View source for Tom Cruise

{{Short description|American actor and film producer (born 1962)}}
{{About|the American actor|other people named Tom Cruise|Tom Cruise (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Tom Cruise
| image              = Tom Cruise-2428.jpg
| alt                = Tom Cruise at the red carpet for ''[[Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning]]'' during the [[2025 Cannes Film Festival]]
| caption            = Cruise at the [[2025 Cannes Film Festival]]
| birth_name         = Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1962|07|03|mf=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Syracuse, New York]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{Flat list|
* Actor
* film producer
}}
| years_active       = 1981–present
| works              = [[Tom Cruise filmography|Filmography]]
| spouses            = {{Plain list|
* {{Marriage|[[Mimi Rogers]]|1987|1990|reason=divorced}}
* {{Marriage|[[Nicole Kidman]]|1990|2001|reason=divorced}}
* {{Marriage|[[Katie Holmes]]|2006|2012|reason=divorced}}
}}
| children           = 3
| relatives          = [[William Mapother]] (cousin)
| awards             = {{Plain list|
*[[Academy Honorary Award]]
* [[Honorary Palme d'Or]]
* 3 [[Golden Globe Awards]]
* [[Navy Distinguished Public Service Award]]
* [[British Film Institute Fellowship|BFI Fellowship]]
* [[List of awards and nominations received by Tom Cruise|Full list]]
}}
| website            = {{URL|tomcruise.com}}
| signature          = Tom Cruise signature.svg
}}

'''Thomas Cruise Mapother IV''' (born July 3, 1962) is an American actor and film producer. Regarded as a [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] icon,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a40100222/will-tom-cruise-be-the-last-real-movie-star/|title=Will Tom Cruise Be the Last Real Movie Star?|date=May 25, 2022|website=Esquire |access-date=November 18, 2023|archive-date=November 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118015509/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a40100222/will-tom-cruise-be-the-last-real-movie-star/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-gun-hollywood-icon-best-201004565.html|title=From 'Top Gun' to Hollywood icon: The best of Tom Cruise through the years|date=May 27, 2022|website=Yahoo! Finance|access-date=November 18, 2023|archive-date=November 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118015507/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-gun-hollywood-icon-best-201004565.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/hollywood/hollywood-icon-tom-cruise-swoops-down-abu-dhabi-for-mission-impossible--dead-reckoning-part-one-premiere-1.96638396|title=Hollywood icon Tom Cruise swoops down Abu Dhabi for 'Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning, Part One' premiere|first=Manjusha|last=Radhakrishnan|website=Gulf News|date=June 26, 2023|access-date=November 19, 2023|archive-date=August 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015036/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/hollywood/hollywood-icon-tom-cruise-swoops-down-abu-dhabi-for-mission-impossible--dead-reckoning-part-one-premiere-1.96638396|url-status=live}}</ref> he has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Tom Cruise|various accolades]], including an [[Honorary Palme d'Or]], an [[Academy Honorary Award]], and three [[Golden Globe Awards]], in addition to nominations for four competitive [[Academy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/awards/tom-cruise-oscars-honorary-dolly-parton-1236433594/ |title=Tom Cruise, Dolly Parton, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas to Be Presented Honorary Oscars |last=Davis |first=Clayton |date=June 17, 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=June 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lammers |first=Tim |title=Tom Cruise Among Honorary Oscar Recipients At Sunday's Academy Governors Awards |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2025/11/16/tom-cruise-among-honorary-oscar-recipients-at-sundays-academy-governors-awards/ |access-date=November 17, 2025 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> As of 2025, [[Tom Cruise filmography|his films]] have grossed more than {{US$|13.3 billion|long=no}} worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Cruise |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/person/540401-Tom-Cruise#tab=acting&all_leading_credits=od5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250630084826/https://www.the-numbers.com/person/540401-Tom-Cruise#tab=acting&all_leading_credits=od5 |archive-date=June 30, 2025 |access-date=June 30, 2025 |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]}}</ref> placing him among the [[List of highest-grossing actors|highest-grossing actors]] of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-star-records/worldwide/lifetime-acting/top-grossing-leading-stars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250615112517/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-star-records/worldwide/lifetime-acting/top-grossing-leading-stars |archive-date=June 15, 2025 |access-date=June 30, 2025 |website=The Numbers}}</ref> One of Hollywood's most [[bankable stars]], he is consistently one of the world's [[List of highest-paid film actors|highest-paid actors]].<ref name=Block>{{cite book|editor1-last=Block|editor1-first=Alex Ben|editor2-last=Wilson|editor2-first=Lucy Autrey|year=2010|title=George Lucas's Blockbusting: A Decade-By-Decade Survey of Timeless Movies Including Untold Secrets of Their Financial and Cultural Success|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|isbn=978-0-06-177889-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/georgelucassbloc00alex/page/616 616–617, 714–715, 824–825 & 832]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/georgelucassbloc00alex/page/616}}</ref>

Cruise began acting in the early 1980s and made his breakthrough with leading roles in ''[[Risky Business]]'' (1983) and ''[[Top Gun]]'' (1986), the latter earning him a reputation as a [[sex symbol]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/cocktail-tom-cruise/|title=Cocktail: Revisiting Tom Cruise as the world's greatest bartender|first=Chris|last=Bumbray|date=March 19, 2023|website=JoBlo}}</ref> Critical acclaim came with his roles in the dramas ''[[The Color of Money]]'' (1986), ''[[Rain Man]]'' (1988), and ''[[Born on the Fourth of July (film)|Born on the Fourth of July]]'' (1989). For his portrayal of [[Ron Kovic]] in the latter, he won a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Golden Globe Award]] and received a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]. As a leading Hollywood star in the 1990s, he starred in commercially successful films, including the drama ''[[A Few Good Men]]'' (1992), the thriller ''[[The Firm (1993 film)|The Firm]]'' (1993), the horror film ''[[Interview with the Vampire (film)|Interview with the Vampire]]'' (1994), and the sports comedy-drama ''[[Jerry Maguire]]'' (1996); for the latter, he won a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Golden Globe Award for Best Actor]] and his second nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Cruise's performance in the drama ''[[Magnolia (film)|Magnolia]]'' (1999) earned him another [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor&nbsp;– Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award]] and a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]].

Cruise subsequently established himself as a star of [[Science fiction film|science fiction]] and [[action film]]s, often performing his own risky stunts. He played fictional agent [[Ethan Hunt]] in eight [[Mission: Impossible (film series)|''Mission: Impossible'' films]], beginning with ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'' (1996) and ending with ''[[Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning]]'' (2025).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chuba|first=Kirsten|access-date=May 23, 2025|title=Tom Cruise Intends to Keep Making Movies Into His 100s: 'I Will Never Stop'|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 19, 2025 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tom-cruise-making-movies-into-100s-mission-impossible-1236220928/}}</ref> His other films in the genre include ''[[Vanilla Sky]]'' (2001), ''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]'' (2002), ''[[The Last Samurai]]'' (2003), ''[[Collateral (film)|Collateral]]'' (2004), ''[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]]'' (2005), ''[[Knight and Day]]'' (2010), ''[[Jack Reacher (film)|Jack Reacher]]'' (2012), ''[[Oblivion (2013 film)|Oblivion]]'' (2013), ''[[Edge of Tomorrow]]'' (2014), and ''[[Top Gun: Maverick]]'' (2022).

Cruise holds the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the most consecutive {{USD|100-million|long=no}}-grossing movies, a feat achieved with eleven films released between 2012 and 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most consecutive $100-million-grossing movies (actor) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/83913-most-consecutive-100-million-grossing-movies-actor |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref> In December 2024, he was awarded the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]'s highest civilian honor, the [[Navy Distinguished Public Service Award|Distinguished Public Service Award]], in recognition of his "outstanding contributions" to the military, with his screen roles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Cruise honoured with U.S. Navy's highest civilian award |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj90ww3ld3ro |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=www.bbc.com |date=December 17, 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In March 2025, he was named the recipient of the [[British Film Institute Fellowship]], the BFI's highest honor, for his contributions to cinema.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tom Cruise to receive BFI Fellowship, the institute's highest honour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/20/tom-cruise-to-receive-bfi-fellowship |work=The Guardian |date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321105510/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/20/tom-cruise-to-receive-bfi-fellowship |archive-date=March 21, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' ranked him as the world's most powerful celebrity in 2006.<ref name="Forbes-2007">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/6YG2.html|title=Tom Cruise ranked 1 among The Top 100 Celebrities In 2006|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=May 1, 2007|date=May 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060617132837/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/6YG2.html|archive-date=June 17, 2006}}</ref> He was named ''People's'' [[Sexiest Man Alive]] in 1990,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/this-is-every-sexiest-man-alive-winner-since-1985/collection_2e7aff6c-c2b9-550d-b5b4-7ae52e7f86d3.html#:~:text=1990%3A%20Tom%20Cruise,21%2C%201990 | title=This is every 'Sexiest Man Alive' winner since 1985 | date=November 7, 2022 | access-date=October 21, 2023 | archive-date=February 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221230012/https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/this-is-every-sexiest-man-alive-winner-since-1985/collection_2e7aff6c-c2b9-550d-b5b4-7ae52e7f86d3.html#:~:text=1990%3A%20Tom%20Cruise,21%2C%201990 | url-status=live }}</ref> and received the top honor of "Most Beautiful People" in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/most-beautiful-then-and-now|title=Here's Who The "Most Beautiful Person" Was Since 1990, Then And Now — And, Like, There Are Some Serious Transformations|first=Matt|last=Stopera|date=August 11, 2022|website=BuzzFeed|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=June 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615112609/https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/most-beautiful-then-and-now|url-status=live}}</ref> Outside his film career, Cruise has been an outspoken advocate for the [[Church of Scientology]], which has resulted in controversy and scrutiny of his involvement in the organization. An aviation enthusiast, he has held a [[Pilot certification in the United States|pilot certificate]] since 1994.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mérat |first=Victor |date=February 9, 2025 |title=Tom Cruise honoré par la Grande Médaille de l'Aéro-Club de France |trans-title=Tom Cruise honored with the Grand Medal of the Aero-Club of France |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/tom-cruise-honore-par-la-grande-medaille-de-l-aero-club-de-france-20250209 |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Figaro]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250214183026/https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/tom-cruise-honore-par-la-grande-medaille-de-l-aero-club-de-france-20250209 |archive-date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=February 14, 2025}}</ref>

==Early life==
Cruise was born on July 3, 1962, in [[Syracuse, New York]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tom-Cruise |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia Britannica]] |title=Tom Cruise |access-date=July 2, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041456/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tom-Cruise |url-status=live }}</ref> to electrical engineer Thomas Cruise Mapother III (1934–1984) and [[special education]] teacher Mary Lee (née Pfeiffer; 1936–2017).<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 24, 2002 |title=About Tom |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002716,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824141456/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002716,00.html |archive-date=August 24, 2013 |access-date=February 3, 2013}}</ref> His parents were both from [[Louisville, Kentucky]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=If truth be told, Tom Cruise Mapother IV has always been something of a ladies' man |url=http://www.gloucesterhistory.com/tom_cruise_excerpt.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041358/http://www.gloucesterhistory.com/tom_cruise_excerpt.pdf |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=October 7, 2017 |website=Gloucester Historical Society}}</ref> and had English, German, and Irish ancestry.<ref name="Tom Cruise's Irish Ancestry">{{cite web|title=Tom Cruise's Irish Ancestry|url=http://www.eneclann.ie/exhibitions/tomcruise/|date=March 28, 2013|website=Eneclann.ie|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407022504/http://www.eneclann.ie/exhibitions/tomcruise/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wargs.com/other/mapother.html |title=Ancestry of Tom Cruise |work=Wargs.com |access-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027132928/http://wargs.com/other/mapother.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruise has three sisters named Lee Anne, Marian, and Cass. One of his cousins, [[William Mapother]], is also an [[actor]] who has appeared alongside Cruise in five films.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.ew.com/gallery/stars-you-didnt-know-were-related/2266243_tom-cruise-and-william-mapother| title= Stars you didn't know were related| work= EW.com| access-date= February 18, 2020| archive-date= December 29, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041425/https://www.ew.com/gallery/stars-you-didnt-know-were-related/2266243_tom-cruise-and-william-mapother| url-status= live}}</ref>

