Date of Birth
3 July 1962, Syracuse, New York, USA
Birth Name
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)
Mini Biography
In 1976, if you had told 14 year old Franciscan seminary student Thomas Cruise Mapother IV that one day in the not too distant future he would be considered one of the top 100 movie stars of all time, he would have probably grinned and told you that his ambition was to become a priest. Nonetheless, this sensitive, deeply religious youngster who was born in 1962 in Syracuse, New York, was destined to become Tom Cruise, one of the highest paid and most sought after actors in screen history. The only son (among four children) of nomadic parents young Tom spent his boyhood eternally on the move and by the time he was 14 he had attended 15 different schools in the US and Canada. He finally settled in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his mother and her new husband. While in high school, he developed an interest in acting and abandoned his plans of becoming a priest, dropped out of school, and at age 18 headed for New York and a possible acting career. The next 15 years of his life are the stuff of legends. He made his film debut with a small part in Endless Love (1981) and from the outset exhibited an undeniable box office appeal to both male and female audiences.
Though below average height and not particularly handsome in the traditional sense, within 5 years Tom Cruise was starring in some of the top grossing films of the 1980s including Top Gun (1986); The Color of Money (1986), Rain Man (1988) and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). By the 1990s he was one of the highest paid actors in the world earning an average 15 million dollars a picture in such blockbuster hits as Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), Mission: Impossible (1996) and Jerry Maguire (1996) - for which he received an Academy Award Nomination for best actor. In 1990 he renounced his devout Catholic beliefs and embraced The Church Of Scientology claiming that Scientology teachings had cured him of the dyslexia that had plagued him all of his life. A kind and thoughful man well known for his compassion and generosity, Tom Cruise is one of the best liked members of the movie community. He was married to actress Nicole Kidman until 2001. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV has indeed come a long way from the lonely wanderings of his youth.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Tom McDonough
Spouse
Katie Holmes (18 November 2006 - present) 1 child
Nicole Kidman (24 December 1990 - 8 August 2001) (divorced) 2 (adopted) children
Mimi Rogers (9 May 1987 - 4 February 1990) (divorced)
Trivia
Cousin of actor William Mapother and Amy Mapother.
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#41) (1995).
Ranked #3 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list (October 1997).
Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world (1997).
Voted Best Dressed Male Movie Star (1997).
Stopped to help a hit and run victim and paid her hospital bills. The victim was aspiring Brazilian actress Heloisa Vinhas (1996).
Caused a stir in the medical community when he claimed, in an interview, that Scientology cured him of his dyslexia (1992).
While he was working with Paul Newman in the The Color of Money (1986), he engaged in much conversation with the politically active actor. The resulting conscious 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.
Has three sisters: Marian, Lee Anne De Vette and Cass. Lee Anne became his publicist in 2004 after he left Pat Kingsley.
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world (1991).
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world (1990).
Graduated from Glen Ridge High School in New Jersey (June 1980).
At age 14, he enrolled in a seminary to become a priest. He dropped out after one year.
He took up acting after losing his place on a high school wrestling team due to a knee injury.
He and Nicole Kidman adopted two children, Isabella and Connor.
Is right handed when writing, but does most things left handed.
Mission: Impossible (1996) gave him a total of $70 million with percentage of gross included.
Enjoys skydiving, scuba diving, and piloting his Pitts Special S-2B stunt plane
Recently restored an older home in the township of Biltmore Forest, a town within the city limits of Asheville, North Carolina (2000).
Chosen "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine (1990).
Received the John Huston Award for Artists Rights in 1998.
Was considered for the lead in The Matrix (1999).
Cruise earned roughly $75 million for Mission: Impossible II (2000). He did this by turning down any upfront salary, for instead taking a back-end deal that landed him 30% of the film's gross for both his producing and acting duties.
Attended Packanack School in Wayne, New Jersey from first through third grade.
Filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Michael Davis, a man who allegedly offered to sell videotapes of himself having sex with the actor. The lawsuit accuses Davis of making the statements "in order to hurt the plaintiff and gain widespread publicity for himself." (May 2001).
