Tom Cruise: the actor who’s taken on daring stunts, produced unforgettable movies, and carved out a legendary status in Hollywood.
But beyond his silver screen persona lies a wealth of intriguing stories and surprises that often escape the spotlight. From his early struggles to his meteoric rise and his passion for pushing the boundaries of action, Cruise’s journey is as gripping as the characters he portrays.
Discover 10 lesser-known facts about Tom Cruise that unveil the man behind the superstar—the passions, quirks, and achievements that make him one of cinema’s most enduring icons.
#1 Tom Cruise started doing stunts early on.
Born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, as Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, Tom Cruise showed an early inclination towards physical challenges and excitement. Reflecting back in 2022, the actor shared a childhood memory when, around the age of 4, he decided to leap off the roof of his family home, using a sheet as a makeshift parachute.
Recalling the moment, Cruise humorously recounted, “It’s that moment when you jump off the roof and you go, ‘This is not gonna work.’”
He vividly remembered the impact: “I hit the ground so hard. Luckily, it was wet … And I saw stars in the daytime for the first time, and I remember looking up, going, ‘This is very interesting.’”
This anecdote highlights Cruise’s adventurous spirit and fearlessness, traits that would later shape his career as an actor known for performing his own daring stunts on screen.
#2 He was a pretty good high school wrestler.
Cruise’s parents, Mary and Tom Senior, separated in 1976 when he was just 14 years old. Later, Cruise would reveal allegations of abuse by his father. The family relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, and spent time in Cincinnati, Ohio, where a brief contemplation of becoming a Franciscan priest crossed his mind.
Ultimately, they settled in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. It was there that Cruise, in his junior and senior years, joined the varsity high school wrestling team, which achieved a commendable 14-4-1 record during the 1979-1980 season.
His involvement in wrestling indirectly steered him towards acting. A leg injury halted his wrestling pursuits, prompting him to explore acting instead. This exploration led him to audition for a role in a school production of “Guys and Dolls”.
In reflecting on this transition in 1983, Cruise recalled, “All of a sudden, I felt like I knew what I was doing. And I got all this attention, and it just felt right. So I came to New York. I wanted to try [acting].”
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Cruise’s journey into the world of acting.
#3 Cruise auditioned for Risky Business with a chipped tooth.
In 1981, Cruise made his initial marks in Hollywood with a small role in “Endless Love” and portrayed a military cadet in “Taps”. Two years later, he ventured into the teen comedy “Losin’ It” and the football drama “All the Right Moves. Around the same time, Cruise also appeared as a streetwise youth in “The Outsiders”. Interestingly, it was during the filming of “The Outsiders” that he auditioned for “Risky Business”.
Despite his gritty appearance from the previous role, Cruise managed to secure the part of a preppy teenager who throws caution to the wind when left home alone.
Reflecting on the audition in 1983, Cruise recalled, “I told them, ‘I can’t afford to tamper with my Outsiders character because I have to work tonight.’ ‘I can’t take a shower, even.’ I was all greasy, had a chipped tooth and a tattoo, and an Okie drawl. And they cast me for this clean-cut boy.”
“Risky Business” catapulted Cruise into stardom, solidifying his reputation as a leading actor. His association with Ray-Ban sunglasses from the film became iconic, later echoing in his memorable role in 1986’s “Top Gun.
#4 Cruise could have been in The Shawshank Redemption.
Tom Cruise’s career is peppered with a myriad of films he’s been approached for or considered, with an even longer list of projects he’s turned down. Notably, he passed on roles in movies like “Footloose”, “Edward Scissorhands“, and “The Shawshank Redemption.
Director and writer Frank Darabont revealed that producer Rob Reiner wanted to acquire the script for “The Shawshank Redemption” to direct himself, envisioning Cruise in the lead role of Andy Dufresne, which Darabont adapted from Stephen King‘s novella.
While tempted by the offer, Darabont ultimately chose to helm the film himself, casting Tim Robbins as Dufresne. This decision marked a pivotal moment in cinematic history, as “The Shawshank Redemption” went on to become a beloved classic and earned critical acclaim despite its initial box office reception.
#5 He has a cousin who is also an actor.
Acting runs in Tom Cruise’s family, extending beyond just him. His cousin, William Mapother, also ventured into the industry and has even worked alongside Cruise on several film sets.
