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Tom Cruise’s 7 Closest Hollywood Friends (And 6 Celebs He Avoids)

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'Mission Impossible': The Cast Ranked From Richest To Poorest

The uncredited role that put tom cruise's career back on the map, how close are larry david and jerry seinfeld today.

• Tom Cruise has a polarizing reputation in Hollywood due to his support of Scientology and controversial opinions, but he also has a tight circle of friends.
• Cruise's closest friends include David Beckham and Jerry Seinfeld, with whom he has had strong bonds and long-lasting friendships.
• On the other hand, Cruise has feuded with individuals like Brad Pitt, and he has a contentious relationship with Leah Remini due to her criticism of Scientology and him personally.

There are many sides to Tom Cruise . He's one of the highest-grossing actors of all time and has starred in a string of classic movies, such as Top Gun, A Few Good Men and Jerry Maguire. He is also known for his role as Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise.

However, Cruise is one of the most polarizing celebs in Hollywood. He has been vocal about his support of Scientology, and he sometimes shares controversial opinions. Cruise has a tight circle of friends, but he is always looking to expose more people to his world. At the same time, he has a few enemies that he's feuded with over the years. It's time to take a closer look at Cruise's buddies and rivals.

Led by Tom Cruise's charismatic performance as Ethan Hunt, the Mission Impossible franchise has had some huge stars join on since its inception.

Updated on October 2nd, 2023 by Abigail Thomas: Tom Cruise has continued to be a very polarizing actor. While some recent co-workers, like Miles Teller, have nothing but positive things to say about Cruise, others want nothing to do with the Top Gun: Maverick star. Rumors have also circulated that Cruise has stepped away from Scientology , which is surprising considering his previous commitment to the religion.

13 Tom Cruise Is Friends With Soccer Star David Beckham

The iconic soccer player David Beckham can genuinely do it all. He's a talented athlete and world-famous celeb, and he is hugely popular among both his fans and other celebrities. Beckham and Tom Cruise are good friends with a tight bond. They've often gone on late-night motorcycles rides together through the streets of Los Angeles. Cruise even attempted to convince Beckham to join Scientology. However, David and Victoria Beckham decided that it wasn't a good fit for them. Regardless, Beckham and Cruise remain the best of friends.

12 Brad Pitt And Tom Cruise Are Top-Tier Frenemies

Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt are natural enemies. Cruise dominated the 80s, while Pitt was the man of the 90s. Regardless, rumors suggest these two megastars have been secretly feuding for over 25 years .

These Tom Cruise Movies Have Grossed Over $100 Million At The Box Office

Tom Cruise has been in the acting game since the early 1980s. He's made his mark in the industry countless times, but these are his biggest movies.

Reportedly, the feud started when they worked together on the 1994 horror film Interview with a Vampire. Pitt admitted to feeling "miserable" during filming. He also found Cruise to be a bit annoying. There's a great deal of professional jealously and competition between them, as their films sometimes go head-to-head in the theaters. They both enjoy gloating when their movie wins at the box office.

11 Tom Cruise Has A Close Friendship With Fellow Actor Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller and Tom Cruise have a very close friendship and have been friends for years. At one point, Stiller and his then-wife Christine Taylor would go on family outings with Cruise and his then-wife Katie Holmes . Stiller and Cruise remain friends even after all these years, and they've supported each other through difficult times. Cruise also made a surprise appearance in Stiller's film Tropic Thunder. Cruise and Stiller's friendship is tight and unbreakable, which is rare in Hollywood.

Tom Cruise’s career almost ended in 2006, but a small role in this Ben Stiller movie put him right back on track.

10 Tom Cruise Tries To Avoid Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields and Tom Cruise had a very public feud that they eventually put behind them. Regardless, Cruise avoids running into Shields when he can. In 2005, Cruise criticized Shields for going on anti-depressants to help with her postpartum depression . Shields didn't back down and responded with some harsh words towards Cruise. They continued to feud for several months until Cruise apologized privately. Shields called the apology "heartfelt" and accepted it. Later, Shields attended Cruise and Katie Holmes' wedding.

9 Simon Pegg And Tom Cruise Have An Interesting Friendship

Simon Pegg and Tom Cruise's friendship is like no other in Hollywood. Of course, they appear to have nothing in common. Tom Cruise is predominantly an action star, while Pegg gained fame for his roles in several comedy movies. But Cruise and Pegg became close friends while working on the Mission: Impossible films. Cruise is the star of each film, but Pegg is prominent in the series and feels that the media misunderstands his good friend.

8 Tom Cruise Does Not Think Highly Of Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber and Tom Cruise have one of the strangest feuds in Hollywood, and the dispute's pretty one-sided. In 2019, Bieber sent out a tweet challenging Cruise to a fight in the Octagon. Bieber's sudden feud with Cruise seemed to come out of nowhere.

There was never any confrontation or behind -the-scenes drama. Bieber mocked Cruise and was confident that any company would want to sponsor the fight. Of course, Cruise ignored Bieber, and the feud died down. Later, Bieber claimed it was a prank, although he re-issued the challenge in 2020.

7 Tom Cruise Has Been Friends With Dakota Fanning For Most Of Her Life

In 2005, Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning starred in the sci-fi film War of the Worlds. At the time, Fanning was a child actor that was on the rise in Hollywood. Cruise and Fanning formed a tight friendship that continues to this day. Since Fanning's 11th birthday, Cruise has sent her a gift every year. Fanning admits that he usually sends her a new pair of shoes, but she is amazed he continues the tradition.

6 John Travolta And Tom Cruise Have A Rocky History

Tom Cruise and John Travolta have been both friends and enemies. They're two of Scientology's most famous celebs, however rumors suggest that Travolta and Cruise are bitter enemies . Former Scientology members claim Travolta and Cruise have been battling for the top spot in the church.

Travolta is jealous of Cruise being the church's favorite. According to sources, Travolta was furious when Cruise won the Freedom Medal of Valor . Travolta feels that he should be getting the same level of recognition as Cruise.

5 Comedian And Actor Jerry Seinfeld Is Friends With Tom Cruise

Iconic comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Tom Cruise have been good friends for years and they have a lot in common. They're both two of the wealthiest and most famous Hollywood stars. Seinfeld also admitted that he had some brief interest in Scientology in the 70s. The two Hollywood megastars have hung out in New York and Los Angeles. They're so close that they've even spent time with each other's families. Of course, they also make sure they have a lot of bro time, just the two of them.

Comedians Larry David, and Jerry Seinfeld have been friends for over three decades.

4 Why Does Tom Cruise Have A Feud With Leah Remini?

Leah Remini was once a proud member of The Church of Scientology but is now an outspoken critic. She wrote a book and produced a series based on her experiences. Of course, Remini singled out several members, most notably Tom Cruise. She claims that Cruise is the most powerful member of the church and is fully aware of the abuses, though Cruise and the church deny all of Remini's claims.

Regardless, their feud continues to intensify. Remini even encouraged Katie Holmes to come forward and expose Cruise. It's safe to assume that Cruise and Remini won't be going out to dinner anytime soon.

3 Miles Teller Loves His 'Top Gun: Maverick' Co-Star Tom Cruise

Top Gun fans were over the moon when they learned that a sequel was finally in the works. The film of course starred Tom Cruise, and it also brought in actor Miles Teller. Though Teller had to be convinced by Cruise to join the film, Teller adored working with Cruise and has nothing but praise to say about the actor .

"I've said when I've been talking about Tom's performance in this film," Teller said of Cruise to Associated Press . "We give actors so much credit in movies for performing skills, for playing instruments or singing or gaining weight and losing weight. And the skills that Tom is putting on display in Top Gun and so many of his movies, that's a product of thousands of hours practice."

2 Tom Cruise Makes Shakira Uncomfortable

Tom Cruise and Shakira made headlines in May 2023 when they both attended the F1 Grand Prix in Miami, Florida. They were pictured spending time together, and it was clear that Cruise was mesmerized by the singer.

The feeling was sadly not mutual. Though Cruise spoke with his friends about the connection they had , Shakira did not feel a connection. Cruise reportedly sent Shakira flowers after the race, but she was not interested in pursuing a relationship with him. Shakira was begging for Cruise to stop flirting with her, as she had no interest.

1 Mark Wahlberg Is Not A Fan Of Tom Cruise

Mark Wahlberg made it clear to fans that despite being in the same business, he does not appreciate Tom Cruise. After Cruise made a comment comparing his job to "fighting in Afghanistan" in 2013, Wahlberg had quite a bit to say about how disrespectful the statement was.

"I don't give a f*ck what you did. You don't do what these guys did. For somebody to sit there and say my job was as difficult as somebody in the military's. How f*cking dare you. While you sit in a makeup chair for two hours."

Sources: usatoday.com, usmagazine.com, businessinsider.com

The Best Thing Mission: Impossible 2 Gave Us Was Ben Stiller As Tom Cruise's Stunt Double

A champion of the theatrical experience and one of the most daring stunt performers of all time,  Tom Cruise is a movie star from another stratosphere. Before some of his sillier roles in films like "Tropic Thunder" and "Rock of Ages," Cruise was mainly known for his intense drama and action movies. He rarely poked fun at himself or his reputation. That's why his "Mission Impossible 2" sketch with Ben Stiller from the 2003 MTV Movie Awards is such a gem.