Cruise grew up in near poverty and had a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] upbringing. He later described his father as "a merchant of chaos",<ref name= parade>{{cite web|url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2006/edition_04-09-2006/Tom_Cruise_cover|title=I Can Create Who I Am|work=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]|date=April 9, 2006|access-date=February 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412060632/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2006/edition_04-09-2006/Tom_Cruise_cover|archive-date=April 12, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> a "bully", and a "coward" who beat his children. He elaborated, "[My father] 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.{{' "}}<ref name= parade /> Cruise's father died of cancer in 1984.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/tom-cruise-katie-holmes-upbringings-torn/story?id=16742057| title= Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes: Very Different Upbringings| publisher= [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]| first= Luchina| last= Fisher| website= ABCNews.go.com| date= July 10, 2012| access-date= October 13, 2016| archive-date= December 29, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041517/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/tom-cruise-katie-holmes-upbringings-torn/story?id=16742057| url-status= live}}</ref>

In total, Cruise attended fifteen schools in fourteen years.<ref name="FamousNJ">{{cite web |title=New Jersey Entertainers |url=http://www.famousnewjerseyans.com/entertainers.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041523/http://www.famousnewjerseyans.com/entertainers.htm |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |website=FamousNewJerseyans.com}}</ref> Cruise spent part of his childhood in Canada; when his father took a job as a defense consultant with the [[Canadian Armed Forces]], his family moved in late 1971 to [[Beacon Hill, Ottawa]].<ref name= Unauthorized_ex>{{cite book| url= http://i.usatoday.net/life/books/tom_cruise_excerpt.pdf| title= Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography| first= Andrew| last= Morton| series= Ch. 1| publisher= Macmillan| date= January 15, 2008| access-date= October 13, 2016| isbn= 978-1-4299-3390-2| archive-date= December 29, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041359/http://i.usatoday.net/life/books/tom_cruise_excerpt.pdf| url-status= live}}</ref> He attended the new [[Robert Hopkins Public School]] for his fourth and fifth grade education.<ref name= Unauthorized_ex /><ref>{{cite web| website= ocdsb.ca| publisher= Ottawa-Carleton District School Board| url= http://www.ocdsb.ca/sch/20102011%20Elementary%20School%20Profile/RHOP.pdf| title= Robert Hopkins School Profile| access-date= September 25, 2012| url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025444/http://www.ocdsb.ca/sch/20102011%20Elementary%20School%20Profile/RHOP.pdf| archive-date= January 17, 2013| df= mdy-all}}</ref> He first became involved in drama in fourth grade, under drama teacher George Steinburg. He and six other boys put on an improvised play to music called ''IT'' at the Carleton Elementary School drama festival.<ref name= Unauthorized_ex /> Drama organizer Val Wright was in the audience and later said that "the movement and improvisation were excellent ... a classic ensemble piece."<ref name= Unauthorized_ex />

In sixth grade, Cruise went to [[Henry Munro Middle School]] in Ottawa. That year, his mother left his father, taking Cruise and his sisters back to the United States.<ref name= Unauthorized_ex /> In 1978 she married Jack South.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2019/04/carolyn-hax-after-acrimony-and-moms-death-how-to-tell-husband-i-dont-want-a-divorce-after-all.html|title = Carolyn Hax: After acrimony, and mom's death, how to tell husband I don't want a divorce after all|date = April 29, 2019|access-date = April 29, 2019|archive-date = December 29, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041520/https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2019/04/carolyn-hax-after-acrimony-and-moms-death-how-to-tell-husband-i-dont-want-a-divorce-after-all.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Cruise briefly took a Catholic church scholarship and attended [[St. Francis Seminary (Ohio)|St. Francis Seminary]] in [[Cincinnati]]. He aspired to become a [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priest]] in the [[Franciscans|Franciscan]] order but left after a year. Priests at the seminary have said Cruise chose to leave the school when his family relocated again; however, a former classmate said that they were both asked to leave after getting caught taking [[liquor]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=WHITE|first=CHRIS|title=EXCLUSIVE: Tom Cruise started religious journey with Catholic Church—until he was booted from seminary for swiping booze, says old friend|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/cruise-considered-catholic-priesthood-kicked-seminary-article-1.1278436|access-date=July 13, 2021|website=New York Daily News|date=March 4, 2013 |archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713191155/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/cruise-considered-catholic-priesthood-kicked-seminary-article-1.1278436|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name= Unauthorized>{{cite book| title= Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography|title-link=Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography |first=Andrew |last=Morton |publisher= Macmillan| date= January 15, 2008| isbn= 978-1-4299-3390-2}}</ref>{{rp|24–26}} In his senior year of high school, he played [[American football|football]] for the varsity team as a [[linebacker]], but was cut from the squad after getting caught drinking beer before a game.<ref name= Unauthorized/>{{rp|47}} He went on to star in the school's production of ''[[Guys and Dolls]]''.<ref name="cnbc.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/27/mission-impossible--fallout-star-tom-cruises-childhood-jobs.html|title=These were 'Mission: Impossible—Fallout' star Tom Cruise's first jobs as a kid|first=Tom Jr.|last=Huddleston|date=July 27, 2018|website=CNBC|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041527/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/27/mission-impossible--fallout-star-tom-cruises-childhood-jobs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, he graduated from [[Glen Ridge High School]] in [[Glen Ridge, New Jersey]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-04-06-0604060155-story.html|title=Cruise tells of pain of bullies, abusive father|first=Chicago|last=Tribune|website=Chicago Tribune|date=April 6, 2006 |access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041457/https://www.chicagotribune.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Acting career==
=== 1980s: Breakthrough and stardom ===
[[File:1985 Tom Cruise.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Cruise in 1985 at a reception hosted by First Lady [[Nancy Reagan]] at the [[White House]]]]
At age 18,<ref name="foxnews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/tom-cruise-biography-filmography|title=Tom Cruise Biography, Filmography|date=March 25, 2015|website=Fox News|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041528/https://www.foxnews.com/story/tom-cruise-biography-filmography|url-status=live}}</ref> with the blessing of his mother and stepfather, Cruise moved to New York City to pursue an acting career.<ref name="cnbc.com"/> After working as a [[busboy]] in New York, he went to [[Los Angeles]] to try out for television roles. He signed with [[Creative Artists Agency|CAA]] and began acting in films.<ref name="foxnews.com"/> He made his film debut in a [[bit part]] in the 1981 film ''[[Endless Love (1981 film)|Endless Love]]'', followed by a major supporting role as a crazed military academy student in ''[[Taps (film)|Taps]]'' later that year. Cruise was originally supposed to appear as a [[Extra (acting)|background actor]] but his role was expanded after impressing director [[Harold Becker]].<ref name="Taps">{{cite magazine |last1=Higgins |first1=Bill |title=How Tom Cruise and Sean Penn Got Their Big Breaks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tom-cruise-sean-penn-mission-impossible-274947/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813081608/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tom-cruise-sean-penn-mission-impossible-274947/ |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |date=December 17, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> He next won the role of Steve Randle in [[Francis Ford Coppola]]'s 1983 cinematic adaptation of [[S. E. Hinton]]'s [[The Outsiders (novel)|novel]], ''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]'', and shared the screen with an [[ensemble cast]] that included [[Matt Dillon]], [[Emilio Estevez]],  [[Leif Garrett]], [[C. Thomas Howell]], [[Diane Lane]],  [[Rob Lowe]], [[Ralph Macchio]], and [[Patrick Swayze]].<ref name=thenandnow>{{cite magazine
|url=https://ew.com/the-outsiders-cast-then-and-now-11702692
|title=The Outsiders cast: See the actors over 40 years after the film made them mega-stars
|access-date=June 28, 2025
|last=Fremont
|first=Maggie
|date=March 25, 2025
|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]
}}</ref> That same year he appeared in ''[[All the Right Moves (film)|All the Right Moves]]'' and ''[[Risky Business]]'', which has been described as "A [[Generation X]] classic, and a career maker for Tom Cruise."<ref name="rottentomatoes">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017641-risky_business/ |title=Risky Business|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=May 10, 2006 |archive-date=June 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619163126/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017641-risky_business/ |url-status=deviated }}</ref> He also played the male lead in the [[Ridley Scott]] film ''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]'', released in 1985.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 9, 2015|title=Ridley Scott's beautiful dark twisted fantasy: the making of Legend|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/legend-ridley-scott/tom-cruise-making-of/|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118060442/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/legend-ridley-scott/tom-cruise-making-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1986's ''[[Top Gun]]'', his status as a [[superstar]] had been cemented.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obituary: Tony Scott|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19316140|access-date=October 9, 2015|newspaper=BBC News|date=August 20, 2012|archive-date=August 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821082108/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19316140|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cruise followed up ''Top Gun'' with [[Martin Scorsese]]'s ''[[The Color of Money]]'' (1986), which came out the same year, and which paired him with [[Paul Newman]]. Their chemistry won praise among critics with ''[[The Washington Post]]'' writing, "One of the subtle achievements of both Cruise's and Newman's performances is that you feel that both of them are genuinely top-notch pool hustlers".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/thecolorofmoneyrattanasio_a0ad63.htm|title= The Color of Money (R)|newspaper= The Washington Post|accessdate= June 22, 2022|archive-date= October 13, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221013152330/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/thecolorofmoneyrattanasio_a0ad63.htm|url-status= live}}</ref> In 1988, Cruise starred in ''[[Cocktail (1988 film)|Cocktail]]'', a film that was a box office success but failed with critics. His performance earned him a nomination for the [[Razzie Award for Worst Actor]]. Later that year he starred with [[Dustin Hoffman]] in [[Barry Levinson]]'s ''[[Rain Man]]'', which won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]].<ref name="Oscars1989">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1989 |title=The 61st Academy Awards (1989) Nominees and Winners |access-date=July 31, 2011 |work=oscars.org |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502001817/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1989 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Tom cruise 1989.jpg|thumb|upright|Tom Cruise at the 61st [[Academy Awards]] in 1989]]
In 1989, Cruise portrayed real-life paralyzed [[Vietnam War]] veteran [[Ron Kovic]] in [[Oliver Stone]]'s war epic ''[[Born on the Fourth of July (film)|Born on the Fourth of July]]''. Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' wrote, "Nothing Cruise has done will prepare you for what he does in ''Born on the Fourth of July''&nbsp;... His performance is so good that the movie lives through it. Stone is able to make his statement with Cruise's face and voice and doesn't need to put everything into the dialogue."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/born-on-the-fourth-of-july-1989|title= Born on the Fourth of July movie review|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= June 22, 2022|archive-date= November 14, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221114135504/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/born-on-the-fourth-of-july-1989|url-status= live}}</ref> The performance earned him a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]], the [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor]], the [[People's Choice Award]] for Favorite Motion Picture Actor, a nomination for [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]], and Cruise's first Best Actor [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nomination.<ref name="Oscars1990">{{Cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990|title=The 62nd Academy Awards (1990) Nominees and Winners|date=October 5, 2014 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|access-date=June 8, 2018|archive-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510162908/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1990s: Dramatic roles ===
Cruise's next films were ''[[Days of Thunder]]'' (1990) and ''[[Far and Away]]'' (1992), both of which co-starred then-wife [[Nicole Kidman]] as his love interest, followed by the [[legal thriller]] ''[[The Firm (1993 film)|The Firm]]'', which was a critical and commercial success. In 1994, Cruise starred along with [[Brad Pitt]], [[Antonio Banderas]] and [[Christian Slater]] in [[Neil Jordan]]'s ''[[Interview with the Vampire (film)|Interview with the Vampire]]'', a gothic drama/horror film that was based on [[Anne Rice]]'s [[Interview with the Vampire|best-selling novel]]. The film was well-received, although Rice was initially quite outspoken in her criticism of Cruise having been cast in the film, as [[Julian Sands]] was her first choice. Upon seeing the film, however, she paid {{USD|7,740|long=no}} ({{Inflation|US|7,740|1994|fmt=eq|round=-1}}) for a two-page ad in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Daily Variety]]'' praising his performance and apologizing for her previous doubts about him.<ref>[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,305073,00.html Go Figure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041528/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,305073,00.html |date=December 29, 2020 }}, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', December 30, 1994.</ref>

