Tom Cruise is one of the most enduring and influential actors in Hollywood history, known for his electrifying performances, relentless dedication to his craft, and record-breaking box office success. Born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, Cruise quickly rose to fame in the 1980s with breakout roles in Risky Business (1983) and Top Gun (1986), establishing himself as a charismatic leading man. Over the decades, he has demonstrated an unmatched versatility, excelling in action-packed blockbusters like the Mission: Impossible franchise, emotionally gripping dramas such as Rain Man (1988) and Jerry Maguire (1996), and critically acclaimed thrillers like Collateral (2004). A true cinematic daredevil, Cruise is renowned for performing his own high-risk stunts, including scaling the Burj Khalifa, hanging off planes mid-flight, executing precision motorcycle chases and flying his P-51 Mustang in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). His films have grossed over $11 billion worldwide, making him one of the most bankable stars of all time. Cruise shows no signs of slowing down—solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest actors to ever grace the silver screen.
QUICK FACTS
Born: July 3, 1962 in Syracuse, New York
Spouse: Katie Holmes (m. 2006-2012), Nicole Kidman (m. 1990-2001), Mimi Rogers (m. 1987-1990)
Children: Suri Cruise, Connor Cruise, Isabella Jane Cruise
Education: Johnson State College, St. Xavier High School, Glen Ridge High School, Henry Munro Middle School
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Height: 5′ 7″ (1.72 m)
Filmography
Endless Love (1981) – Billy
Taps (1981) – David Shawn
The Outsiders (1983) – Steve Randle
Losin’ It (1983) – Woody
Risky Business (1983) – Joel Goodson
All the Right Moves (1983) – Stefen Djordjevic
Legend (1985) – Jack
Top Gun (1986) – Pete “Maverick” Mitchell
The Color of Money (1986) – Vincent Lauria
Cocktail (1988) – Brian Flanigan
Rain Man (1988) – Charlie Babbitt
Born on the Fourth of July (1989) – Ron Kovic
Days of Thunder (1990) – Cole Trickle
Far and Away (1992) – Joseph Donnelly
A Few Good Men (1992) – Lt. Daniel Kaffee
The Firm (1993) – Mitch McDeere
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) – Lestat de Lioncourt
Mission: Impossible (1996) – Ethan Hunt
Jerry Maguire (1996) – Jerry Maquire
Without Limits (1998)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) – Dr. William Hartford
Magnolia (1999) – Frank T.J. Mackey
Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) – Ethan Hunt
Vanilla Sky (2001) – David Aames
Narc (2002)
Minority Report (2002) – Chief John Anderton
The Last Samurai (2003) – Capt. Nathan Algren
Collateral (2004) – Vincent
Suspect Zero (2004)
War of the Worlds (2005) – Ray Ferrier
Elizabethtown (2005)
Ask the Dust (2006)
Mission: Impossible III (2006) – Ethan Hunt
Lions for Lambs (2007) – Senator Jasper Irving
Tropic Thunder (2008) – Les Grossman
Valkyrie (2008) – Col. Claus von Stauftenberg
Knight and Day (2010) – Ray Miller
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) – Ethan Hunt
Rock of Ages (2012) – Stacee Jaxx
Jack Reacher (2012) – Jack Reacher
Oblivion (2013) – Jack Harper
Edge of Tomorrow (2014) – Maj. William Cage
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) – Ethan Hunt
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) – Jack Reacher
The Mummy (2017) – Nick Morton
American Made (2017)
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) – Ethan Hunt
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) – Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) – Ethan Hunt
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) – Ethan Hunt