In "Mission: Improbable," Ben Stiller plays Tom Crooze, a devoted but dim-witted stuntman who follows Tom Cruise around like a lost puppy. He believes they are BFFs and tries to emulate him in every single way — from his floppy hair, sleek sunglasses, and aggressive nodding. The juxtaposition between Crooze's obsessive dedication and Tom Cruise's apathetic acceptance of him is what makes this short so hilarious. Crooze takes his job super seriously, wanting to "become one with Tom" by overanalyzing every move he makes or anticipating everything he's going to say. Crooze never lets himself contradict Cruise, often changing what he says to agree with him. 

We also learn that Crooze was even Tom Cruise's stunt double for non-action scenes, like the sales pitch in "Magnolia," the famous "Risky Business" dance, or mixing the drinks in "Cocktail." It's funny because it's so ridiculous; Cruise is famous for doing his own stunts and they get riskier as the years go on. In the upcoming "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part One,"  he literally drives his bike off a cliff . The parody culminates in the best way when Stiller perfectly matches Cruise's trademark laugh — boisterous and energetic, maybe a bit too much — and finishes his sentences. Ben Stiller's overall impression of Tom Cruise is eerily on point. 

The blueprint for Tropic Thunder

According to MTV Movie Awards producer Joel Gallen , this entertaining sketch almost never happened due to scheduling conflicts. Ben Stiller was on his honeymoon with Christine Taylor during the only time Tom Cruise was available. However, Cruise refused to do the short film with anyone else. After a pleading email from Joel Gallen, Ben Stiller agreed to cut his honeymoon short, boarded a 15-hour flight, and returned to shoot what would become one of the funniest MTV Movie Award skits ever. 

Looking back at it now, "Mission: Improbable" feels like the blueprint for  Ben Stiller's Hollywood satire "Tropic Thunder,"  released five years later. Both mock self-important performers who take their craft too seriously. Stiller plays Tugg Speedman, a dumbed-down, Tom Cruise-esque action star looking for a comeback as a serious actor in his own version of "Born on the Fourth of July," a Vietnam War drama based on a bestselling memoir. As Speedman, Stiller brings the same over-the-top cluelessness and macho posturing as he did playing Tom Crooze.  

The real Tom Cruise was actually up for the role of Tugg Speedman. While it would have been really interesting to see Tom Cruise parody himself, his unexpected turn as Les Grossman is even better. Cruise completely transforms himself into a sleazy, bald Hollywood producer who dances to Flo Rida's "Low" and is willing to let Speedman die for a huge insurance payout. We rarely, if ever, see Cruise in such a repulsive role. According to an oral history of the character , Tom Cruise came up with Grossman himself. "Mission: Improbable" laid the groundwork for Tom Cruise and Ben Stiller as a dynamic comedy duo.

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Ben Stiller Left His Honeymoon For 2000 Movie Awards Skit With Tom Cruise

It was nearly a decade ago that Ben Stiller and Tom Cruise hooked up for one of the most memorable MTV Movie Awards short films of all time. In a new special airing airing Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, "Movie Awards Confidential," we take a look at some of the most memorable moments in the show's history -- and one of those is the "Mission: Impossible II" stuntman film from 2000.

The short film stars Stiller as Tom Cruise's loyal and sometimes clueless stuntman, Tom Crooze. However, the funny clip almost didn't happen.

"I very much wanted Tom Cruise to be on the Movie Awards," Joel Gallen recalled. "But then he realized he had already committed to be at the ['Mission: Impossible II'] premiere in someplace in Korea, so there was no way he could be at our show that night."

Once they realized they could get Cruise for a short film to air that night, they knew they had to get Stiller onboard. But there was another problem -- Stiller was on his honeymoon and wasn't around to shoot it during Cruise's minimal time frame. But Cruise wouldn't do it with anyone but him.

"I wrote Ben an e-mail: 'I know it's your honeymoon and everything but what if you came back two days early? What do you think?' " Gallen said. Stiller later agreed. "Then he goes, 'I really do want to do this film.' "

So Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor packed up and headed back to the States to make the short film happen. "We just left a day early," Stiller remembered. "We had to fly 15 hours to get there, which made it even better."

The best part came when Stiller finally got the chance to meet the man he had been parodying for so long. "I never had the experience of actually doing him to his face, and he was sitting at the monitor and he started cracking up watching and I knew it was OK," he said. "The part where we're both laughing is kinda real, because we're both laughing at the absurdity of the moment."

Will the vampires grab more trophies than the slumdog? What was the year's ultimate onscreen WTF moment? It's up to you to decide the winners of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards . Vote now, and tune in on May 31 at 9 p.m. ET, when the big show airs live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more -- updated around the clock -- visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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Tropic Thunder  rewatched and reconsidered, 10 years later

The summer of 2008 broke history, and rebuilt it. America suffered through a bitter presidential election on the road to a globewrecking financial crisis. In theaters, cinematic generations were rising — and falling. Superheroes, Will Smith, George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro, Emma Stone, Mike Myers, Sisterhood s and Step Brothers , Batman, and ABBA, adaptations of TV shows we still tweet about, new installments of movie franchises studios won't stop rebooting: everything Hollywood was before, alongside everything it still is.

In our weekly column Two Thousand Late , we'll explore the big hits and curious flops from a summer that has never really ended. Next week: Summer ends and a new era dawns with The House Bunny . This week: critic at large Leah Greenblatt and TV critic Darren Franich on Tropic Thunder .

DARREN: We've revisited a lot of movies this summer, Leah. But I have to admit, nothing made me more anxious than the prospect of rewatching Tropic Thunder.

For director-star Ben Stiller, this was magnum opus territory: A big-budget comedy about big-budget excess, stuffed with hard-R ultraviolence and offensive-on-purpose material. Stiller was an influential cult-comedy voice in the '90s before he became a full-blown franchise-launching megastar across the 2000s. On Thunder , he assembled an all-star lineup from across the cinematic universe of humor: fellow comedy star Jack Black, Apatow-adjacent Jay Baruchel and Danny McBride, stand-up Brandon T. Jackson, eternal "he's much more popular in Britain" talking point Steve Coogan. And that's not to mention Tom Cruise under heavy makeup, Robert Downey Jr. under heavy makeup, and Matthew McConaughey in the wilderness years.

Tropic Thunder was a phenomenon upon initial release. It was the movie that finally pushed The Dark Knight off the top of the box office, maintaining a No. 1 position in domestic theaters through Labor Day. And thanks to Downey, it became the rare comedy hit to receive Oscar attention, earning the star a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Downey's role-within-a-role might be the big talking point here. As a vaguely Crowevian method actor Kirk Lazarus, Downey spends most of the movie exhibiting "pigmentation alteration" — meta-blackface, basically.

It seems impossible that any actor would play a role like that today, though on some level "wouldn't happen today" is the vibe of the whole movie. Tropic Thunder opens with a comedy assault, fake trailers, fart symphonies, a Brokeback ish Oscar parody, the sight of Stiller's hands exploded into Sarlacc-y stumps. The opening scene openly quotes Platoon and Apocalypse Now , two films which symbolize an earlier era of auteurist overreach.

You're primed for a scathing satire of Hollywood…and then the film never really lives up to that prologue. There are some isolated bits in Tropic Thunder I really enjoy. I forgot just how fully committed and semi-psychopathic Jack Black was in the part of a druggy tabloid star. On some deeply pathological level, I will always think it's hilarious when Tom Cruise says bad words. But there's something a little backpatty in the film's tone, halfway to Entourage. You feel everyone's very proud of everything they're getting away with — and the fact that Stiller ends Tropic Thunder with his character's Oscar victory feels like meta-narcissism falling backwards into light egomania.

What was your experience watching Tropic Thunder this go-round, Leah?

LEAH: Mine was the same honestly, though maybe I enjoyed it just a smedge more than you did? Or the first 45 minutes at least; much like Ben Stiller's biceps, the last hour is the kind of swole that you makes you think, "That is a whole lot of effort, for my mere mild amusement." Especially when you remember that this is the same director who made his debut less than 15 years earlier with Reality Bites , where his character purposefully represented all the smash-cut emptiness of modern pop culture that Winona and her scrappy little band of gas-station bohemians were trying to get away from. The student has become the blaster.

But there are so many moments in Thunder that I still love, too: the loony cameos (don't tell me that Tobey Maguire's performance as the homoerotic priest in the Kirk Lazarus trailer-within-a-trailer doesn't deserve at least a Cable Ace award), Jack Black and his jellybeans; Danny McBride's reverse lightning-bolt mullet; RDJ's "never go full retard" speech. And you're so right, even rewatching that speech scene alone on my laptop, I felt uncomfortable; I don't feel great even typing the words now. But there is real Academy wisdom in that speech too — and his delivery is perfect.

I actually enjoy this Downey performance way more than anything he's done in spandex over the last few years; it's so goofy and free. But to me the biggest revelation in this movie is probably Tom Cruise — not strictly because of the acting, necessarily, or the fat suit, though he works hard for both, but just that this is the last time I remember him distinctly not playing himself. He's a hairy-knuckled bear-daddy Diet Coke-head with a nuclear rage problem, and he looks like he's having so much fun. I don't know that I've enjoyed him this much as a pure actor, and not as a dude playing the dude who is always Tom Cruise™, since Magnolia .