Lived together with Vanilla Sky (2001) co-star Penélope Cruz from 2001 to 2004.
His adopted son Conor Antony was born on 17 January 1995.
His adopted daughter Isabella Jane was born on 22 December 1992.
Instead of his affair with Penélope Cruz damaging both their careers, it only boosted it.
Suffers from dyslexia.
Earned his pilot's license in Toronto, Canada in 1994.
He didn't 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 TV with his adopted kids Conor and Isabella.
For 1988, he became the first actor to have the distinction of starring in both the year's Oscar winner for Best Picture, Rain Man (1988) and the year's Razzie "winner" for Worst Picture, Cocktail (1988).
Ranked #14 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #16 in 2002.
Ranked #4 in Star TV's Top 10 Box Office Stars of the 1990s (2003)
Born to Thomas Mapother III (15 October 1934 - January 1984), an electrical engineer, and his wife Mary Lee Pfeiffer, a special education teacher.
Has two dogs called Basil and Murray and a cat called Harvey.
First actor in history to star in five consecutive films that grossed $100 million in the USA: A Few Good Men (1992), The Firm (1993), Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), Mission: Impossible (1996), Jerry Maguire (1996).
Briefly attended St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky and was a paperboy for the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Wore braces on his flashy, million-dollar smile in 2002 to correct a misaligned bite.
Announced that his relationship with Penélope Cruz had ended in January 2004. [March 2004]
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).
Will not allow his likeness to be used in video games or for action figures.
While filming Days of Thunder (1990) at Daytona International Speedway, he enjoyed playing football with the truck drivers. He was the receiver - he loved going deep to catch a pass.
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.
He was voted the 31st Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly.
Lives with his sister Cass and her three children in Los Angeles (September 2004).
Spoke at his niece's, Lee Anne De Vette's daughter, graduation from the Delphian School.
Ranked #18 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties
Lost out to actor Peter Barton for the lead role in "The Powers of Matthew Star" (1982).
Renée Zellweger thanked him in her Oscar acceptance speech when she won 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role' for Cold Mountain (2003).
Attended the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City.
Channel 4's 'Ultimate Film' show states that, in terms of UK cinema audience rather than revenue, Cruise's most successful film in the UK was Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).
While a student at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, he studied one of his courses under legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner.
Studied drama at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse, in conjunction with the Actors Studio, New School University, New York.
Was named the #1 top money-making star at the box office in Quigley Publications annual poll of movie exhibitors a record seven times between 1986 and 2005. Being crowned the top box office champ in 2005 put Cruise one title ahead of Tom Hanks, who has been named #1 at the B.O. six times. Bing Crosby and Burt Reynolds both were named #1 for five consecutive years, and Clint Eastwood also has been #1 five times, but non-consecutively.
He has been named to the Top 10 Poll of Money-Making Stars 18 times, as ranked by Quigley Publications' annual poll of movie exhibitors. With his 18th appearance on the B.O. list, he moved out of a tie for 4th place tie with Paul Newman (17 appearances on the list) into a tie for #3 with Gary Cooper. John Wayne is #1 on the all-time list, with 25 appearances in the Top 10, followed by Clint Eastwood with 21 appearances on the list. Gary Cooper rounds out the top three. Due to his young age and continued popularity, it is conceivable that within 10 years, he will exceed Wayne as the #1 box office champ ever.
Has donated to charities such as The Ashley Flint Fund, The Tsunami Relief Fund, Themoms.biz Diabetes Fund, Hillary Rodham Clinton's Campaign and The Church of Scientology.
Premiere Magazine ranked him as the #3 Greatest Movie Star of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).
Studied with renowned acting coach Phil Gushee at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, New York.
His character Lt. Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men (1992) was based on real life U.S. Navy JAG Corp Donald Marcari, who now works as an attorney with Marcari, Russotto, and Spencer P.C. in Cheaspeake, Virginia.
The name Mapother is pronounced like "MAY bother", only with a P.
