range way beyond the genre. His filmography may not be perfect, but Cruise always promises to provide entertainment, even back when he was still finding his feet.

‘ Cocktail ’ (1988) 7%

Off the Florida Keys, there’s a place called Kokomo … is exactly what you’ll be singing every single time you watch Cocktail because not only is it catchy, it captures the beach aesthetic perfectly when Cruise’s Brian Flanagan relocates to Jamaica.

Cruise gets to show off his bartending skills as another cocky rookie taken under the wing of connoisseur Doug ( Bryan Brown ). He impresses more than just the locals when he catches the eye of artist Jordan ( Elisabeth Shue ), but Brian comes to find that life can be less than fair, and it’s going to take a lot more than tossing some bottles to win her heart and pursue his dream.

‘ Top Gun ’ (1986) 57%

Top Gun is about as feel-good, dudes being dudes as you are ever going to get as far as cinema is concerned. Between the karaoke and the volleyball, it’s difficult to pinpoint which moment is our favorite. If Cruise can do anything, it’s portray the smug daredevil with an ever-growing desire to break the rules.

RELATED: From 'Top Gun' to 'Mission Impossible': 10 Essential Tom Cruise Movies

Top Gun is pure adrenaline excellence. The soundtrack is uplifting , you are desperately rooting for each of the characters , there’s some overzealous male bonding, and the token tragic backstory that gives the leading man an edgy aura. There’s even a fiery romance in the middle of the action that embodies its own narrative; Top Gun is one for the ages, and is always guaranteed to get you cheering and fist-pumping as it draws into its conclusion.

‘ Taps ’ (1981) 68%

In Cruise’s second ever film role, he plays military student Cadet Captain David Shawn who joins forces with his classmates, including Sean Penn in his debut, to prevent their school from closing.

Taps is a very intense depiction of life within military school.

It is a deep dissection of what honor among men truly means, bringing a great deal of drama to the table that builds up to a suspenseful climax and leaves a lingering afterthought playing on your mind.

‘ The Outsiders ’ (1983) 68%

While not Cruise’s big break, The Outsiders is perhaps most notable for its high profile soon-to-be stars such as Rob Lowe , Emilio Esteves , and Patrick Swayze . The Outsiders is the incidental creation of the Brat Pack phenomenon of the 1980s.

RELATED: The Best Coming-of-Age Shows on Netflix Right Now

The film has been praised for its authentic depiction of teenagers living in poverty-stricken conditions – a rare form of cinema in Hollywood. Inspired by the book of the same name, The Outsiders is a tragic coming-of-age story which has the leading characters confined by their backgrounds and made to experience the atrocities of life from adolescence.

‘ Born on the Fourth of July ’ (1989) 86%

Born on the Fourth of July is an incredibly moving piece of work based on the autobiography of anti-war activist Ron Kovic – played by Cruise. It follows Kovic through his childhood into his service during the Vietnam War before detailing his venture into anti-war activism.

Cruise gives an unforgettable performance full of relentless passion. However, the film is not exactly one for all film viewers, and has been widely criticized for its dramatization of events. On the contrary, Born on the Fourth of July packs one hell of a gut punch when it comes to the depiction of the Vietnam War and the horrors these veterans faced.

‘ The Color of Money ’ (1986) 89%

Before leading his very own legacy sequel as the hardened veteran, Cruise was playing yet another cocky rookie with the greatest potential alongside Hollywood royalty Paul Newman .

The Color of Money sees Newman’s ‘Fast Eddie’ retiring and hanging up his cue before finding a mentee in Vince (Cruise), who he passes down the secret to hustling and shapes him into the pool shark he is destined to become. The performances from both leading actors are superb; Cruise is in with the big league here, and reflecting back on the film while looking at his career now holds an air of poignancy as he passes on the mantle in his own film franchise.

‘ Rain Man ’ (1988) 89%

Cruise stars alongside Dustin Hoffman as arrogant dealership-man Charlie Babbitt who has been pushed out of his late father’s will in favor of older brother Raymond (Hoffman). Rain Man is utterly heartbreaking to watch; the estranged brothers go on an emotional rollercoaster of rediscovery as Charlie is hit with a life-altering epiphany.

RELATED: 9 Movies You Forgot Were Scored by Hans Zimmer

This is one of Cruise’s strongest performances. He becomes an embodiment of vulnerability. The deep connection between the two brothers is palpable, and you can feel their dynamic blossom as the narrative progresses. It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will absolutely make you appreciate the beauty of Charlie and Raymond’s brotherhood.

‘ Risky Business ’ (1983) 92%

Risky Business is the movie that put Cruise on the map. Though his character Joel Goodson is famously remembered for dancing around in his underwear to Old Time Rock and Roll, his transformation from straight-laced socialite to willful mogul is what ultimately makes the film great.

Sharing the screen with Rebecca De Mornay , Cruise embarks on a coming of age drama about figuring out one’s future, and is not afraid to dive deep into darker themes. Cruise is fantastic to watch in his breakout role; he sets himself up a strong contender in the world of Hollywood, and he has the range to cover it.

NEXT: The Best Action Movies on Netflix Right Now

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Tom cruise flies helicopter with son connor after missing daughter suri’s graduation.

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It’s not “mission impossible” for him to see at least one of his kids.

Tom Cruise was seen deplaning a helicopter alongside his son, Connor Cruise, in central London Friday — a week after skipping his youngest child Suri Cruise’s high school graduation .

Paparazzi snapped the action movie star, 61, wearing a short-sleeved, gray shirt that showcased his muscular arms and a pair of jeans as he grinned from ear to ear while leaving the heliport.

Connor, 29, meanwhile, was dressed comfortably in a black hoodie, gray slacks, sneakers, a matching cap and a pair of shades. The expression on his face, unlike his dad, was serious and calm.

Per eyewitnesses, the father-son duo were joined by a few other unnamed guests during the aerial outing.

Tom’s sighting with Connor comes as he faces backlash for missing a milestone celebration in Suri’s life.

A day after missing the 18-year-old’s graduation from LaGuardia High School, the “Mission Impossible” star chose to party with Swifties and celebs at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in London last Saturday.

Tom was spotted laughing and schmoozing with the pop superstar’s boyfriend , Travis Kelce, in the VIP tent and exchanging friendship bracelets across the pond.

Meanwhile, Suri rang in her commencement ceremony with mom Katie Holmes and fellow students.

It’s not surprising Tom didn’t make it to his daughter’s big day, though, as they’ve been estranged for years .

In March 2023, a source exclusively confirmed to Page Six that the “Top Gun” star has “no part” in the teen’s life, which he previously admitted in a deposition lawsuit was due to his  ties to Scientology .

When Holmes, 45, called it quits with Tom in 2011, she and Suri no longer had any part in the controversial church, which reportedly does not allow its members to associate with nonbelievers.

However, because Connor — who is Tom’s adopted son with ex-wife Nicole Kidman — is still a Scientologist, he is still able to spend quality time with his famous father.

In November 2018, Kidman, 57, opened up about Connor and his sister Bella Cruise’s decision to remain part of the Church of Scientology.

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“They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions,” the “Moulin Rouge” star told Australian magazine Who at the time.

“They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them. And I am an example of that tolerance and that’s what I believe – that no matter what your child does, the child has love and the child has to know there is available love and I’m open here.”

Kidman — who is now married to Keith Urban — divorced Tom in 2001.

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