I also just realized, is there a lady in this movie with a line of dialogue besides "Please hold"? Not that every script has to pass the Bechdel test , but man that is a low ratio, when secondhand Maria Menounos on a closed-circuit TV beamed over the hotel breakfast buffet is your main female.

DARREN: You've also got Tyra Banks, Christine Taylor, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Alicia Silverstone in steadily more cameo-ish cameos. Which could be the point! Like the same summer's Step Brothers , the overriding vibe here is dudely self-destruction. Stiller wrote the screenplay with Etan Cohen and (hello!) Justin Theroux, and it almost feels like they aligned their core characters with the Seven Deadly Sins. Stiller's Tugg Speedman envies Lazarus. Lazarus is a white actor prideful enough to think he can play a black man. Black's Jeff Portnoy is a glutton, like a chocoholic, but for heroin. Grossman's greedy. Brandon Soo Hoo's teen guerilla Tran is all wrath. And, um, is that seven yet?

In a lot of ways, this movie seems like the apex of a particular moment in comedy, sitting alongside 2005's dirty-joke shockfest The Aristocrats and 2006's Borat feature. Back then, it felt like the point of movie comedy was to push past every possible barrier of good taste. (This was also the era when the horror genre slipped into torture porn, a correlation proving nothing except that the 2000s were a weird, dark time.) It's a kick to see how far Tropic Thunder wants to push itself, no doubt. Along with the "full retard" speech (god help me, I laughed again!), there's that bit when Grossman decides the best business move is to let his lead actor die.

We're halfway to Network territory there — but you feel the kid gloves come on after that, like the movie can't get too sharp in its showbiz satire, like there's this quality of safely laughing with instead of dangerously laughing at . I guess it's a tricky question of our age, Leah. Even when a movie explicitly sets out to deconstruct powerful Hollywood men, will it inevitably wind up celebrating them? It looks fun to be a powerful asshat! It's like that old Francois Truffaut line, how there's no such thing as a truly anti-war film, because war inevitably looks awesome on the big screen. I know, I know, quoting Truffaut now are we? , but that could be some ultimate point of Tropic Thunder , too. These dudes go to the jungle looking to make a sober war epic, lose their movie, lose their minds, and still wind up with awards-y financial success. Huzzah for failing upwards!

Cruise as Grossman is a delight. Also, maybe we're just all the way through the rabbit hole here, but I forgot how much I enjoyed McConaughey as Stiller's agent! I've just seen a lot of his Serious Face stuff post-McConaissance, so it's a kick to watch his anxiously fratty agent face off against magisterial Grossman. Can we reunite these two characters in a spinoff? Written by, like, Tina Fey?

LEAH: Darren, this is in my top-three McConaughey performances for sure; my Mconaugh-three. He's not doing Kate Hudson romance or gaunt Oscar bait, but he is acting out the perfect flipside of his '90s John Grisham types: he has a noble cause and he will fight to the death for it! Except the cause is the Tivo clause in his client's set rider , and he will fight unless the death of that client means he gets his own G5.

It's funny what you say about the movie pivoting from satire to self-congratulation, because as two people who work adjacent to show business (and by "adjacent" I mean, like, the seagulls in the dumpster behind the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion), do you think you and I are more susceptible in general to this kind of inside-baseball shenanigans?

Thunder 's whole plot obviously hinges on some knowledge of Hollywood self-regard, but it's not setting a super high bar: Any steady pop-culture consumer would recognize those tropes (like the opening string of fantastically bad fake trailers); they're like an action-movie amuse-bouche that Stiller and Theroux gave us eight years before Deadpool .

Now that you brought up Tina Fey though, the script does feel like a sort of feature-length cousin to one of her and Amy Poehler's Golden Globes monologues: a big, winky pin in the bloated balloon of industry ego. I think they might be better at it than Justin Theroux — but of course 10 killer minutes onstage is not the same as sustaining a whole movie. (And 10 great minutes is about exactly what Sisters had.)

As far as men being both the only target and, in the end, the only heroes here, Cruise's turn did make me think for a minute about another one of my favorite left-field casting coups: Tilda Swinton's ruthless lad-mag editor in Trainwreck . She's just pure, venal joy with no real redemption arc at all, and I loved that.

I'm not really sure how to end this thing, so I'll give you the one of the seven deadly sins you missed: Sloth! I'm tapping out. But I'm glad this assignment made us rewatch and reconsider a movie I probably wouldn't have gone back to without, say, a long weekend in a log cabin with a very limited DVD collection.

My final takeaway is: Brandon T. Jackson is underrated. Cruise and McConaughey definitely need to get weird more often. And if there's going to be any kind of spin-off, I vote for RDJ and Kate McKinnon just jabbering their crazy Australian accents at each other for two straight hours. Fin.

Complete Summer 2008 Schedule:

May 2: Iron Man and Made of Honor

May 9: Speed Racer

May 16: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

May 22: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull

May 30: Sex and the City

June 6: Kung Fu Panda

June 13: The Happening

June 20: The Love Guru

June 27: WALL-E

July 2: Hancock

July 11: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

July 18: The Dark Knight

July 25: Step Brothers

Aug. 1: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Aug. 13: Tropic Thunder

Aug. 22: The House Bunny

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15 years ago, Tom Cruise revived his career with an uncredited role in Tropic Thunder

After a string of controversies and a split from longtime studio paramount, cruise was slipping out of favour with hollywood. that was, until he suggested the character of a diet coke-guzzling terror of a movie producer for his friend ben stiller’s new film, article bookmarked.

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Fifteen years ago, Tom Cruise took on a role that has since been credited for reviving his career. Now, with the latest Mission: Impossible film just released and Cruise enjoying his time as one of the top 10 highest-grossing lead actors of all time, it’s hard to imagine. But back then, he was falling out of favour due to a spate of controversial public behaviour.

In 2006, Cruise was a PR nightmare dominating headlines for all the wrong reasons. The previous year, he’d caused uproar with his notorious couch-jumping stunt during an interview with Oprah. He was supposed to be promoting Steven Spielberg ’s movie War of the Worlds , but instead decided to declare his love for fellow actor Katie Holmes , in the most over-enthusiastic manner possible.

The clip was viewed millions of times around the world thanks to a new website called YouTube, sparking a reported feud with Spielberg, who apparently believed that Cruise’s behaviour had damaged War of the Worlds ’ success at the box office. (Cruise would later tell Oprah in a 2015 interview that the moment was “real” for him and he was unsure if he’d take it back.)

That same year, Cruise was heavily criticised for his remarks about Brooke Shields, where he accused her of spreading “irresponsible misinformation” about antidepressants. Shields, who struggled with conception, revealed in her book Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression, that she’d taken medication to help treat her condition.

In a heated discussion on The Today Show, Cruise told then-host Matt Lauer that Shields “didn’t understand the history of psychiatry”, and went so far as to brand her “dangerous”. Shields then wrote a New York Times op-ed, in which she suggested Cruise “stick to fighting aliens”. He was also criticised by medical experts who warned that he risked increasing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Shields said that Cruise apologised for his remarks in person, and that she’d been impressed by his apology, during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. “He apologised for bringing me into the whole thing and for everything that happened,” she said.

“And through it all, I was so impressed with how heartfelt it was. And I didn't feel at any time that I had to defend myself, nor did I feel that he was trying to convince me of anything other than the fact that he was deeply sorry. And I accepted it.”

By 2006, Cruise was rapidly falling out of favour with Hollywood, even as he was ranked as the world’s most powerful celebrity by Forbes . His influence and box-office success were indisputable, of course, but industry figures – and the public – appeared to be growing tired of his highly publicised antics.

Evidence of this emerged when Paramount Studios cut ties with Cruise after a 14-year relationship, and Sumner Redstone, then-chairman of the studio’s parent company, Viacom, cited the actor’s public behaviour as one of the reasons behind the decision.

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“It’s nothing to do with his acting ability, he’s a terrific actor,” Redstone said at the time. “But we don’t think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot.”

This shocking upset, which landed after years of success since Cruise first starred in Top Gun in 1986, caused many Hollywood critics to wonder if this was the end of his career. That was, until 2008, when Cruise showed up in a cameo role in his friend Ben Stiller ’s box office hit, Tropic Thunder – about a cast of prima donna actors shooting a movie in Vietnam – as the balding, Diet Coke-guzzling, expletive-uttering movie executive Les Grossman.

Opening up about Cruise’s role in an Esquire interview, director Stiller revealed that it was actually his friend’s idea to play Les. “Tom Cruise had the idea to play Les Grossman in the movie,” Stiller says. “That part did not exist. He said, ‘Well, there’s no studio executive and that would be really fun to be that guy.’ And he had this whole idea of what the guy should look like. It was his idea to dance. And I remember when we did a makeup test, someone handed him a Diet Coke and then he just started moving.”

Cruise certainly committed to the role. In a 2019 interview with Conan O’Brien, he recalled that his two stipulations for the role were that he wanted “fat hands”, and he wanted to dance. Wearing a fat suit, prosthetic hands and a bald cap, he was virtually unrecognisable as the suave Hollywood star the world knew, dancing to Ludacris’s “Get Back” one moment, screaming at a film crew the next (OK, the latter sounds more familiar after his notorious Mission Impossible diatribe in 2020 ). For many watching Tropic Thunder at the cinema, it wasn’t apparent that Cruise was behind the character until the end credits began to roll.