Time magazine once described him as a "baby-faced Christopher Reeve".
Ranked #14 on Premiere's 2005 Power 50 List. He is the highest ranked actor on the list.
Engaged to actress Katie Holmes (17 June 2005).
Proposed to Katie Holmes at the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Was the original choice for the role of Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).
Emilio Estevez served as best man at his wedding to Mimi Rogers.
Celebrated his 43rd birthday atop the holiday box office with War of the Worlds (2005).
His May 2005 appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986) was named the #1 "Celebrity Meltdown Ever" by TV Guide Magazine.
Owns and operates "Montana Miss" a WWII P-51 Mustang.
He and his former girlfriend Penélope Cruz appeared together in Vanilla Sky (2001)
He and ex-wife Nicole Kidman made 3 movies together: Days of Thunder (1990), Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and Far and Away (1992). They met on the set of Days of Thunder (1990)
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.
He was in two different movies featuring the song "Iko Iko" on its soundtrack - Rain Man (1988) by The Belle Stars and Mission: Impossible II (2000) by Zap Mama.
He is a big fan of British singer Joss Stone.
Has played a soldier in six different movies. Taps (1981), Top Gun (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), A Few Good Men (1992), The Last Samurai (2003) and Valkyrie (2008).
Has worked with an impressive list of master filmmakers: Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Francis Ford Coppola, Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg.
Is a vegetarian.
Parents divorced when he was 12.
Tom and Katie Holmes became the parents of Suri Cruise, who was born on April 18, 2006 in Los Angeles. "Suri" weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was 20 inches.
In the past twenty years since his first hundred million dollar grosser (Top Gun (1986)), only six of his films have failed to reach that status.
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 part went to Will Smith.
Wears a mask on six different movies. In all of the three "Mission: Impossible" movies and in Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Vanilla Sky (2001) and Minority Report (2002), where the injection that makes his face disfigured can be considered as a futuristic mask.
Topped Forbes magazine's "100 Top Celebrities" list in 2006 ahead of The Rolling Stones and Oprah Winfrey (June 2006).
Ranked #14 on Premiere's 2006 "Power 50" list. Had ranked #14 in 2005 as well. He is the highest-ranked actor on the list.
Stepfather of his children Isabella and Connor is Keith Urban
Is talked about in the song "Though the Wire" by Kanye West.
Was ranked # 1 in Forbes Celebrity 100 Who Made Bank (2006).
On August 22, 2006, Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone announced through the "Wall Street Journal" that Viacom' Paramount subsidiary was terminating its development dealt 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 B.O. 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 7th 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 his 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.
In September of 2006, he 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 post partum depression. Touched by the gesture, Brooke accepted his apology.
He once shared a record with Tom Hanks as the actor to star in the most consecutive $100 million-grossing movies (7). Both were surpassed by Will Smith who reached eight in 2008.
Resurrected United Artists together with MGM executives to produce and star in some of the company's projects (November 2006).
The years of birth of his wives are 11 years apart: Mimi Rogers was born in 1956, Nicole Kidman in 1967 and Katie Holmes in 1978.
Although they officialized their marriage in Los Angeles prior, he and Katie Holmes celebrated their wedding in the Odescalchi castle in Bracciano, Italy. The ceremony was performed by a Scientology minister in front of more than 150 relatives and friends including Hollywood superstars such as Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Russell Crowe, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Richard Gere, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Kirstie Alley. Italian pop opera purveyor Andrea Bocelli serenaded the newlyweds (18 November 2006).
He and Katie Holmes both wore Armani at their wedding.
He and Katie Holmes honeymooned in the Maldives.
Best Man at his wedding to Katie Holmes was his best friend David Miscavige.
Once lived in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada & attended the same high school as Bryan Adams.
Donated to Hillary Rodham Clinton's electoral campaign for the U.S. Senate together with his then wife Nicole Kidman (2000).
Considered for the role, in Crimson Tide (1995), that went to Denzel Washington.
Mentioned in the song 'High School Never Ends' by 'Bowling For Soup'.
