Who is Tom Cruise? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Girlfriend: Nazanin Boniadi (Ex), Penélope Cruz (Ex)

Also Known As: Thomas Cruise Mapother IV

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Katie Holmes, Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz, Katie Holmes (m. 2006; div. 2012), Mimi Rogers (m. 1987; div. 1990), Nicole Kidman (m. 1990; div. 2001)

father: Thomas Mapother III

mother: Mary Lee Pfeiffer

siblings: Cass Mapother, Lee Ann Mapother, Marian Mapother

children: Connor Cruise, Isabella Jane Cruise, Suri Cruise

Born Country: United States

Actors T V & Movie Producers

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Males

Ancestry: German American, British American, Irish American

Personality: ISTP

U.S. State: New Yorkers

City: Syracuse, New York

Founder/Co-Founder: New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, Cruise/Wagner Productions

Recommended For You

1

What are some of Tom Cruise's most famous movies?

Some of Tom Cruise's most famous movies include "Top Gun," "Mission: Impossible," "Jerry Maguire," "Rain Man," and "Edge of Tomorrow."
2

Has Tom Cruise performed his own stunts in movies?

Yes, Tom Cruise is known for performing many of his own stunts in movies, including the high-flying action sequences in the "Mission: Impossible" series.
3

What is Tom Cruise's involvement with the Church of Scientology?

Tom Cruise is a prominent member of the Church of Scientology and has spoken publicly about his beliefs in the organization.
4

Has Tom Cruise ever won an Academy Award for his acting?

Despite being nominated three times, Tom Cruise has not won an Academy Award for his acting performances.
5

How does Tom Cruise maintain his youthful appearance?

Tom Cruise reportedly follows a strict fitness regimen and diet to stay in shape, along with using various skincare treatments and procedures to maintain his youthful appearance.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, as the son of Mary Lee and Thomas Cruise Mapother III. His father was an electrical engineer and his mother worked as a special education teacher. He has three sisters.

He had a difficult childhood and grew up in near-poverty. His father was an abusive man who often used to beat young Tom at the slightest pretext.

The family moved to Canada when his father got a job with the Canadian Armed Forces. However, his parents broke up within a few years and Tom Cruise returned to the U.S. with his mother and sisters.

He became involved in drama as a school student and was encouraged by his teachers who sensed that the boy was naturally gifted with acting abilities. As a teenager he briefly attended a Franciscan seminary in Cincinnati on a church scholarship and aspired to become a Catholic priest.

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Career

During his late teens he gave up the idea of becoming a priest and decided to try his hand at an acting career. He moved to New York and was successful in bagging a small role in the 1981 film ‘Endless Love’ as a 19 year old.

After playing small roles in some more films, he portrayed Joel Goodson in the romantic comedy ‘Risky Business’ in 1983. The film became a big hit, and Tom Cruise, with his chocolate-boy good looks became the heart-throb of millions of American girls.

In 1986, he appeared in the action drama film ‘Top Gun’ in which he played Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young naval aviator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. This movie too became a huge success, cementing his reputation as a superstar.

His streak of success continued over the late 1980s with films like ‘The Color of Money’ (1986), ‘Cocktail’ (1988), ‘Rain Man’ (1988), and ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ (1989).

In the early 1990s, he shared the screen often with actress Nicole Kidman who he had married in 1990. The real-life couple co-starred as lovers in films like ‘Days of Thunder’ (1990) and ‘Far and Away’ (1992).

He achieved unprecedented success in 1996 when he played the role of Ethan Hunt in the action spy film ‘Mission: Impossible’. The plot follows agent Hunt and his mission to uncover the mole who has framed him for the murders of his entire team. The film was a big box office success and spawned several sequels.

He continued to be a highly bankable and popular star throughout the late 1990s and 2000s with films like ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999), ‘Vanilla Sky’ (2001), ‘Minority Report’ (2002), ‘The Last Samurai’ (2003), ‘Collateral’ (2004), ‘War of the Worlds’ (2005), and ‘Lions for Lambs’ (2007). Some of his more recent films are ‘Rock of Ages’ (2012), ‘Jack Reacher’ (2012), ‘Oblivion’ (2013), and ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014).

In 2015, Tom Cruise starred in the fifth installment of the Mission: Impossible series, 'Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation'. In 2018, he reprised the role in the sixth film of the franchise, 'Mission: Impossible – Fallout'.

In 2017, he starred in the horror movie 'The Mummy'. The film was a reboot of the Boris Karloff's 1932 movie of the same name.

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Major Works

The war drama film ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ (1989) is one of his best known movies. His portrayal of Ron Kovic in the movie earned Cruise an Academy Award nomination. The film was both, a critical and commercial success.

Tom Cruise is most famous for playing secret agent Ethan Hunt in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ films, a series of action spy thriller film based on the television series of the same name. The series is the 17th-highest-grossing film series of all time with over $2 billion worth of worldwide gross, and has helped maintain Cruise’s superstar status over the years.

Awards & Achievements

Tom Cruise is the recipient of three Golden Globe awards, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama in 1990 for ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical in 1997 for ‘Jerry Maguire’.

He received the Excellence in Mentoring Award from the National Mentoring Partnership in 2003 for his work with the organization.

He received the David di Donatello Awards’ ‘Special David’ in 2005.

In 2011, Cruise was awarded a humanitarian award from the Simon Wiesenthal Centre and Museum of Tolerance for his work as a dedicated philanthropist.

Philanthropic Works

Tom Cruise, who overcame dyslexia as a youngster, became a founding Board Member for the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project, helping students learn how to read and succeed.

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He has supported many charitable organizations including Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Friars Foundation, H.E.L.P., and Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation.

Family & Personal Life

Tom Cruise married actress Mimi Rogers in May 1987. Rogers introduced Cruise to Scientology and he went on to become an outspoken advocate for the Church of Scientology. Their marriage, however, ended in February 1990.

In December 1990, he got married to actress Nicole Kidman. The couple adopted two children, but this marriage too ended in divorce.

On November 18, 2006, he got married for the third time to Katie Holmes. They have a daughter together. After five and half years of marriage, Holmes, on June 29, 2012, filed for divorce from Cruise.

Apart from his three marriages, he was in a relationship with Spanish actress Penelope Cruz and British-Iranian actress Nazanin Boniadi.

Facts About Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is known for performing his own stunts in many of his films, showcasing his dedication to his craft and fearlessness.

He is a dedicated pilot and owns several aircraft, including a P-51 Mustang fighter plane.

Tom Cruise is a skilled ballroom dancer and has shown off his moves in movies like "Risky Business" and "Top Gun."

He is a committed advocate for Scientology and has been involved with the religion for many years.

Tom Cruise is a passionate motorcyclist and has been spotted riding various motorcycles around Los Angeles.

2000	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture	Magnolia (1999)
1997	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical	Jerry Maguire (1996)
1990	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama	Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

2001	Best Male Performance	Mission: Impossible II (2000)
1997	Best Male Performance	Jerry Maguire (1996)

1994	Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture Actor	Winner
1990	Favorite Motion Picture Actor	Winner

Tom Cruise Biography

You wanted to know

What are some of Tom Cruise's most famous movies?

Has Tom Cruise performed his own stunts in movies?

What is Tom Cruise's involvement with the Church of Scientology?

Has Tom Cruise ever won an Academy Award for his acting?

How does Tom Cruise maintain his youthful appearance?