The film itself was controversial, not least for Robert Downey Jr’s performance, which involved wearing blackface to play method-loving Australian actor, Kirk Lazarus. Cruise’s character was also scrutinised: the New York Times noted how Grossman was “heavily and heavy-handedly coded as Jewish…the character is murderous, repellent and fascinating, a grotesque from his swollen fingers to the heavy gold dollar sign nestled on his yeti-furred chest”.

Yet audiences adored Cruise in the movie, and in the years since, his performance in Tropic Thunde r has been widely credited for “resurrecting” his career, along with proving he could do comedy, as well as action. Since then, fans have been begging Cruise to reprise the role, and it seems they might actually get their wish. Last year, in a Deadline report about him and his regular collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, it was claimed that the duo are “fixated” on the character of Les Grossman, and are working out how best to bring him back.

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Ben Stiller's incredible impression of Tom Cruise has just gone viral 22 years on

An old clip has resurfaced of Ben Stiller doing an impression of Tom Cruise and it's truly the most joyful thing you'll see today.

Stiller parodied Cruise in Mission Impossible while at the MTV Movie Awards in 2000 and the Top Gun actor was genuinely caught off-guard.

The pair sat down for an interview as Stiller, who was dressed in a matching outfit, joked they'd worked together so long they could 'finish each other's sentences', before mimicking Cruise's every move.

Outstanding.

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Why ben stiller wanted to cut tom cruise's tropic thunder dance.

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Tom Cruise's Tropic Thunder dance is one of the most famous scenes from the movie, but director Ben Stiller had to be talked into filming it. Tropic Thunder is a 2008 all-star action-comedy, where a group of pampered movie stars making a Vietnam war movie run afoul of a drug cartel in the Golden Triangle. The movie received mostly good reviews and was a solid hit, but while it can be genuinely hilarious in its parody of Hollywood moviemaking, it attracted controversy for elements like Robert Downey Jr's character - an intense method actor - donning blackface to play a role.

Tropic Thunder  cast Tom Cruise in a surprise cameo as Les Grossman, the monstrous producer behind the movie the actors are filming. Cruise was going through something of a slow period in his career prior to Tropic Thunder , with 2006's Mission: Impossible III proving to be the lowest-grossing of the series while award baiting drama Lions For Lambs also underperformed. While Grossman is ultimately a small role, Cruise's sheer commitment to the role and endless stream of quotable dialogue made him a highlight.

Related: Edge of Tomorrow Is Tom Cruise's Best Chance At Another Mission: Impossible

Tom Cruise donned lots of prosthetics to portray Len, including a fat suit and a bald cap. Some viewers didn't even realize it was Cruise in the role until Tropic Thunder's credits, which also featured arguably the movie's comic highlight. This sees Grossman, bathing in the awards success of the movie he produced, pulling off some wicked dance moves in his office set to Ludacris’s “Get Back.” In 2019 Cruise reflected on the movie during an interview with Conan O'Brien, and revealed Ben Stiller was VERY hesitant about the dance and most of the actor's ideas for the part.

When Stiller first offered Cruise Les Grossman, it was the latter's suggestion for the character to dance and have " fat hands ." The director didn't quite gel with these ideas and asked if Cruise could just play the role looking like himself with zero dancing. Cruise followed his instincts for Tropic Thunder and decided to do a make-up test for Stiller, which included doing some dance moves. Stiller was still doubtful as he watched Cruise perform without any backing music, but afterward when took footage from this test and cut it to "Get Back," he realized he had gold.

The positive reaction to Cruise's role in Tropic Thunder almost led to the creation of a Les Grossman spinoff, but while a script was developed it yet to happen. It's strange that one of the most iconic moments in the comedy hit almost didn't happen, but it's a testament to Tom Cruise's commitment to a bit that it's still so fondly remembered.

Next: Tropic Thunder: Why RDJ's Blackface Wasn't Controversial

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Ben Stiller & Tom Cruise: The New Hardy Boys?

Will Tom Cruise resort to comedy in an effort to salvage his semi-damaged image? And if so, is Ben Stiller to be his partner in hilarity?

TMZ.com is reporting that Tom Cruise might star in a movie called "The Hardy Men" with Ben Stiller. It’s a comedy about the now-grown-up Hardy Boys who reunite to solve a crime. If the flick moves forward, the director will probably be Shawn Levy , the " Pink Panther " and " Night at the Museum " helmer who also just landed the "Flash" gig.

In very related news, it seems that Mr. Stiller is currently working on a comedy called "Tropic Thunder," which is a parody of " Mission: Impossible "-style techie adventures — and the comedian won’t give up on trying to get Mr. Cruise to pop up in that flick. Make a little fun of the Ethan Hunt character just a little bit and all that.

Me, I don’t see it. I’m thinking if Cruise "goes funny" right now, it’d feel like pretty forced, as in "Look how normal I am!" Plus we all know Tom Cruise can be funny when he wants to be. " Magnolia " and " Collateral " come to mind. Oh, and " Legend " although not for the same reasons.

Plus there was that funny old MTV sketch in which Stiller played stuntman Tom Crooze… Oh, so that’s why they’re buddies now!

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Ben Stiller Confirms Tom Cruise Invented Tropic Thunder's Les Grossman Entirely on His Own

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If you were one of the lucky filmgoers who saw Tropic Thunder on the big screen back in 2008, you left theaters with one image: Tom Cruise , almost unrecognizable, shaking his ass to Ludacris's "Get Back" during the end credits.

Known mostly for taking dramatic parts at the time, the world was surprised to see Cruise don prosthetics and go full-send into spoofdom to become Les Grossman, the evil studio executive pulling the strings behind Tropic Thunder 's film-within-a-film. Now, in a new interview for Esquire's "Explain This" video series Ben Stiller —who directed and starred in Tropic Thunder— opened up about Cruise's antics as Grossman. "Tom Cruise had the idea to play Les Grossman in the movie," Stiller says. "That part did not exist. He said, 'Well, there's no studio executive and that would be really fun to be that guy. And he had this whole idea of what the guy should look like. It was his idea to dance. And I remember when we did a makeup test, someone handed him a Diet Coke and then he just started moving."

Stiller's story matches what Cruise told told BBC Radio 1 back in 2017. "I read the script, and he had all of the characters, but the studio wasn’t there," he said. "There was a structural compression missing down on those characters, you know, that keeps the pressure on these guys that really drives the story. I was like, 'You need the studio.'"

We're still waiting for an update on the reported Les Grossman solo movie , but the image of Tom Cruise tripping out on Diet Coke will tide us over for now. You can watch Stiller's full "Explain This" interview above. Below? We left a little something for you to relive.

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The 11 best Tom Cruise movies, ranked

T he term “movie star” is thrown around a little loosely these days. Actors appear in one big blockbuster, and suddenly they’re thrust into celebrity status for the foreseeable future. There are very few performers who have stood the test of time and created hits for decades. Sometimes, though, it works out. Tom Cruise fits this definition as well as any actor who’s ever lived.

Cruise puts his all into his performances and movies, doing a majority of the stunts himself without a body double and funding his films through his own production company. While he may not have the Academy Awards of Jack Nicholson or Al Pacino, he’s been arguably the defining actor of the action genre since the mid-1980s.

We’re here to help you sort out which Tom Cruise movies you should watch next to get the full picture of his career. From his early dramatic turns in legal dramas and sports films  to his franchise work in Top Gun and Mission: Impossible , there are plenty of options to enjoy the best Tom Cruise movies.

11. Minority Report (2002)

• Duration: 145m
• Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Thriller
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow
• Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Minority Report is a science-fiction thriller set in 2054 Washington D.C., where the police use a special unit called Precrime, which apprehends criminals for murders they haven’t committed yet. This precognitive ability comes from three mentally altered humans called “precogs” who can foresee glimpses of the future. The film stars Tom Cruise as John Anderton, the head of Precrime. He’s highly respected for his work in eliminating crime. Anderton’s world is turned upside down when the precogs predict that he will, himself, commit a future murder. Believing he’s innocent, Anderton becomes a fugitive and must figure out why he was targeted and how to stop the crime from happening. He teams up with a woman who understands the limitations of the precog system, and together, they race against time to uncover the truth.

Watch on Amazon

10. Jack Reacher (2012)

• Duration: 130m
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Action
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins
• Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie

Amazon Prime Video released its TV adaptation of the famous Lee Child novels to sufficient acclaim in 2022, but Tom Cruise was the first actor to take on the role of Jack Reacher in this fun and flashy 2012 flick. Some hardcore fans of the franchise were unhappy about the casting choice of the hero, as Cruise doesn’t physically fit the description of the hulking protagonist from the books. Still, it’s hard to argue against Cruise starring in a film in which the main character shoots the bad guys and saves the day.

9. Vanilla Sky (2001)

• Duration: 136m
• Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction, Drama, Romance, Fantasy, Thriller
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz
• Directed by: Cameron Crowe

Vanilla Sky is a unique combination between several different genres that Tom Cruise usually appears in, given that it takes advantage of science fiction and thriller elements. Cruise plays David Aames, a man whose story is told through a psychologist after a car accident nearly ends his life. The film also features Cameron Diaz, Penélope Cruz, and Kurt Russell. This is a film you should check out if you like ambiguous endings and uneasy storytelling that makes you feel like you’re in a dream state.