In 1996, Cruise starred as superspy [[Ethan Hunt]] in the reboot of ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'', which he also produced.<ref>{{cite web |last=Foutch |first=Haleigh |title='Mission: Impossible' 20 Years Later: How An Uneasy Spy Thriller Became a Blockbuster Franchise |url=https://collider.com/mission-impossible-tom-cruise-20-years-later/ |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=May 22, 2016 |access-date=July 17, 2018 |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717083626/http://collider.com/mission-impossible-tom-cruise-20-years-later |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was directed by [[Brian De Palma]] and was a box office success. Film critic Stephen Holden of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised Cruise's performance, declaring "Tom Cruise has found the perfect superhero character on which to graft his breathlessly gung-ho screen personality."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/22/movies/film-review-mission-accepted-tom-cruise-as-superhero.html|title= FILM REVIEW;Mission Accepted: Tom Cruise as Superhero|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= May 22, 1996|accessdate= June 22, 2022|last1= Holden|first1= Stephen|archive-date= July 11, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220711134509/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/22/movies/film-review-mission-accepted-tom-cruise-as-superhero.html|url-status= live}}</ref> In the same year, Cruise took on the title role in [[Cameron Crowe]]'s [[sports drama]] ''[[Jerry Maguire]]'' playing a [[sports agent]] in search of love. The film was a massive financial success grossing more than {{USD|273 million|long=no}} worldwide against its {{USD|50 million|long=no}} budget.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web
| title = Jerry Maguire (1996)
| url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=jerrymaguire.htm
| website = [[Box Office Mojo]]
| access-date = January 6, 2010
| archive-date = January 2, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100102033957/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=jerrymaguire.htm
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

In 1999, Cruise costarred with Kidman in [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s [[erotic]] and [[psychological drama]] film ''[[Eyes Wide Shut]]''. Peter Bradshaw of ''[[The Guardian (website)|The Guardian]]'' praised both Cruise and Kidman on their performances writing, "Cruise in particular lays himself open in that fiercely committed way that he tries everything as an actor".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/29/eyes-wide-shut-review-stanley-kubrick-tom-cruise-nicole-kidman|title= Eyes Wide Shut review – chilling|website= The Guardian|date= November 29, 2019|accessdate= June 22, 2022|archive-date= November 17, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221117231038/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/29/eyes-wide-shut-review-stanley-kubrick-tom-cruise-nicole-kidman|url-status= live}}</ref> That same year he took a rare [[Supporting actor|supporting role]], as a motivational speaker, Frank T.J. Mackey, in [[Paul Thomas Anderson]]'s ''[[Magnolia (film)|Magnolia]]'' (1999). ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'' film critic Peter Travers heaped praise on Cruise writing, "Cruise is a revelation, fully deserving of the shower of superlatives coming his way&nbsp;... Cruise seethes with the chaotic energy of a wounded animal—he's devastating."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/magnolia-120044/|title= Magnolia – Rolling Stone|website= [[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]|date= February 27, 2001|accessdate= June 22, 2022|archive-date= July 11, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220711134345/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/magnolia-120044/|url-status= live}}</ref> For his performance he received another [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe]] and nomination for an [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Academy Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2000 |title=Nominees & Winners for the 72nd Academy Awards |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=January 3, 2014 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402003006/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2000 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2000s: Established career ===
[[File:TomCruiseOct07.jpg|thumb|upright|Cruise at the 2007 [[London Film Festival]] for the premiere of ''[[Lions for Lambs]]'']]
In 2000, Cruise returned as Ethan Hunt in the second installment of the ''Mission: Impossible'' films, ''[[Mission: Impossible 2]]''. The film was helmed by Hong Kong director [[John Woo]] and branded with his [[gun fu]] style; it continued the series' success at the box office, taking in {{USD|547 million|long=no}} worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |title=Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' Sequels Have A History Of Unexpected Delays And Long Waits |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/04/24/mission-impossible-tom-cruise-rebecca-ferguson-box-office-delayed-coronavirus-james-bond-shazam/ |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=Forbes |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712162200/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/04/24/mission-impossible-tom-cruise-rebecca-ferguson-box-office-delayed-coronavirus-james-bond-shazam/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike its predecessor, it was the highest-grossing film of the year,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Simon |title='Mission: Impossible' Turns 25: The Franchise Ranked By Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2021/05/21/mission-impossible-turns-25-the-franchise-ranked-by-worldwide-box-office/ |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=Forbes |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013152510/https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2021/05/21/mission-impossible-turns-25-the-franchise-ranked-by-worldwide-box-office/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but had a mixed critical reception.<ref>{{Citation |title=Mission: Impossible II |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/mission-impossible-ii |access-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003223833/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/mission-impossible-ii |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruise received an [[MTV Movie Award]] for Best Male Performance for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTV Movie Awards: 2001 Highlights |url=https://www.mtv.com/photos/4zhv31/mtv-movie-awards-2001-highlights/5abxpc |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=MTV |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013154912/https://www.mtv.com/photos/4zhv31/mtv-movie-awards-2001-highlights/5abxpc |url-status=dead }}</ref> His next five films were major critical and commercial successes.<ref name=boxofficemojotomcruise>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=tomcruise.htm |title=Tom Cruise |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 15, 2012 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041531/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/name/nm0000129/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tom_cruise/ |title=Tom Cruise Movies, News, and Pictures on Rotten Tomatoes |website=Rottentomatoes.com |access-date=July 31, 2010 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041533/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tom_cruise |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, Cruise starred in the romantic thriller ''[[Vanilla Sky]]'' (2001) with [[Cameron Diaz]] and [[Penélope Cruz]]. In 2002, Cruise starred in the [[dystopia]]n science fiction action film ''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]'', which was directed by [[Steven Spielberg]] and based on the short story by [[Philip K. Dick]]. It has since been included in lists of the greatest science fiction films of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-sci-fi-movies-1234893930/minority-report-2002-4-1234931240/ | title=The 150 Greatest Science Fiction Movies of All Time | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/minority-report-streaming-steven-spielberg-tom-cruise | title=Of course Spielberg's best shot ever is in his most underrated movie, 'Minority Report' | date=March 13, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.timeout.com/film/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies | title=The 100 best sci-fi movies of all time | newspaper=Time Out Worldwide | date=June 15, 2023 }}</ref>

In 2003, he starred in [[Edward Zwick]]'s period action drama ''[[The Last Samurai]]'', for which he received a [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe]] nomination for best actor.<ref name="www.goldenglobes.com" /> In 2004, Cruise received critical acclaim for his performance as Vincent in ''[[Collateral (film)|Collateral]]''. The critical consensus states that "Driven by director [[Michael Mann]]'s trademark visuals and a lean, villainous performance from Tom Cruise, ''Collateral'' is a stylish and compelling noir thriller."<ref>{{Citation |title=Collateral |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/collateral |access-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605045704/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/collateral |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2005, Cruise worked again with Steven Spielberg in ''[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]]'', a loose adaptation of the [[H. G. Wells]] [[The War of the Worlds|novel of the same name]], which became the fourth highest-grossing film of the year with {{USD|591.4 million|long=no}} worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2006 |first1=Joshua |last1=Rich |title=Hollywood's mid-term report card |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/07/06/hollywoods-mid-term-report-card/ |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=EW.com|archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013152616/https://ew.com/article/2006/07/06/hollywoods-mid-term-report-card/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2005, he was a nominee for the People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Movie Star<ref>{{Cite web |title=People's Choice Awards, USA (2005) |url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000530/2005/1/ |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=IMDb |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019145733/https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000530/2005/1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the winner of the [[MTV]] Generation Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTV Movie Awards: 2005 Highlights |url=https://www.mtv.com/photos/k9mhg0/mtv-movie-awards-2005-highlights/9rsbuv |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=MTV |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711135430/https://www.mtv.com/photos/k9mhg0/mtv-movie-awards-2005-highlights/9rsbuv |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cruise was nominated for seven [[Saturn Awards]] between 2002 and 2009, winning once. Nine of the ten films he starred in during the decade made more than {{USD|100 million|long=no}} at the box office.<ref name=boxofficemojotomcruise/>

In 2006, he returned to his role as Ethan Hunt in the third installment of the ''Mission Impossible'' film series, ''[[Mission: Impossible III]]''. The film was more positively received by critics than the previous films in the series and grossed nearly {{USD|400 million|long=no}} at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi3.htm |title=Mission: Impossible III (2006) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-date=August 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815013553/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2007, Cruise took a rare supporting role for the second time in ''[[Lions for Lambs]]'', which was a commercial disappointment. This was followed by an unrecognizable appearance as "Les Grossman" in the 2008 comedy ''[[Tropic Thunder]]'' with [[Ben Stiller]], [[Jack Black]], and [[Robert Downey Jr.]] This performance earned Cruise a [[Golden Globe]] nomination.<ref name="www.goldenglobes.com">{{Cite web |title=Tom Cruise |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/tom-cruise |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=www.goldenglobes.com |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013155022/https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/tom-cruise |url-status=live }}</ref> Cruise played the central role in the historical thriller ''[[Valkyrie (film)|Valkyrie]]'' released on December 25, 2008, to box office success.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=valkyrie.htm |title=Valkyrie (2008) |website=Box Office Mojo |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=July 31, 2010 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041438/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl460948993/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2010s: Action star ===
In March 2010, Cruise completed filming the action-comedy ''[[Knight and Day]]'', in which he re-teamed with former costar Cameron Diaz; the film was released on June 23, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Knight and Day |url=http://www.knightanddaymovie.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819114931/http://www.knightanddaymovie.com/ |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |access-date=July 31, 2010 |website=Knightanddaymovie.com}}</ref> On February 9, 2010, Cruise confirmed that he would star in ''[[Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol]]'', the fourth installment in the ''[[Mission: Impossible (film series)|Mission: Impossible]]'' series. The film was released in December 2011<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2010 |title=Cruise to star in 'Mission: Impossible 4' – Entertainment – Access Hollywood |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/cruise-star-mission-impossible-4-wbna35321981 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041432/https://www.today.com/popculture/cruise-star-mission-impossible-4-wbna35321981 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2010 |publisher=Today.com}}</ref> to high critical acclaim<ref name="rt">{{Cite web |title=Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_ghost_protocol/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041502/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_ghost_protocol |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> and box office success.<ref name="ox">{{Cite web |title=Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi4.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719071810/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi4.htm |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |access-date=April 13, 2012 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> Unadjusted for ticket price inflation, it was Cruise's biggest commercial success to that date.<ref name="Overseas5">{{Cite news |last=Subers |first=Ray |date=February 7, 2012 |title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'M:I-4' Passes $600 Million Worldwide |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3364&p=.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210103136/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3364&p=.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |access-date=February 13, 2012 |work=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>
[[File:Tom Cruise by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Cruise at the 2013 [[San Diego Comic-Con|San Diego Comic Con]]]]
On May 6, 2011, Cruise was awarded a humanitarian award from the [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] and its [[Museum of Tolerance]] for his work as a dedicated philanthropist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Cruise's Remarks on Receiving the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Humanitarian Award |url=http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/pp.asp?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=6765195 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408210046/http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/pp.asp?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=6765195 |archive-date=April 8, 2018 |access-date=April 8, 2018 |publisher=Simon Wiesenthal Center}}</ref> In mid-2011, Cruise started shooting the movie ''[[Rock of Ages (2012 film)|Rock of Ages]]'' (2012), in which he played the fictional character [[Stacee Jaxx]]. The film was released in June 2012 and was a rare box-office misstep for Cruise.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Everett |first=Christina |date=May 15, 2012 |title=Tom Cruise flaunts his abs, fake tattoos in 'Rock of Ages'-inspired photo shoot for W magazine |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/tom-cruise-flaunts-abs-fake-tattoos-rock-ages-inspired-photo-shoot-w-magazine-article-1.1078665 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518075305/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/tom-cruise-flaunts-abs-fake-tattoos-rock-ages-inspired-photo-shoot-w-magazine-article-1.1078665 |archive-date=May 18, 2012 |access-date=May 15, 2012 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York}}</ref> Cruise however received positive reviews for his performance with ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'s}} film critic Justin Chang writing, "Channeling the likes of [[Axl Rose]] and [[Keith Richards]] with his tattoos, heavy furs and even heavier eyeshadow, Cruise clearly relishes the opportunity to play against type even as he sends up his world's-biggest-movie-star identity, displaying a cock-of-the-rock strut that viewers haven't seen since his turn in ''Magnolia''."<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2012 |title=Rock of Ages – Variety |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/rock-of-ages-2-1117947727/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904074124/https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/rock-of-ages-2-1117947727/ |archive-date=September 4, 2023 |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