Starting out as a production assistant, Mapother eventually transitioned into acting, landing roles in movies like “Magnolia” (1999) and “Minority Report” (2002). In the latter, he portrayed a desk clerk who encounters Cruise’s troubled protagonist in a tense scene.
Mapother gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Ethan Rom, a character with ambiguous motives, on ABC‘s popular drama series “Lost. His journey from behind the scenes to becoming a recognizable face in film and television highlights the family’s shared passion for storytelling and performance.
#6 Cruise was involved in one of the longest film shoots of all time.
Tom Cruise and his then-wife Nicole Kidman agreed to star in Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 film “Eyes Wide Shut”, a deep exploration of the complexities within a young couple’s marriage as they navigate temptations from outside their relationship.
Known for his meticulous approach, Kubrick, celebrated for “2001: A Space Odyssey”, extended the film’s production to an unprecedented 15 months, well beyond the typical four- to six-month shoots of most movies. This extraordinary duration earned “Eyes Wide Shut” a place in the Guinness World Records as the longest continuous production in cinema history, a testament to Kubrick’s commitment to his craft.
Despite receiving a mixed reception, the film proved significant for Cruise. It was during the filming that he crossed paths with director Paul Thomas Anderson, who later cast Cruise as a charismatic motivational speaker in 1999’s “Magnolia.
This role marked a career highlight, earning Cruise his third Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actor. Previously, he had received nominations for “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Jerry Maguire” (1996), though an Oscar win has remained elusive thus far.
#7 Cruise rescued multiple people from maritime disaster.
In 1996, Tom Cruise and his then-wife Nicole Kidman had a dramatic encounter off the coast of Capri, Italy. While aboard their yacht, they came across a family adrift in a lifeboat after their own yacht had caught fire. Cruise and Kidman provided refuge on their vessel until the Coast Guard arrived to assist.
A decade earlier, during the filming of “Top Gun”, Cruise found himself in need of rescue. He was pulled underwater by parachute lines while filming a scene. United Press International reported that Navy swim school instructors swiftly intervened to rescue him from the water.
These incidents highlight both Cruise’s readiness to lend aid when needed and the risks inherent in his adventurous film roles.
#8 Cruise gifts colleagues with hundreds of holiday cakes.
Working with Tom Cruise comes with an unexpected annual tradition: receiving a white chocolate coconut Bundt cake from Doan’s Bakery in Los Angeles every holiday season, possibly for the rest of your life.
Cruise arranges for these cakes to be sent to a select list of recipients, which includes former co-stars. Interestingly, despite this gesture, former talk show host James Corden revealed that Cruise himself has never actually tasted the cake.
There are other intriguing tales surrounding Cruise and the infamous cake. One story involves a “cake-off” incident during a period when Cruise’s then-wife Katie Holmes and Diane Keaton were working together on a film in 2008. Apparently, the cake from Doan’s Bakery was a favorite of Keaton’s, adding another layer to the cake’s mysterious allure in Hollywood circles.
#9 He wanted to be a priest
Despite his upbringing in a devout Catholic household, Tom Cruise initially had aspirations of becoming a priest during his childhood. He pursued this path by attending a Franciscan seminary in Cincinnati on a scholarship.
However, the allure of Hollywood eventually proved irresistible. In his early twenties, Cruise began mingling with movie stars and quickly entered into marriage with actress Mimi Rogers at the age of 24. It was around this time, in 1990, that Cruise publicly distanced himself from his Catholic upbringing and beliefs.
His journey reflects a significant shift from religious devotion to a life deeply entrenched in the glamour and opportunities of the entertainment industry.
#10 He was the visual basis for Aladdin
It’s a fascinating piece of movie trivia that might seem obvious in hindsight, but it’s still quite mind-blowing. When Disney animated the 1992 feature film ‘Aladdin’, they actually modeled the face of their young hero on none other than Tom Cruise.
At the time, Cruise was a major box office draw with hits like ‘Days Of Thunder’ and ‘A Few Good Men’. Looking back at Aladdin‘s toothy grin, it’s now strikingly clear that Cruise served as the inspiration for the character’s design—a detail that adds an extra layer of charm and recognition to the beloved animated classic.