8. The Firm (1993)

• Duration: 154m
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman
• Directed by: Sydney Pollack

One of the earliest films in Tom Cruise’s career, The Firm is based on one of the best novels ever written by John Grisham. Although not as acclaimed as the book, this film, directed by Sydney Pollack, delivers on the same thrills, twists, and turns of the source material. Cruise plays a brilliant young attorney who gets in over his head at a law firm that is hiding more than it seems. Gene Hackman and Holly Hunter gave great supporting performances, the latter of which helped Hunter receive an Academy Award nomination.

7. War of the Worlds (2005)

• Duration: 117m
• Genre: Adventure, Thriller, Science Fiction
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin

This film is one of the most famous adaptations of the classic alien invasion story by H.G. Wells. Stephen Spielberg directed this special effects spectacle and placed Tom Cruise exquisitely in the lead role. Cruise plays a protective father very well here, adding some human substance to a film that often gets critiqued for its overreliance on computer-generated imagery. This was one of the highest-grossing movies of 2005.

6. Tropic Thunder (2008)

• Duration: 107m
• Genre: Action, Comedy, Adventure, War
• Stars: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.
• Directed by: Ben Stiller

Tom Cruise’s part in Tropic Thunder isn’t as big as the roles played by some of the other big names like Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller, but fans still get excited at the thought of his performance. He plays a satirical take on a crazed Hollywood executive. This movie is often considered inappropriate for modern viewing, given its spoof on blackface, but it remains a cult classic.

5. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

• Genre: Drama, War
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Raymond J. Barry, Caroline Kava
• Directed by: Oliver Stone

War films are something of a necessity for legendary male actors in Hollywood. Nobody’s portfolio is complete without machine guns, atomic bombs, and the American flag waving patriotically in the background. Tom Cruise is no different here in his first Academy Award-nominated role was as Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic. Cruise expertly gives credence and perspective to Kovic’s memoir, which the film was based upon. Kyra Sedgwick and Willem Dafoe do excellent supporting work throughout the movie.

Watch on Apple TV+

4. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

• Duration: 131m
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg

We could have chosen any of the Mission: Impossible films to put into this list, but the 2015 installment has just the right mix of exciting action and interesting storytelling to draw viewers to the screen and keep their attention for the duration of the film. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation was able to keep people enthralled and anticipatory of more movies in the franchise at a time when movie-goers could have gotten bored with the series otherwise.

Watch on Paramount+

3. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

• Genre: Action, Drama
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller
• Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

We could have chosen the original Top Gun film here, but the most recent sequel is an even better Tom Cruise blockbuster than the classic 1980s hit. Cruise reprises his role as Pete Mitchell in all of his action-packed, perfectly shot glory. Top Gun: Maverick is, surprisingly, the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s career, which in itself is a testament to his longevity and devotion to summer movie fun.

2. Jerry Maguire (1996)

• Duration: 139m
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, Cuba Gooding Jr.

The film known for spawning catchphrases like “Show me the money!” is more than just a few iconic lines. Following the relationship between the titular sports agent and football player Rod Tidwell, this film incorporates many different genres, such as sports, business, drama, and romance. Cuba Gooding Jr. supports Cruise impeccably throughout the movie, which was nominated for several Academy Awards.

1. Rain Man (1988)

• Duration: 134m
• Genre: Drama
• Stars: Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, Valeria Golino
• Directed by: Barry Levinson

It’s ironic that Tom Cruise’s best movie is one in which he plays a supporting role. This perfectly demonstrates Cruise’s incredible versatility and his willingness to step outside of his normal genre work that would eventually define his career. Cruise plays Charlie Babbitt, a young man who bonds with his autistic brother, Raymond, throughout the film. Rain Man is one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the 1980s, and fans still enjoy the chemistry that Cruise has with cast mate Dustin Hoffman, who won an Academy Award for his role in this film.

The post The 11 best Tom Cruise movies, ranked appeared first on The Manual .

9 Brat Pack Movies Streaming Now and Where to Watch Them

After you watch the “Brats” doc, you can queue up “St. Elmo’s Fire” and more films with Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe

If you want to watch more Brat Pack movies after catching Andrew McCarthy’s “Brats” documentary , you’re in luck: “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “Weird Science” are also now streaming on Hulu.

You can also check out movies you might have missed starring Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore and other Pack-adjacent actors, including John Cusack, Timothy Hutton and Matthew Broderick.

Here are nine more Brat Pack-era movies available to stream on Hulu:

Weird Science (1985)

Anthony Michael Hall and pals somehow create the ideal woman (model Kelly LeBrock) with their Memotech MTX512 computer. Shenanigans, naturally, ensue. Keep an eye out for supporting players Robert Downey Jr. and Bill Paxton — and Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth.

St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)

Recent college grads — played by Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Mare Winningham and Andrew McCarthy — flirt, fight and have dramatic breakdowns in this Joel Schumacher classic. Also: Nelson plays a Yuppie and Lowe (sporting one dangling earring) plays the saxophone.

Blue City (1986)

Billy Turner (Judd Nelson) is a drifter who returns to his hometown to find that his father has been mysteriously murdered. Future “NYPD Blue” and “CSI: Miami” star David Caruso plays his best friend Joey and Ally Sheedy plays Joey’s sister Annie, who falls for Billy. Sadly, the movie got scathing reviews and was nominated for seven Razzies .

“About Last Night” (1986)

Demi Moore and Rob Lowe play lovers Debbie and Danny in this adaptation of David Mamet’s 1974 off Broadway play “Sexual Perversity in Chicago.” It was remade in 2014 with Joy Bryant and Michael Ealy taking over the lead roles.

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

Was Matthew Broderick part of the Brat Pack? Maybe not, but he does headline this John Hughes comedy about a high school schemer and his friends who have the most epic day playing hooky in Chicago. There’s a parade, museums, fine dining and a spectacular car mishap, plus a Charlie Sheen cameo.

Fresh Horses (1988)

“Pretty in Pink” costars Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy reteamed for this little-seen drama about doomed love: He’s an engineering student and she’s an underage country girl named Jewel who might already be married. Keep an eye out for Viggo Mortensen and Ben Stiller in smaller roles.

Taps (1981)

Timothy Hutton, fresh off his Oscar from “Ordinary People,” stars with Tom Cruise (in his second film appearance) and Sean Penn (in his film debut) as military school students who refuse to let their academy be bulldozed. The situation dramatically escalates from there.

Say Anything (1989)

Even if you’ve never seen this early Cameron Crowe comedy, you’re surely familiar with John Cusack’s boombox moment, in which he tries to woo back Ione Skye. The cast of this Gen X-classic includes Cusack, Eric Stoltz and Lili Taylor, who can’t stop writing songs about her jerk of an ex named Joe (Loren Dean).

Betsy’s Wedding (1990)

Molly Ringwald made more than one movie about wedding woes: She stars as the bride, whose working class father (Alan Alda, who also directed) feels compelled to stage an elaborate wedding to impress the wealthy parents of the groom (Dylan Walsh). Plus, “Clue” star Madeline Kahn plays the mother of the bride.

“Brats” is now streaming on Hulu.

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Robert Downey Jr. Is Open to a Tropic Thunder Sequel

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Uncharted 2 With Tom Holland & Mark Wahlberg Gets Exciting Update From Sony

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Marvel star and Academy Award nominee Robert Downey Jr. is open to reprising the role of method actor Kirk Lazarus in a sequel to the 2008 action comedy hit, Tropic Thunder . So long as he can share some screen time with Tom Cruise. Speaking with ExtraTV , Downey Jr. is asked if, like Cruise, he would like to return for a Tropic Thunder 2 , with the actor offering a promising reply...

“Look, all I’ll say is this, Tom Cruise and I have not done a project yet together. And that’s kind of a yes, and then we’ll figure out what the title is.”

While both Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise feature in the first Tropic Thunder , the A-list pair don’t share the screen at any point. Clearly, Downey Jr. is eager to rectify this, and if Tropic Thunder 2 is the project to do that, then so be it.

Released in 2008 and directed by Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder follows Stiller as pampered action superstar Tugg Speedman, who sets out for Southeast Asia to take part in the biggest, most-expensive war movie produced. But, soon after filming begins, he and his co-stars, Oscar-winner Kirk Lazarus, comic Jeff Portnoy, and the rest of the crew, must become real soldiers when fighting breaks out in that part of the jungle.

Featuring an all-star cast that includes Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Cruise alongside Stiller and Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder was met with positive reviews ( despite several controversies ), even garnering an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Downey Jr.

RELATED: Movies That Made 2008 A Great Year For Comedy

Tom Cruise Would Love to Reprise the Role of Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder 2

The question asked of Robert Downey Jr. stems from Cruise, and his desire to reprise the role of sleazy studio executive Les Grossman in a Tropic Thunder sequel. The Hollywood leading man has already brought the character back once for an appearance at the MTV Movie Awards back in 2010 and again in 2020, but thinks it would be “fun” to bring Les Grossman back to the big screen.