Cruise starred as [[Jack Reacher]] in the [[Jack Reacher (film)|film adaptation]] of British author [[Lee Child]]'s 2005 novel ''[[One Shot (novel)|One Shot]]''. The film was released on December 21, 2012.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schwarzbaum |first=Lisa |date=January 3, 2013 |title=Jack Reacher (2012) |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/01/03/jack-reacher-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041506/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20483133_20620438,00.html |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=July 13, 2013 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> It met with positive reviews from critics and was a box office success grossing {{USD|217 million|long=no}} worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jack Reacher |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jack_reacher/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725214916/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jack_reacher/ |archive-date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=July 12, 2013 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jack Reacher |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oneshot.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216094248/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oneshot.htm |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |access-date=July 13, 2013 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> In 2013, he starred in the science fiction film ''[[Oblivion (2013 film)|Oblivion]]'' based on director [[Joseph Kosinski]]'s graphic novel of the same name. The film met with mixed reviews and grossed {{USD|286 million|long=no}} worldwide. It also starred [[Morgan Freeman]] and [[Olga Kurylenko]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oblivion |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/oblivion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041528/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/oblivion |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=July 13, 2013 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oblivion |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oblivion.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713002517/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oblivion.htm |archive-date=July 13, 2013 |access-date=July 13, 2013 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> In 2014, Cruise starred in the science fiction-action film ''[[Edge of Tomorrow]]'', which received positive reviews<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow (2014) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/live_die_repeat_edge_of_tomorrow |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041436/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/live_die_repeat_edge_of_tomorrow |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]}}</ref> and grossed more than {{USD|370 million|long=no}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2014 |title=Edge of Tomorrow |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=allyouneediskill.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412045213/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=allyouneediskill.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2016 |access-date=April 16, 2016 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>

In 2015, Cruise returned as Ethan Hunt in the fifth installment of the ''Mission: Impossible'' series, ''[[Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation]]'', which he also produced.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2013 |title=Tom Cruise Signs to Star in Mission: Impossible 5 |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=103854 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041543/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/103854-tom-cruise-signs-to-star-in-mission-impossible-5 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |website=ComingSoon.net}}</ref> Returning cast members included [[Simon Pegg]] as Benji and [[Jeremy Renner]] as William Brandt, with [[Christopher McQuarrie]] as director. The film earned high critical acclaim<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation (2015) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_rogue_nation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041440/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_rogue_nation |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> and was a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi5.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117020323/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi5.htm |archive-date=November 17, 2013 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> Cruise starred in the 2017 reboot of [[Boris Karloff]]'s 1932 horror movie ''[[The Mummy (1932 film)|The Mummy]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |date=January 21, 2016 |title=Tom Cruise will officially star in the Mummy |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/01/21/tom-cruise-brings-star-power-to-universals-mummy-reboot/#2d447df71ccf |url-status=live |work=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041441/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/01/21/tom-cruise-brings-star-power-to-universals-mummy-reboot/#2d447df71ccf |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=January 22, 2016}}</ref> The new film, also titled ''[[The Mummy (2017 film)|The Mummy]]'', received negative reviews and disappointed at the box office, though still grossed more than {{USD|400 million|long=no}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Setoodeh |first1=Ramin |last2=Lang |first2=Brent |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Inside 'The Mummy's' Troubles: Tom Cruise Had Excessive Control (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/the-mummy-meltdown-tom-cruise-1202465742/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615013001/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/the-mummy-meltdown-tom-cruise-1202465742/ |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |date=June 7, 2017 |title=Review: 'The Mummy,' With Tom Cruise, Deserves a Quick Burial |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/movies/the-mummy-review-tom-cruise.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041442/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/movies/the-mummy-review-tom-cruise.html |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2018, Cruise again reprised Ethan Hunt, in the sixth film in his franchise, ''[[Mission: Impossible – Fallout]]''. The film was more positively received by critics than the previous films in the series and grossed more than {{USD|791 million|long=no}} at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_fallout |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712221032/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_fallout |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref><ref name="BOM">{{Cite web |title=Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=missionimpossible6.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212012649/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2449573377/ |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> Unadjusted for ticket price inflation, it was Cruise's biggest commercial success to date.<ref name="Box Office Mojo">{{Cite web |title=Tom Cruise Movie Box Office Results |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=tomcruise.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910171041/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=tomcruise.htm |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2019 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref>

=== 2020s: Franchise films===
In May 2020, it was reported that Cruise would be starring in and producing a movie shot in [[outer space]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=May 26, 2020|title=Doug Liman to Direct Tom Cruise Movie That Will Shoot in Space|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/doug-liman-direct-tom-cruise-space-set-movie-1296052|access-date=June 1, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503163536/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/doug-liman-direct-tom-cruise-space-set-movie-1296052|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Doug Liman]] would be directing, writing, and co-producing. Both will fly to the [[International Space Station]] as part of a future [[Axiom Space]] mission in a [[SpaceX]] [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Dragon 2]] spacecraft.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 22, 2020|title=Tom Cruise is officially going to space for his next movie|url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/tom-cruise-is-officially-going-to-space-for-his-next-movie-2758685|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126025424/https://www.nme.com/news/film/tom-cruise-is-officially-going-to-space-for-his-next-movie-2758685|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2021, Cruise protested against the [[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] (HFPA) by returning all three of his Golden Globe Awards in light of controversy surrounding the HFPA,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/tom-cruise-returns-his-3-golden-globes-in-protest-against-hfpa/|title=Tom Cruise Returns His 3 Golden Globes in Protest Against HFPA|first=Jeremy|last=Fulser|work=The Wrap|date=May 10, 2021|access-date=May 10, 2021|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510192733/https://www.thewrap.com/tom-cruise-returns-his-3-golden-globes-in-protest-against-hfpa/|url-status=live}}</ref> particularly its lack of diversity, specifically no black members, and ethical questions related to financial benefits to some of its members.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Melas|first=Chloe|title=Tom Cruise returns Golden Globe Awards in protest of HFPA|date=May 10, 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/entertainment/tom-cruise-scarlett-johansson-golden-globes/index.html|access-date=May 12, 2021|publisher=[[CNN]]|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512003050/https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/entertainment/tom-cruise-scarlett-johansson-golden-globes/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Tom Cruise Sydney Premiere Mission Impossible part one (53019353900) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Cruise at the 2023 [[Sydney]] premiere of ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'']]

In 2022, Cruise reprised his role as [[Pete "Maverick" Mitchell|Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell]] in ''[[Top Gun: Maverick]]'', a film which he also produced. The film premiered at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] where Cruise earned an [[Palme d'Or|Honorary Palme d'Or]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/05/18/tom-cruise-honored-with-surprise-award-at-cannes-film-festival/9828005002/|title= Tom Cruise wins surprise Palme d'Or award at Cannes Film Festival: 'I make movies for the big screen'|website= [[USA Today]]|accessdate= June 22, 2022|archive-date= October 21, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221021152746/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/05/18/tom-cruise-honored-with-surprise-award-at-cannes-film-festival/9828005002/|url-status= live}}</ref> The film was released to widespread critical praise, with many reviewers deeming it superior to its predecessor.<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes Editorial">{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2022 |first=Christopher |last=Campbell |title=Top Gun: Maverick First Reviews: The Most Thrilling Blockbuster We've Gotten In Years |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/top-gun-maverick-first-reviews-the-most-thrilling-blockbuster-weve-gotten-in-years/ |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512215327/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/top-gun-maverick-first-reviews-the-most-thrilling-blockbuster-weve-gotten-in-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film broke several box office records upon its release, earning more than {{USD|1 billion|long=no}}, and becoming the highest-grossing film of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/top-gun-maverick-is-officially-tom-cruises-highest-grossing-movie-ever|title= Top Gun: Maverick Is Officially Tom Cruise's Highest-Grossing Movie Ever|website= IGN|first= Adam|last= Bankhurst|date= June 18, 2022|accessdate= June 22, 2022|archive-date= October 13, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221013155219/https://www.ign.com/articles/top-gun-maverick-is-officially-tom-cruises-highest-grossing-movie-ever|url-status= live}}</ref> Cruise earned {{USD|100 million|long=no}} for the film, when combining ticket sales, his salary, and his cut of home entertainment rentals and streaming revenues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/features/movie-star-salaries-joaquin-phoenix-joker-2-tom-cruise-1235320046/|title=Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for ''Joker 2,'' Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More|date=July 20, 2022|first=Brent|last=Lang|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=July 21, 2022|archive-date=July 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720160107/https://variety.com/2022/film/features/movie-star-salaries-joaquin-phoenix-joker-2-tom-cruise-1235320046/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cruise reprised his role as [[Ethan Hunt]] in ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'' which was released in theaters on July 12, 2023. The film received critical acclaim, but was a box office disappointment due to the box-office and cultural phenomenon dubbed [[Barbenheimer]], which was the same-day release of [[Christopher Nolan]]'s historical epic film ''[[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]]'' and [[Greta Gerwig]]'s fantasy comedy ''[[Barbie (2023 film)|Barbie]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mission-impossible-barbie-oppenheimer-b2380677.html|title= Mission: Impossible struggles at box office against record-breaking might of Barbenheimer|website= The Independent|date= July 24, 2023|accessdate= November 11, 2023|archive-date= November 11, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231111170801/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mission-impossible-barbie-oppenheimer-b2380677.html|url-status= live}}</ref> Peter Debruge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised ''Dead Reckoning'' for its performances, action sequences and a satisfying ending, writing, "This outing may be one-half of a two-part finale, but it gives audiences enough closure to stand on its own".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise-1235661556/|title= 'Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One' Review: A Stunt-Loving Tom Cruise Takes On AI … and Big-Screen CG Rivals|website= Variety|date= July 5, 2023|accessdate= November 11, 2023|archive-date= October 26, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231026091115/https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise-1235661556/|url-status= live}}</ref> In 2024, he appeared in the [[2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony]] to promote [[2028 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics]], by jumping from the roof of the [[Stade de France]] stadium in Paris. He took the flag from Mayor [[Karen Bass]] and athlete [[Simone Biles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3d9ervrv5mo|date=August 12, 2024|access-date=August 14, 2024|title=Tom Cruise descends from stadium roof in daring Olympic finale|work=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

Cruise reprised the role of [[Ethan Hunt]] in the second part, ''[[Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning]]'', released in May 2025. Cruise also declared it would be the last film in which he would portray Ethan Hunt.<ref>{{Citation |last=McQuarrie |first=Christopher |title=Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning |date=May 23, 2025 |type=Action, Adventure, Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9603208/ |access-date=November 18, 2024 |others=Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham, Hayley Atwell |publisher=Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning-release-date-plot-cast-and-everything-we-know-so-far/ar-AA1uj3rv |access-date=November 20, 2024 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> He will also star in ''[[Digger (2026 film)|Digger]]'' directed by [[Alejandro González Iñárritu]] which will be his first film at Warner Bros. Pictures in twelve years.<ref>{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Kroll |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/tom-cruise-alejandro-inarritu-next-legendary-1235833486/ |title=Tom Cruise To Star In Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Next Film At Warner Bros. And Legendary |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222235301/https://deadline.com/2024/02/tom-cruise-alejandro-inarritu-next-legendary-1235833486/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ritman | first1=Alex |first2=Naman | last2=Ramachandran |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Tom Cruise, Alejandro G. Iñárritu Film at Warner Bros. and Legendary Sets U.K. Shoot (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/tom-cruise-alejandro-inarritu-film-uk-shoot-1236186267/ |access-date=November 20, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Production==
Cruise partnered with his former talent agent [[Paula Wagner]] to form [[Cruise/Wagner Productions]] in 1993,<ref name="MGM">{{cite news|title=MGM Partners With Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner to Form New United Artists |url= http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20061102/LATH10602112006-1.html |agency=PR Newswire |publisher=Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios |date=November 2, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080929115013/http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20061102/LATH10602112006-1.html |archive-date= September 29, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the company has since co-produced several of Cruise's films, the first being ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'' in 1996 which was also Cruise's first project as a producer. In addition, Cruise has produced films in which he does not appear, namely ''[[The Others (2001 film)|The Others]]'', ''[[Shattered Glass (film)|Shattered Glass]]'', ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]'', ''[[Narc (film)|Narc]]'', ''[[Ask the Dust (film)|Ask the Dust]]'', and ''[[Without Limits]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000129/|title=Tom Cruise Production Credits|website=IMDb|access-date=January 22, 2016|archive-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730052652/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000129/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cruise is noted as having negotiated some of the most lucrative film deals in Hollywood and was described in 2005 by Hollywood economist [[Edward Jay Epstein]] as "one of the most powerful—and richest—forces in Hollywood." Epstein argues that Cruise is one of the few producers (the others being [[George Lucas]], [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Jerry Bruckheimer]]) who are regarded as able to guarantee the success of a billion-dollar film franchise. Epstein also contends that the public obsession with Cruise's tabloid controversies obscures full appreciation of Cruise's exceptional commercial prowess.<ref name="Epstein">{{cite web|last=Epstein|first=Edward Jay|author-link=Edward Jay Epstein|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2121617/|title=Tom Cruise Inc.|website=Slate.com|date=June 27, 2005|access-date=October 31, 2008|archive-date=September 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928120812/http://www.slate.com/id/2121617/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Break with Paramount===
[[File:Tom Cruise by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Cruise at the 2019 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]
On August 22, 2006, [[Paramount Pictures]] announced it was ending its 14-year relationship with Cruise. In ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', chairman of [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]] (Paramount's parent company) [[Sumner Redstone]] cited the economic damage to Cruise's value as an actor and producer from his controversial public behavior and views.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/08/22/news/newsmakers/cruise_paramount/index.htm?cnn=yes |title=CNN: Paramount Pictures cuts ties with Tom Cruise |work=CNN|date=August 23, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041556/https://money.cnn.com/2006/08/22/news/newsmakers/cruise_paramount/index.htm?cnn=yes |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27267912.shtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015319/http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27267912.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=Sumner Redstone Rebuke of Tom Cruise: Now What? |publisher=National Ledger |access-date=August 8, 2009}}</ref> Cruise/Wagner Productions responded that Paramount's announcement was a face-saving move after the production company had successfully sought alternative financing from [[private equity]] firms.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lieberman |first=David |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-08-23-hedge-films-usat_x.htm |title=Cruise seeks financial backing from hedge funds |work=USA Today |date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041532/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-08-23-hedge-films-usat_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Industry analysts such as Edward Jay Epstein commented that the real reason for the split was most likely Paramount's discontent over Cruise/Wagner's exceptionally large share of DVD sales from the ''Mission: Impossible'' franchise.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d817b680-33a0-11db-981f-0000779e2340|title=Paramount vs Cruise: all down to the killer cut|work=Financial Times|date=August 24, 2006|access-date=April 2, 2015|archive-date=July 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725052653/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/d817b680-33a0-11db-981f-0000779e2340.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Nicole |last=Sperling |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003052563 |title=Biz eyeing economics of Cruise-Par breakup: DVD slowdown forcing restraint |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113093430/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003052563 |archive-date=January 13, 2009 }}</ref>