Was offered for the lead of Reign Over Me (2007).
According to Forbes, for each dollar he got paid, Cruise's movies averaged $11 of gross income (December 2007).
Attended St. Raphael The Archangel Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky.
Although the shooting of Valkyrie (2008) caused controversy in Germany due to his Scientology membership, he was awarded at the Bambi Awards for "Courage", a category, newly created by the organizers to honor him for "tackling a story that had never been covered by Hollywood before". The decision was also heavily criticized by journalists and politicians (2 December 2007).
The Japan Memorial Day Association declared 10 October 2006 "Tom Cruise Day".
Due to his friendship to David Beckham, he became a supporter of Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.
When attending a Franciscan seminary in Cincinatti, he aspired to become a priest.
Has German and English ancestry from his father's as well as German and Irish ancestry from his mother's family.
Was introduced to Scientology by his ex-wife Mimi Rogers.
In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year to be $31 million.
Mentioned in song "Faudrait leur dire" by French rap band "3eme oeil".
Listed at Number 7 on "The Top 10 Box Office Moneymakers of 2007".
Is the only actor to ever work with all of the following directors; Oliver Stone in Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Martin Scorsese in The Color of Money (1986), Stanley Kubrick in Eyes Wide Shut (1999), and Steven Spielberg in Minority Report (2002).
Huge fan of professional wrestling.
Has married two actresses who played Batman's love interest. Nicole Kidman from Batman Forever (1995) and Katie Holmes from Batman Begins (2005).
Is reportedly a huge fan of The Simpsons. However, he has twice turned down guest roles; once for the part of "Tom," which was written specifically for him, in the episode "Brother From The Same Planet" (eventually voiced by regular Phil Hartman) and the other alongside his then-wife Nicole Kidman in the episode "When You Dish Upon A Star" (eventually voiced by then-couple Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger).
Considered for the role, in End of Days (1999), that went to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Was going to play as Tom Warshaw in House of D (2004) and opted to do War of the Worlds (2005) instead.
In 1974, when Cruise was 11, his parents divorced.
He is of German, English and Welsh descent.
Personal 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.
[to Jay Leno regarding his topless Vanity Fair cover shoot] I don't drink but I had a beer that night and they only did one setup like that. I'm a cheap date. What can I say?
[about Eyes Wide Shut (1999)] We knew from the beginning the level of commitment needed. We felt honored to work with Stanley Kubrick. We were going to do what it took to do this picture, whatever time, because I felt - and Nic [Nicole Kidman] did, too - that this was going to be a really special time for us. We knew it would be difficult. But I would have absolutely kicked myself if I hadn't done this.
I have cooked turkeys in my day but when Mom's around I let her do it.
I was 18 when I saw Akira Kurosawa's Shichinin no samurai (1954). After about 30 seconds, I realized that this was not just a cultural thing, it was universal. Years later, I read Bushido. It talked about many things that I strive for in my own life: loyalty, compassion, responsibility, the idea of looking back on your life and taking responsibility for everything you've ever done. I'm fascinated by the samurai and the samurai code - it's one of the main reasons I wanted to make The Last Samurai (2003).
Awards are wonderful. I've been nominated many times and I've won many awards. But my journey is not towards that. If it happens it will be a blast. If it doesn't, it's still been a blast.
I believe in life. I know that life comes in at your heart and it doesn't matter if you're an actor, a filmmaker or a gentleman on the street, it comes at you. What Scientology gives me is the tools to deal with that, to better enjoy my life and to be able to contribute more.
[on his role as the hit man in Collateral (2004)] I've never played a character like this before. Vincent interested me because he is such an anti-social personality, bringing destruction and chaos with him wherever he goes. He's a force of nature.
I remember getting through high school and thinking, "Boy, I'm glad I got that behind me!" Then, when I was 19, I got Risky Business (1983), and I realized, "Ah, so this is life - it's a little bigger than I thought!"
As a young actor, people were trying to define who I was before I really knew that for myself. But I still remember thinking, "This is what I love doing, and I hope I'm going to be able to do it forever."
