ACTOR · BORN 1962
Tom Cruise
- Born
- 3 July 1962, Syracuse, New York, USA
- Known for
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Top Gun (1986), Pacific Rim (2013), The Mummy (2017)
79 archived facts 8 topics 2 sources Last reviewed Nov 2026
Tom Cruise (born 3 July 1962) is an actor best known for Edge of Tomorrow, Top Gun and Pacific Rim.
79 Interesting Facts About Tom Cruise
Interesting Facts (29)
- #001
He wears a mask in six movies: in all of the first three Mission: Impossible movies, Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Vanilla Sky (2001) and Minority Report (2002), where the injection that makes his face disfigured can be considered a futuristic mask.
- #002
He and ex-wife Nicole Kidman made three movies together: Days of Thunder (1990), Far and Away (1992) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999). They met on the set of Days of Thunder (1990).
- #003
Says Vanilla Sky (2001) is the best film he's done.
- #004
Was originally to star in Enemy of the State (1998), but scheduling conflicts with Eyes Wide Shut (1999) forced him to miss out on the film. His role went to Will Smith.
- #005
His May 2005 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986) was named the #1 "Celebrity Meltdown Ever" by TV Guide magazine.
- #006
He became good friends with Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton during the making of Taps (1981).
- #007
Wore braces on his flashy, million-dollar smile in 2002 to correct a misaligned bite.
- #008
According to Forbes magazine, for each dollar he got paid, Cruise's movies averaged $11 of gross income.
- #009
His huge fans call themselves "Cruisers".
Tom Cruise: a sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 - #010
Emily Blunt thought it was fun to work with Cruise on Edge of Tomorrow (2014) because it was a challenging shoot and the exo-suits were arduous to wear every day.
- #011
Sky Movies dedicated a whole channel to his movies in 2015, which was a world first.
- #012
Emily Blunt called Tom Cruise a Chatty Cathy at a premiere for Edge of Tomorrow (2014).
- #013
He was originally wanted for the film Cold Mountain (2003).
- #014
Married to actress Katie Holmes from 2006 to 2012.
- #015
Cruise claims to only get four to six hours of sleep per day, for months at a time while filming movies.
- #016
He and Katie Holmes both wore Armani at their wedding.
- #017
Mentioned in the song "High School Never Ends" by Bowling For Soup.
- #018
Ranked #14 in Premiere magazine's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #16 in 2002.
- #019
Listed at Number 7 on "The Top 10 Box Office Moneymakers of 2007".
- #020
Attended the premiere of Mission: Impossible III (2006) in Paris, France.
- #021
His features and good looks served as the model for the Disney character Aladdin (1992).
- #022
Tom visited actress Brooke Shields at her home and personally apologized to her in 2005 for criticizing her use of prescription medication to overcome postpartum depression. Moved by the gesture, Brooke accepted his apology.
- #023
In 2002, Tom Cruise wore braces on his dazzling million-dollar smile to correct a misaligned bite.
- #024
Tom Cruise performed all of his own stunts in Edge of Tomorrow (2014); Doug Liman felt he could build a magnificent career out of it.
- #025
The number "3762" seen on a car's windshield in Rain Man (1988) is Tom's birthday — July 3, '62.
- #026
While a student at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, Tom Cruise worked in one of legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner's classes.
- #027
Doug Liman felt he had to keep up with Tom Cruise throughout the filming of Edge of Tomorrow (2014).
- #028
Tom Cruise claims that while filming a movie he sleeps only four to six hours a day for months.
- #029
Tom Cruise ranked 14th on Premiere magazine's 2006 "Power 50" list. He had also ranked 14th in 2005. He was the highest-ranked actor on the list.
Production Story (7)
- #030
(August 22, 2006) Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone announced through the "Wall Street Journal" that Viacom's Paramount subsidiary was terminating its development deal with Cruise after 14 years. Redstone said the firm terminated its deal with Cruise due to the under-performance of Mission: Impossible III (2006) (which had been expected to gross $100-150 million more than it did), which he attributed to Cruise's "bad behavior". Movie pundits were somewhat surprised by the announcement, as Cruise remains the top box office draw in North America and was Paramount's cash cow. Cruise's films reportedly have accounted for 32% of Paramount Pictures' revenues in the last six years, and he was named the Top Box Office draw for a record seventh time by Quigley Publications for the year 2005. As part of its machinations before severing its connections with Cruise, Paramount leaked to the press the information that the deal was worth $10 million annually; however, the development deal actually was for $3 million per annum. At the time of the announcement, Cruise and his advisers were considering Paramount's new offer of $2 million per year in development money when Redstone dropped this bombshell. The news gave rise to speculation that Paramount has run out of cash as it reportedly has told other development partners with which it has deals to use their own cash for the rest of the year, with the proviso they will be reimbursed come 2007.