===Management of United Artists===
In November 2006, Cruise and Paula Wagner announced that they had taken over the film studio [[United Artists]] (UA).<ref name="MGM"/> Cruise acted as a producer and starred in films for UA, while Wagner served as UA's chief executive. Production began in 2007 of ''[[Valkyrie (film)|Valkyrie]]'', a thriller based on the July 20, 1944, assassination attempt against [[Adolf Hitler]]. The film was acquired in March 2007 by UA. On March 21, 2007, Cruise signed to play [[Claus von Stauffenberg]], the [[protagonist]]. This project marked the second production to be greenlighted since Cruise and Wagner took control of UA. The first was its inaugural film, ''[[Lions for Lambs]]'', directed by [[Robert Redford]] and starring Redford, [[Meryl Streep]] and Cruise. In August 2008, Wagner stepped down from her position at UA; she retained her stake in UA, which combined with Cruise's share amounted to 30% of the studio.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Eller|first=Claudia|date=August 14, 2008|title=Wagner resigns as chief of UA|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-14-fi-wagner14-story.html|access-date=March 3, 2023|periodical=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041508/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-14-fi-wagner14-story.html |archive-date=December 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Return to Paramount===
Cruise began working with Paramount again as a producer and star with ''[[Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol]]'', without Wagner, which was a critical and commercial success. He and Wagner would collaborate for the final time on the modestly successful ''[[Jack Reacher (film)|Jack Reacher]]'' series, also for Paramount.<ref>{{Citation |last=Bird |first=Brad |title=Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol |date=December 21, 2011 |type=Action, Adventure, Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229238/ |access-date=March 21, 2024 |others=Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg |publisher=Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media, TC Productions |archive-date=March 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325214335/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229238/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Move to Warner Bros. Discovery===
In January 2024, it was announced that his production company was forming a new strategic partnership with [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] to develop and produce original and franchise films.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lang|first=Brett|date=January 9, 2024|title=Tom Cruise Signs Deal With Warner Bros. to Develop and Produce Original and Franchise Films|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/tom-cruise-warner-bros-deal-new-movies-1235866282/#article-comments|access-date=January 11, 2024|periodical=Variety|archive-date=January 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110220303/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/tom-cruise-warner-bros-deal-new-movies-1235866282/#article-comments|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Masters|first=Kim|date=January 11, 2024|title=What Tom Cruise's New Deal Really Means|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/inside-tom-cruise-new-deal-1235785619/|access-date=January 11, 2024|periodical=THR|archive-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111170100/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/inside-tom-cruise-new-deal-1235785619/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Acting credits and accolades ==
{{see also| Tom Cruise filmography|List of awards and nominations received by Tom Cruise}}
{{Multiple image|total_width = 400
| image1            = TomCruiseHWoFOct10.jpg
| caption1          = Cruise's star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]
| image2            = Plaque with Tom Cruise's handprints in Leicester Sq London.jpg
| caption2          = Cruise's handprints in [[Leicester Square]], London
}}
In 2006, ''Premiere'' ranked Cruise as Hollywood's most powerful actor,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Power List 2006|url=http://www.premiere.com/best/2816/the-power-list-2006.html|work=Premiere|date=June 2006|access-date=July 29, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070120121741/http://www.premiere.com/best/2816/the-power-list-2006.html|archive-date=January 20, 2007}}</ref> as Cruise came in at number 13 on the magazine's 2006 Power List, being the highest ranked actor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premiere.com/newsletter/2851/the-power-list-2006-page13.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070120122143/http://www.premiere.com/newsletter/2851/the-power-list-2006-page13.html|archive-date=January 20, 2007|title=The Power List 2006|work=[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]|access-date=July 3, 2012}}</ref> The same year, ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine ranked him as the world's most powerful celebrity.<ref name="Forbes-2007"/> The founder of [[CinemaScore]] in 2016 cited Cruise and [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] as the "two stars, it doesn't matter how bad the film is, they can pull [the box office] up."<ref name="lawrence20160830">{{Cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/neon/las-vegan-s-polling-company-keeps-tabs-hollywood|title=Las Vegan's polling company keeps tabs on Hollywood |last=Lawrence|first=Christopher|date=August 30, 2016|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=December 24, 2016|archive-date=December 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224100303/http://www.reviewjournal.com/neon/las-vegan-s-polling-company-keeps-tabs-hollywood |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/tom-cruise-eyes-wide-shut-mission-impossible-top-gun-jack-reacher-a9177726.html|title=Why Tom Cruise is contemporary cinema's Peter Pan|date=October 31, 2019|website=The Independent|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041518/https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/tom-cruise-eyes-wide-shut-mission-impossible-top-gun-jack-reacher-a9177726.html|url-status=live}}</ref> October 10, 2006, was declared "Tom Cruise Day" in Japan; the Japan Memorial Day Association said that he was awarded with a special day because of "his love for and close association with Japan."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Cruise_Day_Declared_in_Japan/3563377 |title=Tom Cruise Day |website=Hollywood.com |access-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208204831/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Cruise_Day_Declared_in_Japan/3563377 |url-status=live }}</ref>

While reviewing ''[[Days of Thunder]]'' (co-written Cruise), film critic [[Roger Ebert]] noted the similarities between several of Cruise's 1980s films and nicknamed the formula the "Tom Cruise Picture".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/days-of-thunder-1990|title=Days Of Thunder movie review & film summary (1990) &#124; Roger Ebert|first=Roger|last=Ebert|website=www.rogerebert.com|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041544/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/days-of-thunder-1990|url-status=live}}</ref> Ebert listed nine key ingredients that make up the Tom Cruise Picture: the Cruise character, the mentor, the superior woman, the craft he must hone, the arena it takes place in, the arcana or knowledge he must learn, the trail or journey, the proto enemy, and the eventual enemy of the character. Some of Cruise's later films like ''[[A Few Good Men]]'' and ''[[The Last Samurai]]'' can also be considered to be part of this formula. ''Widescreenings'' compares two of these Cruise characters in an article on the film ''[[A Few Good Men]]:''{{blockquote|
[screenwriter] [[Aaron Sorkin]] interestingly takes the opposite approach of ''[[Top Gun]]'', where Cruise also starred as the protagonist. In ''Top Gun'', Cruise plays Mitchell who is a 'hot shot' military underachiever who makes mistakes because he is trying to outperform his late father. Where Maverick Mitchell needs to rein in the discipline, Daniel Kaffee needs to let it go, finally see what he can do.<ref name="widescreenings">{{cite web|url=http://www.widescreenings.com/few-good-men-analysis-review.html|title=Review and analysis: A Few Good Men|first=Inspired by R. Swanson and CrystalX by Vit|last=Dlouhy|website=Widescreenings.com|access-date=October 7, 2017|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041520/http://www.widescreenings.com/few-good-men-analysis-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

Cruise is an [[aerobatic]] pilot and was inducted as part of the [[Living Legends of Aviation]] in 2010, receiving the Aviation Inspiration and Patriotism Award from the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy. In addition to other aircraft, Cruise owns a [[P-51 Mustang]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://generalaviationnews.com/2010/01/13/living-legends-of-aviation-to-honor-tom-cruise-buzz-aldrin/|title=Living Legends of Aviation to honor Tom Cruise, Buzz Aldrin|last=Wood|first=Janice|website=General Aviation News|date=January 2010|accessdate=August 4, 2022|archive-date=August 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015054/https://generalaviationnews.com/2010/01/13/living-legends-of-aviation-to-honor-tom-cruise-buzz-aldrin/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Marriages and relationships===

Cruise splits his time between homes in [[Beverly Hills, California]]; [[Clearwater, Florida]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://popculture.com/celebrity/2018/07/28/tom-cruise-new-florida-penthouse-scientology-headquarters/|title=Tom Cruise's New Florida Penthouse Near Scientology Headquarters Features 'Pool Garden and Kitchen'|website=Popculture.com|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041452/https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/tom-cruise-new-florida-penthouse-scientology-headquarters/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the south of England, where he has lived in various places such as [[Central London]], [[Dulwich]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/464290.stm|title=Star couple 'buy London home'|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041453/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/464290.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[East Grinstead]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12071605/Tom-Cruise-puts-4.95-million-East-Grinstead-mansion-up-for-sale.html|title=Tom Cruise puts £4.95 million East Grinstead mansion up for sale|journal=The Daily Telegraph|date=December 28, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2020|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041533/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12071605/Tom-Cruise-puts-4.95-million-East-Grinstead-mansion-up-for-sale.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Biggin Hill]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/tom-cruises-quiet-life-biggin-7088449|title=Tom Cruise's quiet life in Biggin Hill and his daughter's very ordinary life|first=Sam|last=Honey|date=May 16, 2022|website=KentLive|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904074133/https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/tom-cruises-quiet-life-biggin-7088449|url-status=live}}</ref> In the early-to-mid-1980s, Cruise had relationships with [[Melissa Gilbert]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ross |first1=Martha |title=Is Tom Cruise's rumored new girlfriend&nbsp;... July 2021 |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/12/is-tom-cruises-rumored-new-girlfriend-hayley-atwell-ready-for-tom-cruise/ |website=mercurynews.com |date=July 12, 2021 |publisher=The Mercury News |access-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013153314/https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/12/is-tom-cruises-rumored-new-girlfriend-hayley-atwell-ready-for-tom-cruise/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rebecca De Mornay]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1502989/20050527/index.jhtml |title=Cruise Control |work=Vh1 |date=May 27, 2005 |access-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629061048/http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1502989/20050527/index.jhtml |archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> [[Patti Scialfa]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-romancing-the-boss-vol-30-no-15/|title=Romancing the Boss|website=People|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041528/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-romancing-the-boss-vol-30-no-15/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Cher]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/cher-once-dated-tom-cruise/story-e6frfmqi-1111116193761 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100617043717/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/cher-once-dated-tom-cruise/story-e6frfmqi-1111116193761 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 17, 2010 |title=Cher reveals affair with Tom Cruise |work=NewsComAu |access-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers.jpg|thumb|Cruise and [[Mimi Rogers]] at the 1989 Oscars]]
Cruise married actress [[Mimi Rogers]] on May 9, 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20096360,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150919084109/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20096360%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |title=Now Married to Mimi Rogers, Tom's Cruising Days Are Over |work=People}}</ref> They divorced on February 4, 1990. Rogers had grown up in [[Scientology]] and was one of its "[[Auditing (Scientology)|auditors]]";<ref name="reitman">{{cite book |last=Reitman |first=Janet |author-link=Janet Reitman |title=Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion |title-link=Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion |date=2011 |isbn=978-0-618-88302-8 |ol=24881847M |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]] |pages=272–273}}</ref> they met when Cruise became one of her clients.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Masters | first = Kim |date=September–October 2005 | title = The Passion of Tom Cruise|journal=[[Radar (magazine)|Radar]] }} as excerpted by ''Radar'' at [https://web.archive.org/web/20061019111857/http://www.radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2005/08/the_passion_of_tom_cruise_excerpt.php RadarOnline.com]</ref> In a 1993 ''[[Playboy]]'' interview, Rogers discussed her split from Cruise and said that he had been considering becoming a monk, which affected their intimacy. Rogers later retracted the comments and claimed she had been misinterpreted.<ref name=Evans>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/725636363|title=Mimi Rogers withdraws Tom Cruise sex claims|first=Gerard|last=Evans|date=March 1, 1993|newspaper=Evening Standard|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=August 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015036/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/725636363/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ariel-leve.com/st_interviews/tomcruise.html |title=Cruise's Bruises |first=Ariel |last=Leve |date=August 15, 2004 |newspaper=The Sunday Times |via=Ariel-leve.com |access-date=August 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303212437/http://ariel-leve.com/st_interviews/tomcruise.html |archive-date=March 3, 2012}}</ref> According to a friend of Rogers, "Tom, his agents and certain studios were furious about what Mimi said in ''Playboy''. She was told in no uncertain terms that her career would be over unless she put things right."<ref name=Evans/> Rogers received a {{USD|4 million|long=no}} divorce settlement.<ref name=Evans/>

