Tom Cruise is one of the most famous and successful actors in Hollywood, but he is also one of the most mysterious and controversial. For over four decades, he has starred in blockbuster films such as Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, and Jerry Maguire, but he has also been involved in Scientology, a secretive and controversial religion that has drawn criticism and scrutiny from many quarters.
Cruise is known for performing his own stunts, risking his life for his audience and his craft. He has flown fighter jets, jumped off buildings, and even piloted a helicopter in a daring chase scene. He has also been influenced by his father, who was abusive and abandoned him when he was young. Cruise has said that his father was “a bully and a coward” and that he learned to overcome fear from him.
But Cruise is also very guarded and secretive about his personal life, rarely revealing his true self or emotions to the media or the fans. He has a very controlled and calculated public persona, which he maintains by never admitting to any mistakes or showing any weakness. He has been married three times, to actresses Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes, but all of his marriages ended in divorce. He has three children, two adopted with Kidman and one biological with Holmes, but he reportedly has little contact with them.
Cruise has also been the subject of many rumors and speculations, especially about his involvement with Scientology, which he joined in 1986. Scientology is a religion founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, which claims to offer a path to spiritual enlightenment and salvation through a series of courses and audits. However, it has also been accused of being a cult that exploits its members financially and psychologically, and of harassing and intimidating its critics and former members.
Cruise has been one of the most vocal and prominent supporters of Scientology, often using his celebrity status to promote its teachings and defend it from criticism. He has also clashed with some of his co-stars and colleagues over their views on Scientology or other issues. For example, he famously criticized actress Brooke Shields for taking antidepressants for her postpartum depression, saying that they were harmful and that she should have used Scientology methods instead. He also had a heated argument with journalist Matt Lauer on live television over the same topic.
Cruise’s public image took a hit in 2005, when he appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s show and declared his love for Holmes by jumping on her couch. The incident was widely mocked and parodied as a sign of Cruise’s erratic behavior and over-the-top persona. Some of his co-stars have also revealed some of his quirks and habits, such as Simon Pegg, who said that Cruise never accepts responsibility for any mistake and always denies it.
Despite all the controversies and criticisms, Cruise remains one of the most popular and influential actors in the world. He has won several awards and nominations for his performances, including three Academy Award nominations. He has also been praised for his professionalism, work ethic, and generosity by many of his co-workers and friends. He has a loyal fan base that admires his charisma, talent, and dedication.
Cruise is both admired and feared, loved and loathed, but never fully understood. He is a superhero, a savior, a kook, and an enigma. He is Tom Cruise.
Relevant articles:
– Superhero? Saviour? Kook? Why we’ll never know the real Tom Cruise, The Independent, Saturday 28 May 2022
– He can’t handle the truth! Did Simon Pegg really reveal Tom Cruise’s darkest secret?, The Guardian, Mon 13 Jun 2022
– Tom Cruise ‘Appreciates the Ridiculousness’ of His Public Persona, Says Simon Pegg, IndieWire, May 17, 2023
– Tom Cruise Is A Real-Life Bruce Wayne, FandomWire, April 22, 2023