"I don't know. I did Les Grossman for the MTV Awards ... We'll have to see, that could be fun. I really don't know, at this moment,” Cruise said in May last year . “I'm just enjoying this night, I gotta finish [the Mission: Impossible sequels], you know what I mean? I'm enjoying this night, I'm gonna put all my Mission stuff away for a moment to just breathe tonight."

While further news on a further Tropic Thunder adventure has been limited, it has since been reported that Cruise is developing a Les Grossman-related project with frequent collaborator and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One director Christopher McQuarrie. Could we see an appearance from Downey Jr.’s Kirk Lazarus? Let’s hope so.

Robert Downey Jr. can next be seen starring alongside every other actor in Hollywood apart from Tom Cruise in director Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer , which is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom and United States on July 21, 2023, by Universal Pictures.

• Tropic Thunder (2008)
• Robert Downey Jr.

Actor Tom Cruise is the star of several box-office hits, including Risky Business , A Few Good Men , The Firm , Jerry Maguire , and the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Who Is Tom Cruise?

Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, better known as Tom Cruise, was born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, to Mary and Thomas Mapother. Cruise's mother was an amateur actress and schoolteacher, and his father was an electrical engineer. His family moved around a great deal when Cruise was a child to accommodate his father's career.

Cruise's parents divorced when he was 11, and the children moved with their mother to Louisville, Kentucky, and then to Glen Ridge, New Jersey, after she remarried. Like his mother and three sisters, Cruise suffered from dyslexia, which made academic success difficult for him. He excelled in athletics, however, and considered pursuing a career in professional wrestling until a knee injury sidelined him during high school.

At age 14, Cruise enrolled in a Franciscan seminary with thoughts of becoming a priest, but he left after a year. When he was 16, a teacher encouraged him to participate in the school's production of the musical Guys and Dolls . After Cruise won the lead of Nathan Detroit, he found himself surprisingly at home on the stage, and a career was born.

'Taps,' 'The Outsiders'

Cruise set a 10-year deadline for himself in which to build an acting career. He left school and moved to New York City, struggling through audition after audition before landing an appearance in 1981's Endless Love , starring Brooke Shields. Around this same time, he snagged a small role in the military school drama Taps (1981), co-starring Sean Penn .

His role in Taps was upgraded after director Harold Becker saw Cruise's potential, and his performance caught the attention of a number of critics and filmmakers. In 1983, Cruise appeared in Francis Ford Coppola 's The Outsiders , which also starred Emilio Estevez , Matt Dillon and Rob Lowe —all prominent members of a group of young actors the entertainment press dubbed the "Brat Pack." The film was not well received, but it allowed Cruise to work with an acclaimed director on a high-profile project.

'Risky Business'

His next film, Risky Business (1983), grossed $65 million. It also made Cruise a highly recognizable actor — thanks in no small part to a memorable scene of the young star dancing in his underwear.

In 1986, after a two-year hiatus, the budding actor released the big-budget fantasy film Legend , which did poorly at the box office. That same year, however, Cruise's A-list status was confirmed with the release of Top Gun , which co-starred Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards and Meg Ryan . The testosterone-fueled action-romance, set against the backdrop of an elite naval flight school, became the highest-grossing film of 1986.

'The Color of Money,' 'Rain Man' and 'Born on the Fourth of July'

Cruise followed the tremendous success of Top Gun with a string of both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. He first starred in The Color of Money (1986) with co-star Paul Newman , and then went on to work with Dustin Hoffman on Rain Man (1988). Cruise's next role, as Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic in the biopic Born on the Fourth of July (1989), earned him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

'A Few Good Men,' 'The Firm' and 'Interview with a Vampire'

In 1992, Cruise proved once more that he could hold his own opposite a screen legend when he co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the military courtroom drama A Few Good Men . The film grossed more than $15 million its first weekend and earned Cruise a Golden Globe nomination. He continued to demonstrate his success as a leading man with The Firm (1993) and Interview with a Vampire (1994), which co-starred Brad Pitt.

'Mission: Impossible,' 'Jerry McGuire'

Next, Cruise hit the big screen with two huge hits—the $64 million blockbuster Mission: Impossible (1996), which the star also produced, and the highly acclaimed Jerry McGuire (1996), directed by Cameron Crowe. For the latter, Cruise earned a second Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe for Best Actor.

'Eyes Wide Shut,' 'Magnolia'

Cruise and then-wife Kidman spent much of 1997 and 1998 in England shooting Eyes Wide Shut , an erotic thriller that would be director Stanley Kubrick 's final film. The movie came out in the summer of 1999 to mixed reviews, but that year Cruise enjoyed greater success with the release of Magnolia . His performance as a self-confident sex guru in the ensemble film earned him another Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

'Vanilla Sky,' 'The Last Samurai'

Cruise then starred in the long-awaited smash hit Mission: Impossible 2 in 2000, alongside Anthony Hopkins , Thandie Newton and Ving Rhames. In 2002, he starred in Vanilla Sky , his second collaboration with Crowe, as well as Steven Spielberg 's Minority Report . The following year, Cruise traveled to Australia to shoot the $100 million war epic The Last Samurai, which earned him another Golden Globe nomination.

'War of the Worlds'

Cruise proved he remained a top draw by starring in the Spielberg-directed remake of the science-fiction classic War of the Worlds (2005), which grossed more than $230 million at the box office.

His next effort, Mission: Impossible 3 (2006), also scored well with audiences. However, Cruise was faced with a professional setback in August when Paramount Pictures ended its 14-year relationship with the actor. The company's chairman cited Cruise's erratic behavior and controversial views as the reason for the split, though industry experts noted that Paramount more likely ended the partnership over Cruise's high earnings from the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Cruise quickly rebounded and on November 2, 2006, he announced his new partnership with film executive Paula Wagner and the United Artists film studio. Their first production as a team, the political drama Lions for Lambs (2007), proved a commercial disappointment despite a strong cast that included Meryl Streep and Robert Redford .

'Tropic Thunder'

Taking a break from weighty material, Cruise delighted audiences with his performance in the comedy Tropic Thunder (2008). Despite his relatively small role in a movie that featured Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller , Cruise stood out by obscuring his trademark good looks to play a balding, obese movie studio executive.

'Valkyrie,' 'Rock of Ages'

In December 2008, Cruise released his second project through United Artists. The film, Valkyrie , was a World War II drama about a plot to assassinate German leader Adolf Hitler . Cruise starred as a German army officer who became involved in the conspiracy.

Cruise returned to one of his most popular franchises in 2011 with Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol . Breaking into new territory, he then starred in the 2012 musical Rock of Ages . Although Cruise received some positive reviews for his performance as a rock star, the movie failed to attract much of an audience.

'Jack Reacher,' 'Edge of Tomorrow'

Returning to his mainstream action roots, Cruise starred in the 2012 crime drama Jack Reacher , based on a book by Lee Child. He then headlined a pair of science-fiction adventures, Oblivion (2013) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014). Showing no signs of slowing down, the veteran actor in 2015 delivered his usual high-energy performance for the fifth installment of his blockbuster franchise, Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation .

Latest Movies and Familiar Franchises

In 2016, Cruise reprised the role of Jack Reacher for Never Go Back . He then headlined a reboot of The Mummy (2017), which performed respectably at the box office but was savaged by critics, before earning better reviews later that year for the crime thriller American Made .

2018 brought a return to familiar territory for Cruise, who starred in Mission Impossible —Fallout that summer. Prior to its release, he tweeted a photo to mark day 1 of production on the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick , scheduled for a June 2020 release.

Scientology and Personal Life

Cruise married actress Mimi Rogers in 1987. It was through Rogers that the actor became a student of Scientology, the religion founded by writer L. Ron Hubbard. Cruise credited the church with curing his dyslexia, and he soon became one of its leading proponents. However, while his spiritual life flourished, his marriage to Rogers ended in 1990. That same year, Cruise made the racecar drama Days of Thunder alongside Kidman. Though the movie was unpopular among critics and fans alike, the two lead actors had real chemistry. On Christmas Eve 1990, after a brief courtship, Cruise and Kidman married in Telluride, Colorado.

Divorce from Kidman

For much of the 1990s, Cruise and Kidman found themselves fiercely defending the happiness and legitimacy of their marriage. They filed two different lawsuits against tabloid publications for stories they considered libelous. In each case, the couple received a published retraction and apology, along with a large monetary settlement which they donated to charity. The couple has two children, Isabella and Connor.

On February 5, 2001, Cruise and Kidman announced their separation after 11 years of marriage. The couple cited the difficulties involved with two acting careers and the amount of time spent apart while working. Following the divorce, Cruise briefly dated his Vanilla Sky co-star Penelope Cruz , followed by a much-publicized relationship with actress Katie Holmes. A month after his ties to Holmes became public, Cruise professed his love for the actress in a now-famous appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, during which he jumped on Winfrey's sofa, shouting "Yes!"

Marriage to Katie Holmes

In June 2005, after a two-month courtship, Cruise proposed to Holmes in a restaurant at the top of the Eiffel tower. In October, they announced that they were expecting their first child together. The hasty proposal and surprise pregnancy quickly became tabloid gossip. But Cruise made even bigger headlines that year as an outspoken advocate for Scientology. He openly criticized former co-star Brooke Shields for using anti-depressants during her recovery from postpartum depression. He also denounced psychiatry and modern medicine, claiming Scientology held the key to true healing. Cruise's statements led to a heated argument with news anchor Matt Lauer on The Today Show in June 2005, for which Cruise later apologized.