Cruise met his second wife, actress [[Nicole Kidman]], on the set of their film ''[[Days of Thunder]]'' (1990). The couple married on December 24, 1990. They adopted two children: Isabella Jane (born 1992) and Connor Antony (born 1995). On February 5, 2001, the couple's spokesperson announced their separation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133675,00.html |title=Hearts Wide Shut |first=Alex |last=Tresniowski |website=People |date=February 19, 2001 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702003212/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133675,00.html |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cruise filed for divorce two days later, and their marriage was dissolved later that year, with Cruise citing irreconcilable differences.<ref name="Kidman still loves Cruise">{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/nicole-kidman-says-she-still-loves-tom-cruise-1C9433600 |title=Nicole Kidman says she still loves Tom Cruise |website=[[The Today Show]] |date=May 9, 2006 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002195607/https://www.today.com/popculture/nicole-kidman-says-she-still-loves-tom-cruise-1C9433600 |url-status=live}}</ref> Kidman stated that their marriage failed because at the time, she "was a child" who "needed to grow up."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 29, 2013 |title=Nicole Kidman on Her Marriage to Tom Cruise: The Only People Who'd Understand Are Brad and Angelina |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/10/nicole-kidman-tom-cruise-marriage |access-date=March 16, 2025 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> According to former church spokesperson and board member Mike Rinder, the Church of Scientology used various means to push the couple to break up, including pressuring Cruise into more auditing and tapping Kidman's phone.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology |year=2022 |author=Mike Rinder |publisher=Gallery Books |isbn=978-1982185763 }}</ref>
In a 2007 interview with ''[[Marie Claire]]'', Kidman noted the incorrect reporting of a miscarriage early in her marriage: "It was wrongly reported as [[miscarriage]] by everyone who picked up the story. So it's huge news, and it didn't happen. I had a miscarriage at the end of my marriage, but I had an [[ectopic pregnancy]] at the beginning of my marriage."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gordon |first=Meryl |url=http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/Nicole-Kidman-Interview-3 |title=Nicole Kidman Tells It Like It Is |magazine=Marie Claire |date=November 11, 2007 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025440/http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/Nicole-Kidman-Interview-3 |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cruise was next romantically linked with [[Penélope Cruz]], his co-star in ''[[Vanilla Sky]]'' (2001). Their three-year relationship ended in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3570639.stm|title=Cruise and Cruz end relationship|work=BBC News|date=March 26, 2004|access-date=October 31, 2008|archive-date=January 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106083855/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3570639.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> An article in the October 2012 issue of ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' stated that several sources have said that after the breakup with Cruz, Scientologist leaders launched a secret project to find Cruise a new girlfriend. According to those sources, a series of "auditions" of Scientologist actresses resulted in a short-lived relationship with Iranian-British actress [[Nazanin Boniadi]], who subsequently left Scientology.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tom Cruise's Scientology Marriages: The Secret Wife-Auditioning Process Before Katie Holmes, Revealed|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2012/09/tom-cruise-scientology-marriage-katie-holmes|date=September 1, 2012|access-date=September 5, 2012|magazine=Vanity Fair|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041533/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2012/09/tom-cruise-scientology-marriage-katie-holmes|url-status=live}}</ref> Scientology and Cruise's lawyers issued strongly worded denials and threatened to sue, accusing ''Vanity Fair'' of "shoddy journalism" and "religious bigotry".<ref>{{cite news |last= Adams |first= Guy |title= Scientology threatens Vanity Fair over Tom Cruise 'auditions' claims |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/scientology-threatens-vanity-fair-over-tom-cruise-auditions-claims-8122450.html |access-date= September 12, 2012 |newspaper= The Independent |date= September 11, 2012 |quote= Citing a mixture of "shoddy journalism" and "religious bigotry," the Church of Scientology is threatening to sue Vanity Fair over a recent article claiming that it helped "audition" young actresses to find a suitable girlfriend for Tom Cruise. |location= London |archive-date= December 29, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041454/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/scientology-threatens-vanity-fair-over-tom-cruise-auditions-claims-8122450.html |url-status= live }}</ref> Journalist [[Roger Friedman]] later reported that he received an email from director and ex-Scientologist [[Paul Haggis]] confirming the story.<ref>{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Oscar Winner Paul Haggis on Tom Cruise Scientology Girlfriend: 'I'm appalled that any church would treat its parishioners this way{{'-}}|url=http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/02/oscar-winner-paul-haggis-on-tom-cruise-scientology-girlfriend|date=September 2, 2012|access-date=September 5, 2012|last=Friedman|first=Roger|website=Showbiz411.com|archive-date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314144635/http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/02/oscar-winner-paul-haggis-on-tom-cruise-scientology-girlfriend|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tom Cruise lawyer on Vanity Fair expose: 'Tired old lies{{'-}} |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57506112/tom-cruise-lawyer-on-vanity-fair-expose-tired-old-lies/ |work=[[CBS News]] |date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906052445/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57506112/tom-cruise-lawyer-on-vanity-fair-expose-tired-old-lies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes WHCAD.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Cruise with his then-wife [[Katie Holmes]] in May 2009]]
In April 2005, Cruise began dating actress [[Katie Holmes]]. On April 27 that year, Cruise and Holmes—dubbed ''[[Supercouple#Celebrity|TomKat]]'' by the media—made their first public appearance together in [[Rome]].<ref name="usatoday.com">{{Cite news|title=Tom, Katie flying high on romance |last=Soriano |first=César G. |date=May 5, 2005 |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-05-03-cruise-main_x.htm|access-date=March 3, 2023|periodical=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041552/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-05-03-cruise-main_x.htm |archive-date=December 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> A month later, Cruise publicly declared his love for Holmes on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''; he jumped on Winfrey's yellow couch and stood there to make the announcement. On October 6, 2005, Cruise and Holmes announced they were expecting a child.<ref>{{cite news| last= Smith| first= Ryan E.| date= October 6, 2005| url= http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051006/ART09/51006019/-1/ART| title= Baby frenzy begins: Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise are expecting their first child together| work= [[The Blade (Toledo)|The Blade]]| place= Toledo| access-date= September 17, 2021| archive-date= December 29, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041503/https://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20051006%2FART09%2F51006019%2F-1%2FART| url-status= live}}</ref> In April 2006, their daughter Suri was born.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/822629/tom-cruise-unique-gesture-following-daughter-suri-cruise-birth/|title=Suri Cruise's estranged dad Tom Cruise made this unique gesture following her birth|date=March 26, 2025|website=HELLO!}}</ref>

On November 18, Holmes and Cruise were married at the 15th-century castle [[Castello Orsini-Odescalchi]] in [[Bracciano]], in a Scientologist ceremony attended by many Hollywood stars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Soriano |first=César G |title=Mr. and Mrs. TomKat: Inside their fairy-tale wedding |work=USA Today |date=November 20, 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-11-19-tomkat-highlights_x.htm |access-date=February 12, 2008 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041543/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-11-19-tomkat-highlights_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/NEWS08/611190359 |title=Cruise, Holmes exchange vows in castle |work=Toledo Blade |date=November 19, 2006 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203185150/http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061119%2FNEWS08%2F611190359 |archive-date=February 3, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Their publicists said the couple had "officialized" their marriage in Los Angeles the day before the Italian ceremony.<ref>{{cite news| last= Sanminiatelli| first= Maria |date= November 19, 2006| title= Now they are one: The TomKat is officially united at long last| work= [[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref> There has been widespread speculation that their marriage was arranged by Church of Scientology.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/archive/katie_holmes|title=Holmes, Sweet Holmes| work= [[W (magazine)|W]]|date=August 2005|access-date=July 30, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130502020714/http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/archive/katie_holmes|archive-date=May 2, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/07/katie-holmes-cruise-has-left-the-building.html |title=An Inquiry Into the Very Public Private Marriage of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise |work=Vulture |publisher=New York Media LLC |date=July 22, 2012 |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041501/https://www.vulture.com/2012/07/katie-holmes-cruise-has-left-the-building.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[David Miscavige]], the head of Scientology, served as Cruise's best man.<ref>{{cite news | title = Cruise and Holmes go on honeymoon | work = BBC News | date = November 19, 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6160350.stm | access-date = February 10, 2007 | archive-date = December 29, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6160350.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> On June 29, 2012, Holmes filed for divorce from Cruise.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes to divorce |url=http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/29/report-tom-cruise-katie-holmes-set-to-divorce/ |publisher=CNN Entertainment |date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=June 29, 2012 |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629212600/http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/29/report-tom-cruise-katie-holmes-set-to-divorce/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Heyman|first=J.D.|title=Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Are Divorcing|url=https://people.com/celebrity/tom-cruise-katie-holmes-split/|work=People|date=June 29, 2012|access-date=June 29, 2012|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629171231/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20608003%2C00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 9, the couple signed a divorce settlement worked out by their lawyers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Duke|first=Alan|title=Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes settle divorce|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/09/showbiz/cruise-holmes-divorce/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 9, 2012|date=July 10, 2012|archive-date=July 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710035841/http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/09/showbiz/cruise-holmes-divorce/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> New York law requires all divorce documents remain sealed, so the exact terms of the settlement are not publicly available.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sternberg|first=Louis|title=Did Katie Holmes File for Divorce from Tom Cruise in New York to Protect Her Privacy?|url=http://www.louislsternberglaw.com/2012/07/14/did-katie-holmes-file-for-divorce-from-tom-cruise-in-new-york-to-protect-her-privacy/|website=louislsternberglaw.com|date=July 14, 2012|access-date=July 14, 2012|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041504/http://www.suffolkdivorcelawyer.com/2012/07/14/did-katie-holmes-file-for-divorce-from-tom-cruise-in-new-york-to-protect-her-privacy/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruise stated that ex-wife Katie Holmes divorced him in part to protect the couple's daughter Suri from Scientology and that Suri is no longer a practicing member of the organization.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marcus |first=Stephanie |date=November 8, 2013 |title=Tom Cruise Admits Katie Holmes Divorced Him To Protect Suri From Scientology |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/08/tom-cruise-katie-holmes-protect-suri-scientology_n_4240715.html?ir=Entertainment |url-status=live |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041516/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tom-cruise-katie-holmes-protect-suri-scientology_n_4240715?ir=Entertainment |archive-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref>