- #031
He revealed to People magazine in 2010 that his first celebrity crush was Ingrid Bergman in Notorious (1946). He chose an Ingrid Bergman lookalike, Rebecca Ferguson, to be his co-star in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015) after he saw her in The White Queen (2013). Ferguson's character in Rogue Nation is named Ilsa, just like Bergman's character in Casablanca (1942).
- #032
Cruise earned roughly $75 million for Mission: Impossible II (2000). He did this by turning down any upfront salary and instead taking a back-end deal that landed him 30% of the film's gross for both his producing and acting duties.
- #033
He doesn't read a film script himself at first. He has it read aloud to him so that he hears the filmmakers' vision before his own ideas "invade it."
- #034
He went to an audition for the role of Howard Keach in Harry & Son (1984). He did not get the role, but the director, Paul Newman, remembered him and decided that he wanted Cruise for The Color of Money (1986).
- #035
He was the first choice for the Bollywood film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) when it was supposed to be made in English. The role eventually went to Shah Rukh Khan.
- #036
It was his idea to do three film premieres for Edge of Tomorrow (2014) all in one day; his co-star Emily Blunt said it was harder on her because she needed a different dress, makeup and hairdo for each one, while all he needed was a new suit, but still said they were a lot of fun. One of the premieres was at 5am and it was wet; director Doug Liman said that was a testament to Cruise's star power. For the film's London premiere, Cruise landed a helicopter in Trafalgar Square.
Behind the Scenes (14)
- #037
During the Days of Thunder (1990) shoot in Florida on Mother's Day, Tom took his mom on a skydiving expedition where he was training in DeLand (FL), where they both jumped in tandem and had the entire descent recorded on video. Nobody in his family was ever told about the planned dive until they each received a FedExed copy of the VHS tape.
- #038
Doug Liman felt he needed to keep up with Tom Cruise all throughout filming Edge of Tomorrow (2014).
- #039
Cruise did all his own stunts on Edge of Tomorrow (2014); Doug Liman felt he could make an amazing career out of it.
- #040
Tom Cruise recalled hearing Harold Faltermeyer's music for Top Gun on cassette in San Diego on July 4, 1985, while he was there with his family during production of the film.
- #041
While filming Days of Thunder (1990) at Daytona International Speedway, he drove one of the Hendricks Motorsports R&D cars around the track. The best time recorded was a lap at 205 MPH.
- #042
For the film Eyes Wide Shut (1999), he was required to do 95 takes of just walking through a door.
- #043
During filming on Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Emily Blunt took Cruise and Doug Liman out for karaoke one night; she terrified Liman by getting to see her in that different light.
- #044
He is the owner and operator of "Montana Miss", a World War II P-51 Mustang.
- #045
Although the shooting of Valkyrie (2008) caused controversy in Germany because of his Scientology membership, he was honored at the Bambi Awards in a newly created category, "Courage", by the organizers for "tackling a story that had never been covered by Hollywood before". The decision was also heavily criticized by journalists and politicians.
- #046
He was Guillermo del Toro's first choice for the role of Stacker Pentecost in Pacific Rim (2013), but Cruise turned it down due to scheduling conflicts with Oblivion (2013). Idris Elba was cast instead.
- #047
On January 25, 2009, he visited Moscow, Russia, for the first time. He told the press that he had dreamed of visiting the city since childhood. He stayed at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, which offers a panoramic view of Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre and the History Museum.
- #048
The number "3762" seen on a car's windshield in Rain Man (1988) is Tom's birthday - July 3, '62.
- #049
For Eyes Wide Shut (1999), he had to do 95 takes of simply walking through a door.
- #050
In 2000, he bought the screen rights to Celia Brayfield's novel "Heartswap," about partner swapping, for his then-wife Nicole Kidman to star in.
Characters & Cast (3)
- #051
He has played members of every branch of the United States Military except the Air Force: he was a Naval aviator in Top Gun (1986), a member of the Marine Corps in Born on the Fourth of July (1989), a lawyer for the Navy in A Few Good Men (1992) and a member of the Army in Edge of Tomorrow (2014).
- #052
- #053
He was offered the lead role in Footloose (1984), but turned it down to take a role in All the Right Moves (1983).
Easter Eggs & References (5)
- #054
In the film Rain Man (1988), the number "3762", seen on the windscreen of a car, is Tom's birthday - 3 July '62.
- #055
He has appeared in films opposite four directors who have also directed his films. Sydney Pollack, who directed The Firm (1993), appeared in Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Paul Thomas Anderson, who directed Magnolia (1999), appeared as an extra in Minority Report (2002). Minority Report (2002) director Steven Spielberg appeared in Vanilla Sky (2001) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). Cameron Crowe, who directed Jerry Maguire (1996) and Vanilla Sky (2001), appeared in Minority Report (2002).