In 2006, Cruise and Holmes welcomed daughter Suri into the world. That year, they were married in an Italian castle, with celebrities Will Smith , Jada Pinkett Smith , Jennifer Lopez and Victoria and David Beckham among those in attendance. However, the storybook romance wouldn't last, and in June 2012, the couple announced their separation.

QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1962
• Birth date: July 3, 1962
• Birth State: New York
• Birth City: Syracuse
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Actor Tom Cruise is the star of several box-office hits, including 'Risky Business,' 'A Few Good Men,' 'The Firm,' 'Jerry Maguire' and the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise.
• Astrological Sign: Cancer

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Tom Cruise Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/tom-cruise
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: March 26, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 3, 2014

The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us

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Barron Trump: College or gap year? Other class of 2024 celebrity grads, 'nepo babies'

Will barron trump go to the university of pennsylvania like his father donald trump, georgetown like his siblings or nyu.

High school, check. Next up? College.

Like thousands of children across the U.S., Barron Trump , the only child of former president Donald Trump and former first lady Melania  Trump, received his high school diploma and was branded part of the class of 2024. Barron Trump graduated May 17, 2024, from Oxbridge Academy near West Palm Beach, Florida, and both parents attended.

Will Barron Trump go to college ? Will the 6-foot-7 former first son take a gap year? The former first couple has not said much. One possibility could be New York University in Manhattan, where Barron Trump spent much of his childhood — and lived until his father was sworn in as the 45th president in early 2017.

As of Friday, June 14, it has not been announced where Barron Trump will attend college , but, like many other celebrity children or "nepo babies" − a shortened slang term (aka "nepotism baby") used to describe children or relatives of celebrities or famous people − people are curious about their future and whether they'll follow in their famous parents' footsteps.

Here's a look at other class of 2024 celebrity children and where they're headed to college in fall 2024. Keep scrolling for a roundup of class of 2024 celebrity children or celebrity college graduates, too. Some of the famous people listed have a Florida tie .

A towering figure. Wow! How tall is Barron Trump? Compare his height with other celebrities

Suri Cruise, daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise

Suri Cruise, the only child of Tom Cruise ("Mission Impossible" films, "Top Gun Maverick") and Katie Holmes ("Dawson's Creek," "Batman Begins"), graduated from LaGuardia High School in June 2024.

According to an E! Online story on June 7, 2024 , speculation on where Suri Cruise plans to go to college surfaced after a classmate posted a TikTok on May 20 with the caption "LaG commitment day," showing Suri and her friends celebrating their school picks and showing off their college sweaters. E! Online reports the video, which is private, was set to the Hannah Montana song "I'll Always Remember You" and featured the 18-year-old "sporting a red Carnegie Mellon University sweater while making silly faces for the camera and doing a cute dance with her friends."

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were married from 2006 to 2012. Cruise, who has two other adult children (Isabella Cruise and Connor Cruise) with ex-wife Nicole Kidman, has had a condo in Florida for many years.

Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany: As Barron Trump college choice looms, here's where his family graduated (and who didn't)

Ryder Fieri, son of Food Network star Guy Fieri

Ryder Fieri, the youngest son of Food Network star Guy Fieri ("Guy's Grocery Games," "Tournament of Champions") and his wife, Lori, graduated from Windsor High School in Windsor, California, in June 2024.

Ryder Fieri played basketball and lacrosse for the Windsor Jaguars, according to maxpreps.com . His celebrity chef father, Guy Fieri, complimented his son on his sports achievements and GPA in an Instagram post − and some famous people responded to the news, including Sammy Hagar, Iron Chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Michael Symon .

Since 2021, Food Network star Guy Fieri doubled down on South Florida , purchasing homes in Lake Worth Beach and on Singer Island near West Palm Beach. In September 2023, the Palm Beach Post reported Fieri, who signed an $80 million, three-year deal with the Food Network  in 2021, is a frequent visitor to Palm Beach County, but it was unclear whether he planned to make the area his full-time residence. He told the Bradenton Herald in 2021 that his family would stay in Northern California at least until his youngest son Ryder finished high school.

Guy Fieri has 2 homes in Florida. Get an inside look at the celebrity chef's waterfront homes here

Justin Pippen, son of Chicago Bulls star, NBA legend Scottie Pippen

Justin Pippen, the youngest son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen and Larsa Pippen, graduated from Sierra Canyon High School in California in May 2024.

Scottie Pippen, a seven-time NBA All-Star (including six with the Chicago Bulls), posted on Instagram about his son Justin Pippen, who played guard for his high school basketball team, calling himself a "proud dad." In an April 2024 story on espn.com , Justin Pippen formally committed to Michigan and will become a Wolverine in the fall. Justin Pippen chose new coach Dusty May and the Wolverines over a final list that included Cal, the University of Florida Gators, Stanford and Texas A&M, ESPN reported.

Violet Affleck, daughter of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck

Violet Affleck, the eldest child of Ben Affleck (DC's "Justice League," " Armageddon ") and Jennifer Garner (" 13 Going on 30 ," "Family Switch"), graduated from a Los Angeles-area high school on May 30, 2024.

The class of 2024 student, whose siblings are Seraphina and Samuel, looks like she's headed to Yale, according to a public post on her school's Instagram, in which Violet Affleck is seen wearing the Ivy League college sweater.

Ben Affleck as an astronaut was believeable, but ... Your favorite space movies, like "Armageddon," debunked

Moses Martin, son of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin

Moses Martin, the youngest child of Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow ("Iron Man" and "Avengers" films) and Coldplay's Chris Martin, graduated from high school on May 30, 2024.

The class of 2024 graduate has an older sister, Apple Martin. According to thecut.com, Moses Martin is headed to Brown University.

Henry Samuel, son of Heidi Klum and Seal

Henry Samuel, the eldest son of actress and Victoria Secret supermodel Heidi Klum ("America's Got Talent," "Project Runway") and singer Seal, graduated from Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica, California, on June 7, 2024.

Klum posted videos on her Instagram congratulating the 18-year-old class of 2024 student, who has a half-sister Leni Klum, and siblings Johan Samuel and Lou Samuel. Klum's caption says, "College here we come," though she did not specify which university Henry Samuel had picked.

Shepherd Seinfeld, son of Jessica and Jerry Seinfeld

Shepherd Seinfeld, the youngest son of Jessica Seinfeld and comedian Jerry Seinfeld ("Seinfeld," "Unfrosted"), graduated from high school June 10, 2024.

The class of 2024 graduate has siblings Sascha Seinfeld and Julian Seinfeld. While she didn't mention college plans for her youngest son, Jessica Seinfeld did post on Instagram her retro graduation gift to Shepherd Seinfeld: a flip phone.

Class of 2024 celebrity children college graduates

Celebrities are just like us! Who says famous parents with children can’t be excited or get the “empty nester” feeling when their child graduates from college? Here’s a roundup of class of 2024 college graduates: celebrity children or “nepo baby” edition.

Nikko Gonzalez , son of journalist Lauren Sanchez (soon to be Mrs. Jeff Bezos , one of the richest men on the planet) and her ex, former NFL player Tony Gonzalez, graduated from college in May 2024. Sanchez, Bezos and Tony Gonzalez attended the commencement ceremony. Bezos and Sanchez moved to Florida, with multiple properties in Indian Creek Village , a private neighborhood known as " Billionaire Bunker ." In 2023, USA TODAY reported Bezos said he wanted to live in Miami to be closer to his parents and the Cape Canaveral operations of  Blue Origin , his space exploration company.

Karma Bridges , daughter of actor and rapper Ludacris, real name Chris Bridges, graduated from Spelman College in May 2024. Ludacris, who appeared in several of the “Fast and Furious” films over the years, posted on Instagram about his daughter’s college graduation, adding in the caption: “Make sure you add Summa Cum Laude”

Liv Freundlich , daughter of Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore (“Still Alice,” “The Kids are All Right”) and director Bart Freundlich, graduated from Northwestern University in May 2024.

Sophia Meloni , daughter of actor Christopher Meloni (“Law and Order: SVU” and “Runaway Bride”) and wife Sherman Williams, graduated from college in May 2024. According to People magazine, Christopher Meloni’s longtime “SVU” co-star Mariska Hargitay is the godmother of Sophia Meloni, and she also attended Sophia’s college graduation.

Bridgit Mendler , the “Good Luck, Charlie” and Disney Channel star graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2020 with her master’s degree. Mendler, who recently established her startup Northwood Space, was pursuing her PhD doctorate at MIT before taking a pause, according to a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. In May 2024, however, Mendler graduated from Harvard Law School.

Massai Dorsey , son of actress Nia Long “(Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) and ex Massai Z. Dorsey, graduated from NYU in May 2024.

Ella Stiller , daughter of actress Christine Taylor (“Friends,” “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story”) and Ben Stiller (“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Night at the Museum” films), graduated from the Juilliard School in New York in May 2024.

Contributing: Antonio Fins and Kimberly Miller, Palm Beach Post

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on  Twitter  or Instagram at  @byjensangalang . Support local journalism.  Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper .

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' Daughter Suri Reveals Her College Plans

Tom cruise and katie holmes 18-year-old daughter suri cruise appeared to reveal her college plans in a tiktok video..

Tom Cruise  and  Katie Holmes ' newest mission: college.

And it seems Suri Cruise  already has big plans for her college years with a TikTok from a classmate revealing where she is headed in the fall.

In a video shared on  TikTok May 20  with the caption "LaG commitment day," Suri and her friends celebrated which schools they would headed to in the fall, showing off their college sweaters in the video set to the  Hannah Montana  song "I'll Always Remember You." And the 18-year-old could be seen sporting a red Carnegie Mellon University sweater while making silly faces for the camera and doing a cute dance with her friends.

And while Katie—who split with Tom in 2012—has expressed her desire to keep Suri out of the spotlight she has reflected on their life together. And for the Batman Begins actress, letting Suri have a private life was important because she was "so visible at a young age."

"I really like to protect her," the 45-year-old  told  Glamour  last year . "I'm very grateful to be a parent, to be her parent. She's an incredible person."

And it also meant a lot to the  Dawson's Creek  alum to have Suri sing and do background vocals on her recent projects, 2022's  Alone Together  and 2023's  Rare Objects .

"I hope she always does something on my films," Katie said. "I always ask her. But both of those experiences came out of the same sense of what I love about our industry, which is, you have these projects and you become a family with people." 

She added, "It was very meaningful to me to have her there, because she's my heart."

Katie isn't the only celeb parent who is marking a major family milestone this spring. To see which other stars are celebrating a graduate in 2024, keep reading.

Ryder Fieri

There's a new graduate in Flavortown! Guy Fieri 's son big farewell to high school with a whopping 3.7 GPA, according to the Food Network star.

"Wow what a great high school career!!" he wrote in a June 9 Instagram post . "Love you son!"

Sophia Meloni

Christopher Meloni and wife Sherman Williams  celebrated their daughter's college graduation in June 2024, with Mariska Hargitay —who is Sophia's godmother—making an appearance at the party.

Liv Moore Freundlich

Julianne Moore and her husband Bart Freundlich watched their daughter graduate from Northwestern University in June 2024. Along for the commecement ceremony? Their older son Caleb Moore Freundlich , who graduated from Davidson College in 2020.

Christian Nassif & Colin Nassif

Adrienne Maloof and Dr. Paul Nassif 's twins proved that they didn't botch high school, graduating in June 2024.

"Overwhelmed with pride for my boys," the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum wrote on Instagram , "and excited for their future adventures."

Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel

Heidi Klum and ex Seal 's eldest son graduated from a Los Angeles prep school in June 2024.

"CONGRATULATIONS HENRY," the proud mom wrote on Instagram . "We are all sooo proud of you. You did it my beautiful boy. College here we come. SHINE BRIGHT."

Finn McDermott

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott 's son Finn graduated from elementary school in June 2024. 

"And, just like that I have a 5th grade graduate…," Tori shared on Instagram . "Finn Davey I’m so proud of you! Bye elementary school and hello middle school. I love you chat! Disclaimer to the haters : Dress code was shorts FYI bc they had student/teacher kickball aka sports day right b4."

Beau McDermott

But Finn isn't the only one in the family moving on up! Tori and Dean's youngest child Beau graduated from kindergarten that same month.

"Beau Beau is officially a 1st grader," Tori raved on Instagram . "So proud of this kid! My Baby."

Mabel Willis

Emma Heming Willis and Bruce Willis ' daugther Mabel graduated from elementary school in June 2024. 

Emma shared a photo of Tallulah Willis , Scout Willis and Demi Moore sporting Mabel masks on Instagram , writing, "Middle school! Here she comes!"

Justin Pippen

Scottie Pippen 's youngest son with ex Larsa Pippen received his high school diploma in May 2024.

"Proud dad moment!" NBA star captioned a family photo, which included his and Larsa's other kids Scotty Jr. , Preston and Sophia . "Congrats, son!"

Ella Stiller

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor ’s daughter graduated with a BFA in acting from The Juilliard School in New York City.

“I couldn’t be happier to be done or prouder to have survived or more grateful to my family for the unwavering support that got me there and through," the college grad wrote on Instagram May 25. "I have a degree in playing pretend!!! Yay!!!”

Isaac Rivera

Teen Mom alum Kailyn Lowry and ex Jo Rivera 's teen son Isaac graduated from middle school.

"so many things to celebrate this week!" Kailyn wrote on Instagram June 7 . "& still processing Isaac going to high school later this year."

Massai Zhivago Dorsey II

Nia Long and Massai Z. Dorsey 's oldest son received his degree from New York University.

"Oh my baby," the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress wrote on Instagram May 20. "I’m so proud of you! Let’s get it!"

Jennifer Gates

Jennifer Gates , the eldest daughter of Bill Gates and ex-wife Melinda French Gates , graduated from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

Following her special day, the Microsoft founder shared a touching message to celebrate her achievement. 

"From pre-K to MD," Bill wrote in a May 15 Instagram post . "I'm so proud to officially call you Dr. Gates."

Emma Chamberlain

On May 31, the YouTuber—who left high school in 2017 to focus on her mental health and career as a full-time content creator— received her diploma from Notre Dame High School in Belmont, Calif.

Ivey Watson

Jamie Lynn Spears ' youngest daughter Ivey Watson , who she shares with husband Jamie Watson , graduated from kindergarten. The little one proudly held her diploma in front of her older sister Maddie Watson , who Jamie Lynn shares with ex Casey Aldridge .

Laird Stone

Sharon Stone celebrated her second son's high school graduation in May 2024.

Riley Burruss

Kandi Burruss ' daughter graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Music degree.

"My baby did it!" the Real Housewives of Atlanta alum wrote on Instagram May 15. "I'm a proud mama!"

Karma Bridges

Ludacris ' daughter graduated from Spelman College with a degree in Documentary Filmmaking in May 2024, according to Essence . The rapper said he was a " #prouddaddy " over her achievement. 

“I want to make movie and film content that helps shape and change the social and political landscape,” Karma said in a statement to the Ludacris Foundation. “Tell stories that are meaningful and thought provoking. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling due to its ability to heal, inspire, educate, create empathy, and ultimately catalyze positive change in the world.”

Avery Sehorn

Angie Harmon 's second daughter with ex Jason Sehorn received her high school diploma in June 2024, with the Rizzoli & Isles actress writing on Instagram, "We are all immensely proud of you Avery!"

"You have overcome & conquered & excelled to shine brightly with the stars," she caption a family photo, which included her other daughters Finley and Emery . "Remember to leave every place better than you found it & we are all so excited to see what God has planned for you!"

Jace Caussin

Jana Kramer 's son Jace—who she shares with ex Mike Caussin —said goodbye to Pre-K and celebrated the milestone at a mini prom.

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Paramount goes epic at cineeurope with ‘gladiator ii’ footage; highlights ‘a quiet place: day one’ & ‘transformers one’ , ben stiller & david o. russell exchange on-set “‘raging bull’-level” & “de niro-ism” stories at tribeca film festival.

By Anthony D'Alessandro

Anthony D'Alessandro

Editorial Director/Box Office Editor

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Tribeca Film Festival ‘s ode to its 2x Oscar winning co-founder Robert De Niro –De Niro Con– continued Friday night with a screening of Silver Linings Playbook with that pic’s filmmaker David O. Russell and Ben Stiller sharing their candid experiences working with the Stella Adler trained actor. Or as Stiller, who worked with De Niro in the Meet the Parents franchise coined ‘De Niro-isms.’

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“I’ll never forget the day of the big explosion when it was Jennifer vs. Bob with Bradley in the middle. It was a big scene and I was blocking it because Bob was unexpectedly a little late, which is not like him. So, I started to do this scene because everybody was there. Bob walked in and carried the energy of the scene: He yelled at me! He scared me!” recounted Russell.

“He said, ‘Hey this is a serious scene! This is a seven-page scene! No joking around!’ I said, ‘Jesus, Bob, I’m just blocking the scene.’ He was preparing himself to be that enraged. That was Raging Bull level.”

Stiller also had an interlude: “The first time I did a scene with Bob in Meet the Parents, it was the first time my character was meeting him, and he did something, and I was so nervous and he did this little ‘De Niro-ism’ and I just cracked up in his face, which is the last thing in the world I wanted to do in front of Robert De Niro for a scene I’m doing with him. But he has that effect on people – because he’s Robert De Niro.”

Russell was given the pic’s source material, a Matthew Quick novel, by the late Sydney Pollack. The Tootsie filmmaker felt that Russell had the chops to deliver both the comedy and gravitas required for a big screen adaptation. Cooper, who had just lost his father at the time, gravitated toward the story and found an on-set dad in De Niro, while Lawrence, who had not even broken out in Hunger Games yet wowed in her raw and intense taped audition. Russell said that the studio was ready to go with another actress, but he convinced them at the last minute to roll the dice on Lawrence.

Russell added about working with De Niro: “He was very meticulous in going over the script with us. He made us go over the entire script with the cast together. There were things that he asked about, things that he would change and would fix. He memorized all of his dialogue.”

The secret in the on-set chemistry per the 5x Oscar nominated filmmaker, was “you just wanted people to stop acting, so you were aiming for non-acting, you were aiming for ‘cut the bullshit’ and be real.”

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