===Litigation===
In 1998, Cruise successfully sued the ''[[Daily Express]]'', a British tabloid which alleged that his marriage to Kidman was a [[sham marriage|sham]] designed to cover up his homosexuality.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/203779.stm |title=Cruise and Kidman win libel case |work=BBC News |date=October 29, 1998 |access-date=April 15, 2012 |archive-date=May 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503095051/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/203779.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2001, Cruise filed a lawsuit against [[Gay pornography|gay porn]] actor Chad Slater. Slater had told the celebrity magazine ''[[Actustar]]'' that he had been involved in an affair with Cruise. This claim was strongly denied by Cruise,<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Simon|title=Cruise sues porn star over gay love claims|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1329163/Cruise-sues-porn-star-over-gay-love-claims.html|access-date=May 6, 2013|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=May 4, 2001|location=London|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041520/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1329163/Cruise-sues-porn-star-over-gay-love-claims.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Slater was ordered to pay {{USD|10 million|long=no}} to Cruise in damages after Slater declared he could not afford to defend himself against the suit and would therefore default. Cruise requested a default judgment, and in January 2003, a Los Angeles judge decided against Slater after he admitted that his claims were false.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/2664159.stm |title=Cruise wins 'gay' claims legal battle |work=BBC News |date=January 16, 2003 |access-date=April 15, 2012 |archive-date=February 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218071220/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/2664159.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Silverman|url=https://people.com/celebrity/cruise-wins-10-million-in-gay-lawsuit/|title=Cruise Wins $10 Million in Gay Lawsuit|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=January 16, 2003|access-date=February 17, 2019|archive-date=February 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218202013/https://people.com/celebrity/cruise-wins-10-million-in-gay-lawsuit/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cruise also sued ''Bold Magazine'' publisher Michael Davis for {{USD|100 million|long=no}}, because Davis had alleged that he had video that would prove Cruise was gay. The suit was dropped in exchange for a public statement by Davis that the video was not of Cruise, and that Cruise was heterosexual.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/1686039.stm |title=Cruise gay claims dropped |work=BBC News |date=December 1, 2001 |access-date=April 15, 2012 |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221105132/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/1686039.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, Cruise sued [[cybersquatting|cybersquatter]] Jeff Burgar to obtain control of the TomCruise.com domain name. When owned by Burgar, the domain redirected to information about Cruise on Celebrity1000.com. The decision to turn TomCruise.com over to Cruise was handed down by the [[World Intellectual Property Organization]] (WIPO) on July 5, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arbitration and Mediation Center |url=http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/2006/d2006-0560.html |title=WIPO Domain Name Decision: D2006-0560 |website=Arbiter.wipo.int |date=July 5, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-date=August 6, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060806044303/http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/2006/d2006-0560.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, magazine editor Michael Davis Sapir<ref>{{cite news|date=December 27, 2012|title=Tom Cruise Gives Guarded Testimony in Wiretapping Case|url=https://eu.sj-r.com/story/entertainment/television/2012/12/27/tom-cruise-gives-guarded-testimony/43791053007/|work=[[The State Journal-Register]]|access-date=March 29, 2024|archive-date=August 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015036/https://www.sj-r.com/story/entertainment/television/2012/12/27/tom-cruise-gives-guarded-testimony/43791053007/|url-status=live}}</ref> filed a suit charging that his phone had been wiretapped at Cruise's behest. That suit was dismissed by a Central Civil West court judge in Los Angeles on the grounds that the [[statute of limitations]] had expired on Sapir's claim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-07-06/tom-cruise-accused-of-wiretap-conspiracy-with-convicted-criminal-anthony-pellicano-during-nicole-kidman-divorce-exclusive/|title=Tom Cruise Accused of Wiretap Conspiracy With Convicted Criminal Anthony Pellicano During Nicole Kidman Divorce|work=Celebuzz|date=July 6, 2012|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041520/https://www.celebuzz.com/2012-07-06/tom-cruise-accused-of-wiretap-conspiracy-with-convicted-criminal-anthony-pellicano-during-nicole-kidman-divorce-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/tom-cruise-bert-fields-win-dismissal-wiretapping-suit-81691/|title=Tom Cruise, Bert Fields Win Dismissal of Pellicano Wiretapping Suit|work=TheWrap|date=March 18, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041548/https://www.thewrap.com/tom-cruise-bert-fields-win-dismissal-wiretapping-suit-81691/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2012, Cruise filed a lawsuit against ''[[In Touch Weekly|In Touch]]'' and ''[[Life & Style (magazine)|Life & Style]]'' magazines for [[defamation]] after they claimed Cruise had "abandoned" his six-year-old daughter.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.tmz.com/2012/10/24/tom-cruise-50-million-dollar-lawsuit-life-and-style-abandoned-suri/ | title=Tom Cruise Files $50 Mil Lawsuit Over Mag Claiming He Abandoned Suri | date=October 24, 2012 | work=TMZ | access-date=October 24, 2012 | archive-date=October 25, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025113549/http://www.tmz.com/2012/10/24/tom-cruise-50-million-dollar-lawsuit-life-and-style-abandoned-suri/ | url-status=live }}</ref> During deposition, Cruise admitted that "he didn't see his daughter for 110 days". The suit was settled the following year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/tom-cruise-settles-50m-lawsuit-reports-abandoned-suri-article-1.1554419|title=Tom Cruise settles $50M lawsuit over reports he 'abandoned' Suri|work=New York Daily News|access-date=April 6, 2015|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041527/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/tom-cruise-settles-50m-lawsuit-reports-abandoned-suri-article-1.1554419|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Scientology advocacy===
Cruise was converted to [[Scientology]] by his first wife, [[Mimi Rogers]], in 1986 and became an outspoken advocate for [[Church of Scientology]] in the 2000s. His involvement in the organization was leaked by the tabloid ''[[Star (magazine)|Star]]'' in 1990, and he publicly announced he followed Scientology in a 1992 interview with [[Barbara Walters]]. Cruise has said that Scientology, through its teaching method [[Study Technology]], helped him overcome his [[dyslexia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tom Cruise: My Struggle to Read |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140587,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041506/https://people.com/archive/tom-cruise-my-struggle-to-read-vol-60-no-3/ |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |website=People}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cruise credits Scientology for his success|work=Today.com|date=May 24, 2005|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/cruise-credits-scientology-his-success-wbna7968809|access-date=May 11, 2008|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041507/https://www.today.com/popculture/cruise-credits-scientology-his-success-wbna7968809|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruise has been a close friend of Scientology leader [[David Miscavige]] since the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=December 18, 2005 |title=Tom Cruise and Scientology |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/la-fi-scientology18dec18-story.html |access-date=March 17, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=September 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904074131/https://www.latimes.com/news/la-fi-scientology18dec18-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Wright-2013">{{Cite book|last=Wright|first=Lawrence|title=Going clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the prison of belief|date=2013|isbn=978-0-307-70066-7|location=New York|publisher=[[Alfred A. Knopf]]|oclc=818318033}}</ref>

Several years after Cruise started studying Scientology, the organization's leaders promised to share some Scientology secrets with him,<ref name="news.yahoo.com-2012"/> including information about the extraterrestrial ruler [[Xenu]]. According to Janet Reitman's book ''[[Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion]]'' (2011), Cruise "freaked out" and took a step back from the Church to work on the film ''Eyes Wide Shut.''<ref name="news.yahoo.com-2012">{{Cite web |title=How The Scientologists Recruited Tom Cruise |url=https://news.yahoo.com/news/church-scientology-landed-biggest-megastar-164734456.html |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=July 9, 2012 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015036/https://news.yahoo.com/news/church-scientology-landed-biggest-megastar-164734456.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, [[Mark Rathbun|Marty Rathbun]] was sent by David Miscavige to convince Cruise to return to the Church and continue his studies.<ref name="news.yahoo.com-2012" /> Cruise later sparked controversy in the 2000s with his [[Project Chanology#Tom Cruise video|efforts to promote Scientology]].<ref name="news.yahoo.com-2012" />

In the aftermath of [[September 11 attacks|9/11]], Cruise co-founded and raised donations for [[New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project|Downtown Medical]] to offer New York City rescue workers "[[Purification Rundown|detoxification therapy]]", drawing criticism from medical professionals and firefighters.<ref>{{cite news| last= O'Donnell| first= Michelle| date= October 4, 2003| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/04/nyregion/04DETO.html| title= Scientologist's Treatments Lure Firefighters| work= The New York Times| access-date= February 20, 2017| archive-date= May 7, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160507054436/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/04/nyregion/04DETO.html| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Roger |last=Friedman |title=Tom Cruise Can't Put Out These Fires |url= http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,238238,00.html#2 |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=December 22, 2006 |access-date=December 30, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070109070250/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C238238%2C00.html |archive-date=January 9, 2007 }}</ref> In late 2004, David Miscavige created the Scientology [[International Association of Scientologists#Freedom Medal of Valor|Freedom Medal of Valor]] and awarded it to Cruise for this work.<ref name="vanity">{{cite web |title= What Katie Didn't Know |work= [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date= October 2012 |first= Maureen |last= Orth |url= https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/10/katie-holmes-divorce-scientology |access-date= February 18, 2020 |archive-date= September 26, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200926225602/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/10/katie-holmes-divorce-scientology |url-status= live }}</ref> Former Scientologist [[Paul Haggis]] has claimed that Cruise attempted to convert several celebrities to Scientology, including [[James Packer]], [[Victoria Beckham|Victoria]] and [[David Beckham]], [[Jada Pinkett Smith|Jada Pinkett]], [[Will Smith]], and [[Steven Spielberg]].<ref name="Wright-2013" /> Since 2008, Cruise has restricted interviewers from asking him about Scientology.<ref>{{multiref2
| 1 = {{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/news/cruise-under-control-actor-says-i-learned-lesson-wbna28162646 |title=Cruise under control: Actor says 'I learned a lesson' |date=December 15, 2008 |first=Mike |last=Celizic |publisher=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |access-date=May 12, 2023 |quote=Three years ago, he openly discussed his membership in the religion with Lauer. But in recent interviews, he's said he prefers not to discuss it and has directed questioners to the religion's Web site. |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207011613/https://www.today.com/news/cruise-under-control-actor-says-i-learned-lesson-wbna28162646 |url-status=live }}
| 2 = {{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23178527/tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick-movie-star-smile-scientology |title=The hollowness of Tom Cruise |date=July 28, 2022 |first=Constance |last=Grady |publisher=Vox |quote=He heavily restricts the questions journalists are allowed to ask him before he agrees to an interview, and both his religion and his family life tend to be off-limits. |access-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015039/https://www.vox.com/culture/23178527/tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick-movie-star-smile-scientology |url-status=live }}
| 3 = {{cite web |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/30/to-become-a-superstar-again-tom-cruise-downplayed-scientology-as-his-driving-force-report-says/ |title=To be a superstar again, Tom Cruise downplayed Scientology as his 'driving force,' report says |date=July 30, 2022 |first=Martha |last=Ross |publisher=The Mercury News |access-date=May 13, 2023 |quote=He rarely gives interviews and only talks to journalists if they agree not to ask him questions about his religion and family, Vox said. |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015037/https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/30/to-become-a-superstar-again-tom-cruise-downplayed-scientology-as-his-driving-force-report-says/ |url-status=live }}
}}</ref>

==== Political lobbying ====
As well as promoting various programs to introduce people to Scientology, Cruise campaigned for Scientology to be recognized as a religion in Europe. In 2005, the [[Council of Paris]] revealed that Cruise had lobbied French Interior Minister [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] and Senate President [[Jean-Claude Gaudin]]; they described Cruise as a militant spokesman for Scientology and barred any further dealings with him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.examiner.ie/breaking/story.asp?j=182470131&p=y8z47x994&n=182471074&x= |title=Paris snubs Scientology 'militant' Cruise |work=Irish Examiner |date=July 13, 2005 |access-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107045926/http://www.examiner.ie:80/breaking/index.aspx?c=ireland&jp=cwkfkfeymhql |archive-date=January 7, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.prgparis.org/node/57 |language= fr| title= Tom Cruise ne sera pas citoyen d'honneur de Paris| place= Paris| agency= AFP| trans-title= Tom Cruise will not be an honorary citizen of Paris| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120425091546/http://www.prgparis.org/node/57 |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |date= July 12, 2005}}</ref>

=== Politics ===
In 2025, Cruise was selected by President [[Donald Trump]] for the [[Kennedy Center Honors]] but he declined it.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/tom-cruise-kennedy-center-honor-trump-1236345509/ Tom Cruise Rejected Getting a Kennedy Center Honor From Trump (Report)]</ref> Later that same year, Cruise cancelled a movie of his that intended to film in outer space, in order to avoid making a deal with Trump.<ref>https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/tom-cruise-scraps-space-movie-to-avoid-owing-trump-a-favor/</ref><ref>https://theplaylist.net/tom-cruises-spacex-movie-from-director-doug-liman-reportedly-scrapped-20251212/</ref>