- #056
Even though the Mission: Impossible series is his signature action series, he never actually fires a gun in the original film.
- #057
In both Rain Man (1988) and The Firm (1993), he portrays a man with an older brother named Raymond, who he helps free from a confined environment.
- #058
In the novel that inspired Edge of Tomorrow (2014), the author used the word Valkyrie, and Cruise was in the film of the same name; also, his character in the book won the order of the Valkyrie.
Deeper Meaning (1)
- #059
While he was working with Paul Newman in The Color of Money (1986), he engaged in much conversation with the politically active actor. The resulting consciousness raising changed him from an actor who ignored the jingoistic tone of Top Gun (1986) to a performer who chose a film with a strong anti-war tone, Born on the Fourth of July (1989), to counter his contribution to the former film.
Career & Awards (6)
- #060
In 2022, The New York Times called Cruise "Hollywood's Last Real Movie Star", a reference to him being one of the only major film actors whose projects have debuted exclusively in theaters, and he has never acted for television or streaming media.
- #061
He is reportedly a huge fan of The Simpsons (1989). However, he has twice turned down guest roles: once for the part of "Tom", which was written specifically for him, in Brother from the Same Planet (1993) (eventually voiced by regular Phil Hartman), and the other alongside his then-wife Nicole Kidman in When You Dish Upon a Star (1998) (eventually voiced by then-couple Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger).
- #062
Channel 4's "Ultimate Film" show states that, in terms of British cinema audience rather than revenue, Cruise's most successful film in the United Kingdom was Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).
- #063
He took up acting after losing his place on a high school wrestling team due to a knee injury.
- #064
Renée Zellweger thanked him in her Oscar acceptance speech when she won 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role' for Cold Mountain (2003).
- #065
Tom Cruise has worked with eight directors who won the Academy Award for Best Director: Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Barry Levinson, Oliver Stone, Ron Howard, Sydney Pollack, Steven Spielberg and Robert Redford.
Life & Family (14)
- #066
Tom visited actress Brooke Shields at her home and personally apologized to her for criticizing her in 2005 about her use of prescription medication to overcome her postpartum depression. Touched by the gesture, Brooke accepted his apology.
- #067
He will not allow his likeness to be used in video games or for action figures.
- #068
He still owns a P-51D Mustang, but changed the nose art from "Montana Miss" to "Kiss Me Kate". The airplane is very rarely spotted out of its hangar.
- #069
His acting idol is Paul Newman. Much to Cruise's delight, they became good friends while working on The Color of Money (1986). Newman got him into racing, and Cruise ultimately raced on his team.
- #070
He stopped to help a hit-and-run victim and paid her hospital bills. The victim was aspiring Brazilian actress Heloisa Vinhas (1996).
- #071
While attending the London premiere of War of the Worlds (2005), he was squirted in the face with water during a prank interview. His reaction on camera was stern but not livid. The culprit was charged with assault.
- #072
He was introduced to Scientology by his first wife Mimi Rogers, who left the church shortly after their divorce.
- #073
He did not stay for the remainder of the 2002 Academy Awards after opening them because it was his turn to look after his and ex-wife Nicole Kidman's children. He reportedly left the Kodak Theatre by a back door after opening proceedings and dashed home to watch the rest of the event on television with his kids Connor and Isabella.
- #074
At age 14, he enrolled in a seminary to become a priest. He dropped out after one year.
- #075
As a child, he was used as kissing practice by his sister Lee Anne's friends.
- #076
In 1974, when Cruise was 12, his parents divorced.
- #077
Tom Cruise described his father as a "merchant of chaos", a "bully" and a "coward" who beat his children.
- #078
Tom Cruise said his father would lull people into feeling safe before turning on them, which Cruise called a great lesson in his life.
- #079
On April 3, 2013, Tom was presented with a Certificate of Irish Heritage by the Irish government in Dublin, Ireland. His Irish roots go back 840 years, to the arrival in Ireland of the Norman lord Strongbow. The knights in Tom's family were among the first Anglo-Norman wave that invaded Ireland between 1169 and 1176. Because their family lands belonged directly to the King, they were royal tenants, and by the early 1200s the de Cruise family were Barons in Ireland. Sir Maurice Cruys, a knight who died in 1216, is a direct ancestor of Tom's family. One of the lands they held was called Hollywood in North County Dublin. They also had lands in Meath; the civil parish of Cruicetown (in the Nobber district) was named after them.
Related pages
- Seven Pounds — Tom Cruise comes up in the facts on that page
- The Last Samurai — Tom Cruise comes up in the facts on that page
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
Sources for the entries on this page
- Wikipedia Tom Cruise — Wikipedia
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