I've had a very interesting life. There are ways of handling the complexities. I'm willing to take on responsibilities as a father, as a producer, as an actor - and I enjoy that. I've always been changing and evolving and growing. There's no pinnacle of power where you can sit back and rest.
Because I grew up in so many different places, I was used to rumors [about me]. You know, I didn't have the right shoes, I didn't have the right clothes. I even had the wrong accent.
Nic [Nicole Kidman] and I don't talk publicly about custody but, definitely, both of us share the kids back and forth. They're amazing kids.
I would live with all of my sisters if I could. We've always been very close, my sisters and me.
The important thing with a child is that you love them, you protect them and you help them to grow and find out who they are. And as a parent, it's my responsibility to help them to become independent and get all the knowledge and a broad view of the world and life. I know that Nic [Nicole Kidman] absolutely agrees with that. And that's what's important: being there.
I'd like to be with a woman who goes [he switches into a woman's voice], "I've reviewed your schedule, and I'm going to set up this motorcycle trip for you, because you've been working really hard. And I'm going to go with you. We're going to go riding together. And I've already been working on it for a couple days so it can be special."
I don't really keep counsel with others. I'm the kind of person who will think about something, and if I know it's right I'm not going to ask anybody. I don't go, "Boy, what do you think about this?" I've made every decision for myself - in my career, in my life.
SAT (exam) scores have gone right down the toilet. The parents are blaming the teachers, the teachers are blaming the parents and the psychs are putting everyone on drugs.
[on the relationship with Katie Holmes, about other people thinking it's a publicity stunt] It's amusing at first. It's funny. But then you sit back and realize how sad it is that there are people who can't even imagine feeling like this. But my friends are happy for me. The people who know me are happy. My mom is happy. My family is happy.
I've never agreed with psychiatry, ever. Before I was a Scientologist, I never agreed with psychiatry. Here's the problem. You don't know the history of psychiatry. I do.
I'm passionate about learning. I'm passionate about life.
[on the invasion of Iraq] Personally, I don't have all the information President [George W. Bush] has. But I believe [Saddam Hussein] has committed many crimes against humanity and his own people.
Every single time I start to do a picture, without fail, I feel as if I don't know what I'm doing.
(On his father) He was a bully and a coward. He was the kind of person where, if something goes wrong, they kick you. It was a great lesson in my life - how he'd lull you in, make you feel safe and then, bang! For me, it was like, 'There's something wrong with this guy. Don't trust him. Be careful around him.' There's that anxiety.
[On Born on the Fourth of July (1989)] When I made that film people said, 'This is going to ruin your career. Why are you doing this after you did Top Gun. Why not just do Top Gun 2?'. I wanted to challenge myself.
Salary
War of the Worlds (2005) (20% profit participation)
The Last Samurai (2003) $25,000,000 + % of profits
Minority Report (2002) $25,000,000+
Vanilla Sky (2001) $20,000,000 + 30% of Profits
Mission: Impossible II (2000) $75,000,000 (gross participation)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) $20,000,000
Jerry Maguire (1996) $20,000,000 against 15%
Mission: Impossible (1996) $70,000,000 (gross participation)
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) $15,000,000
A Few Good Men (1992) $12,500,000
Far and Away (1992) $13,000,000
Days of Thunder (1990) $7,000,000
Rain Man (1988) $3,000,000+% of gross
Cocktail (1988) $3,000,000
Top Gun (1986) $2,000,000
Legend (1985) $500,000
Risky Business (1983) $75,000
Taps (1981) $50,000
Where Are They Now
(January 2003) In New Zealand filming The Last Samurai (2003).
(December 2004) Filming Paramount's War of the Worlds (2005), due out Summer 2005.
(August 2005) Filming Mission: Impossible III (2006) in Los Angeles, USA.
(November 2005) Filming Mission: Impossible III (2006) in Shanghai, China.
(January 2008) Release of the book, "Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography" by Andrew Morton.
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