=== Controversies ===

==== Criticism of psychiatry ====
{{see also|Anti-psychiatry}}
In January 2004, Cruise said, "I think [[psychiatry]] should be outlawed."<ref name=Desai>{{cite journal |last=Desai|first=Nimesh|title=Antipsychiatry: Meeting the challenge|journal=[[Indian Journal of Psychiatry]] |date=October–December 2005|volume=47|issue=4|pages=185–187|doi=10.4103/0019-5545.43048|pmid=20711302|pmc=2921130 |doi-access=free |issn = 0019-5545 }}</ref> In 2005, he criticized actress [[Brooke Shields]] for using the drug [[Paxil]] (paroxetine), an [[antidepressant]] which she used to recover from [[postpartum depression]] after the birth of her first daughter in 2003. Cruise asserted that there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance and that psychiatry is a form of [[pseudoscience]]. In response, Shields argued that Cruise "should stick to saving the world from aliens and let women who are experiencing postpartum depression decide what treatment options are best for them."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Brooke Shields Lashes Out at Tom Cruise|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1067822,00.html|date=June 2, 2005|work=People|location=New York City|access-date=July 8, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113165647/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1067822,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> This led to a heated argument between Cruise and [[Matt Lauer]] on NBC's ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today]]'' on June 24, 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8344309 | title= In tense moment, Cruise calls Lauer 'glib' | website= [[NBC News]] | date= June 28, 2005 | access-date= July 25, 2019 | archive-date= February 17, 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200217213724/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8344309/ | url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Tom Cruise's Heated Interview With Matt Lauer {{!}} Archives {{!}} TODAY |date=June 2, 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFgF1JPNR5E |access-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015135/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFgF1JPNR5E |url-status=live }}</ref>

Medical authorities view Cruise's comments as furthering the social stigma of mental illness.<ref name="The Lancet-2005">{{cite journal| title= Psychotropic drugs: unhelpful and helpful comments| journal=[[The Lancet]] | publisher=[[Elsevier]]|location=London |volume=366| issue=9480| page=96| date= July 9, 2005 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66841-9 | pmid= 16010708| last1=The Lancet | s2cid=39293746 }}</ref> From ''[[The Lancet]]'', "He may be right that psychotropic drugs are overused, sometimes misused; and that lifestyle changes (and exercise for depression) can be helpful. But he is wrong, as a celebrity, to add to the burden of those with a mental illness, who often fear seeking or continuing treatment because of the stigma still attached to their condition."<ref name="The Lancet-2005" /> Shields called Cruise's comments "a disservice to mothers everywhere".<ref>{{cite news |last=Shields |first=Brooke |author-link=Brooke Shields |work=The New York Times |title=War of Words |date=July 1, 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/opinion/01shields.html |access-date=January 20, 2009 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041546/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/opinion/war-of-words.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In late August 2006, Cruise apologized in person to Shields for his comments.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Shields: Cruise apology was 'heartfelt'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-02-shields-cruise_x.htm|date=September 2, 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|agency=Associated Press|access-date=June 20, 2011|archive-date=April 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416235909/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-02-shields-cruise_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Scientology is well known for its [[Anti-psychiatry|opposition to mainstream psychiatry]] and [[psychoactive drug]]s that are routinely prescribed for treatment.<ref name="vanity"/> It was reported that Cruise's anti-psychiatry actions led to a rift with director [[Steven Spielberg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.myway.com/celebgossip/pgsix/id/09_21_2005_1.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050930235723/http://entertainment.myway.com/celebgossip/pgsix/id/09_21_2005_1.html| title=Spielberg in Cruise Meltdown|archive-date=September 30, 2005|work=myway.com}}</ref> Spielberg had reportedly mentioned in Cruise's presence the name of a doctor friend who prescribed psychiatric medication. Shortly thereafter, the doctor's office was [[Picketing|picketed]] by Scientologists, reportedly angering Spielberg.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/07/24/hollywood-ending|title=Hollywood Ending|first=Ken|last=Auletta|date=July 24, 2006|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217213737/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/07/24/hollywood-ending|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== YouTube video removal ====
{{main|Project Chanology#Tom Cruise video}}
On January 15, 2008, a video produced by Church of Scientology featuring an interview with Cruise was posted on YouTube by the [[Anonymous (hacker group)|Anonymous]]-linked group [[Project Chanology]], showing Cruise discussing what being a Scientologist means to him.<ref name="warne">{{cite news | last =Warne | first =Dan | title ='Anonymous' threatens to 'dismantle' Church of Scientology via internet | work=[[APC Magazine]] | publisher=[[National Nine News]] | date =January 24, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="knbc">{{cite news | title =Hacker Group Declares War On Scientology: Group Upset Over Church's Handling Of Tom Cruise Video | publisher =[[KNBC]] | location =Los Angeles | date =January 24, 2008 | url =http://www.knbc.com/news/15132759/detail.html | access-date =January 25, 2008 | archive-date =August 21, 2008 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080821132355/http://www.knbc.com/news/15132759/detail.html | url-status =live }}</ref> Church of Scientology said the video had been "pirated and edited", and was taken from a three-hour video produced for members of Scientology.<ref name="knbc" /><ref name="Church of Scientology Slams German Tabloid">{{cite news | title =Report: Church of Scientology Slams German Tabloid for Publishing Comments Comparing Tom Cruise to Nazi Minister | publisher =[[Fox News]] | date =January 23, 2008 | url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/report-church-of-scientology-slams-german-tabloid-for-publishing-comments-comparing-tom-cruise-to-nazi-minister | access-date =January 25, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090605211418/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324885,00.html | archive-date =June 5, 2009 | url-status=live | df =mdy-all }}</ref> YouTube removed the Cruise video from their site under threat of litigation.<ref name="vamosi anonymous hackers">{{cite news | last =Vamosi | first =Robert | title =Anonymous hackers take on the Church of Scientology | work =[[CNET News]] | publisher =CNET Networks, Inc. | date =January 24, 2008 | url =http://www.news.com/8301-10789_3-9857666-57.html | access-date =January 25, 2008 | archive-date =January 27, 2012 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120127212752/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-9857666-57.html | url-status =live }}</ref> It was subsequently reinstated on the site, and as of June 2020, the video has achieved more than 15 million views.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFBZ_uAbxS0 | title= Tom Cruise Scientology Video – (Original UNCUT) | via= YouTube | date= January 17, 2008 | access-date= July 1, 2020 | archive-date= December 29, 2020 | archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/UFBZ_uAbxS0?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFBZ_uAbxS0 | url-status= live }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==== Purported influence ====
In March 2004, Cruise's publicist of 14 years, [[Pat Kingsley]], resigned. Cruise's next publicist was Lee Anne DeVette, his sister, who was herself a Scientologist. She served in that role until November 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/cruise-will-go-with-pro-1117932447/|title=Cruise will go with pro|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Chris|last=Gardner|date=November 6, 2005|access-date=October 31, 2008|archive-date=April 27, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427143555/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117932447?categoryid=13&cs=1|url-status=live}}</ref> DeVette was replaced with Paul Bloch from the publicity firm [[Rogers & Cowan|Rogers and Cowan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/eo/20051108/113151894008.html|title=Cruise Control Shifts Gears|date=November 8, 2005|work=Yahoo! Entertainment|archive-date=May 21, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521205326/http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/eo/20051108/113151894008.html}}</ref> Such restructuring was seen as a move to curtail publicity of his views on Scientology, as well as the controversy surrounding his relationship with Katie Holmes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jun/05/usa.film |title=What's eating Tom Cruise? |work=[[The Observer]] |first=Edward |last=Helmore |date=June 4, 2005 |access-date=October 31, 2008 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041550/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jun/05/usa.film |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Lawrence Wright]]'s 2013 book ''[[Going Clear (book)|Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief]]'' and [[Alex Gibney]]'s 2015 [[Going Clear (film)|documentary adaptation]] of the book cast a spotlight on Cruise's role in Scientology. The book and the film both state that the Scientology organization groomed romantic partners for Cruise and that Cruise used [[Sea Org]] and [[Rehabilitation Project Force]] workers as a source of free labor.<ref name="Wright-2013" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tom-cruises-secret-scientology-girlfriend-nazanin-boniadi-2015-3|title=Tom Cruise's secret Scientology girlfriend Nazanin Boniadi|date=April 1, 2015|work=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222081113/http://www.businessinsider.com/tom-cruises-secret-scientology-girlfriend-nazanin-boniadi-2015-3|url-status=live}}</ref> In the film, Cruise's former auditor Marty Rathbun says that Cruise's then-wife [[Nicole Kidman]] was wiretapped on Cruise's suggestion, which Cruise's lawyer denies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11370754/Scientology-leaders-ordered-Nicole-Kidman-wiretap-during-Tom-Cruise-marriage.html|title=Scientology leaders 'ordered Nicole Kidman wiretap' during Tom Cruise marriage|date=January 26, 2015|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229041531/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11370754/Scientology-leaders-ordered-Nicole-Kidman-wiretap-during-Tom-Cruise-marriage.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/618897/controversial-scientology-documentary-alleges-tom-cruise-wiretapped-nicole-kidman-s-phone-church-slams-claims|title=Controversial Scientology Documentary Alleges Tom Cruise Wiretapped Nicole Kidman's Phone, Church Slams Claims|work=[[E! Online]]|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=December 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213122621/http://www.eonline.com/news/618897/controversial-scientology-documentary-alleges-tom-cruise-wiretapped-nicole-kidman-s-phone-church-slams-claims|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruise's ex-girlfriend Nazanin Boniadi later compared the Scientology organization's auditioning of women to date Cruise and experiences with him to "[[Sex trafficking|white slavery]]".<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 10, 2017|website=TonyOrtega.org|title=Nazanin Boniadi's FBI testimony: Cast as Tom Cruise's girlfriend by Scientology|url=http://tonyortega.org/2017/05/10/nazanin-boniadi-fbi-testimony-cast-as-tom-cruises-girlfriend-by-scientology/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510133625/http://tonyortega.org/2017/05/10/nazanin-boniadi-fbi-testimony-cast-as-tom-cruises-girlfriend-by-scientology/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{annotated link|Supercouple}}
* ''[[Tom Cruise: Unauthorized]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Tom Cruise: All the World's a Stage]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography]]'' (2008)
* {{annotated link|Tom Cruise Purple}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography |title-link=Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography |first=Andrew |last=Morton |author-link=Andrew Morton (writer) |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |year=2008 |isbn=9781429933902}}
* {{cite journal |last=Peberdy |first=Donna |title=From wimps to wild men: Bipolar masculinity and the paradoxical performances of Tom Cruise |journal=[[Men and Masculinities]] |volume=13 |issue=2 |year=2010 |pages=231–254 |doi=10.1177/1097184X09359500|s2cid=145461981 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Tan |first1=Tom Fangyun |first2=Serguei |last2=Netessine |first3=Lorin |last3=Hitt |title=Is Tom Cruise threatened? An empirical study of the impact of product variety on demand concentration |journal=Information Systems Research |volume=28 |issue=3 |year=2017 |doi=10.1287/isre.2017.0712 |pages=643–660 |url=https://scholar.smu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=business_itopman_research|url-access=subscription }}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|commons=Tom Cruise|b=no|n=Tom Cruise|q=Tom Cruise|s=no|v=no|species=no|display=Tom Cruise|d=Q37079}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name|129}}
* [https://www.instagram.com/tomcruise Tom Cruise] on [[Instagram]] 
* [https://www.yahoo.com/movies/tagged/tom-cruise Tom Cruise] on [[Yahoo! Movies]]
* [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tom_cruise Tom Cruise] at [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
* [http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=Tom+Cruise Tom Cruise] on [[WorldCat]] (libraries)
* {{Discogs artist|Tom Cruise}}

{{Tom Cruise|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Tom Cruise|Awards for Tom Cruise]]
|list =
{{Academy Honorary Award}}
{{British Film Institute Fellowship}}
{{BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Actor in an Action Movie}}
{{David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures}}
{{Empire Award for Best Actor}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor Motion Picture Drama}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor Motion Picture}}
{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor}}
{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo}}
{{Hasty Pudding Man of the Year}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Performance}}
{{People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor}}
{{Satellite Award Best Actor Motion Picture}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Actor}}
}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruise, Tom}}
[[Category:Tom Cruise| ]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Scientology and psychiatry]]
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[[Category:People Sexiest Man Alive]]