Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of the most well-known American actors and film producers. The 3-time Academy Award nominee and 3-time Golden Globe winner made his feature film debut in the 1983 movie Risky Business. Another popular movie from 1986, Top Gun, helped make Cruise a household name in the acting business. Cruise has since gone on to play some great roles and has starred in such prominent films as the Mission Impossible (MI) series, Jerry McGuire, The Color of Money, Cocktail, A Few Good Men, Rain Man, Days of Thunder, The Firm, Interview with the Vampire and more.

Cruise is not only a celebrated actor but he is also a well-established film producer and is recognized by leading Hollywood types as one of the most powerful names in the movie-making business. His name alone can help make a movie money. In 2006, Forbes ranked Cruise as the most powerful celebrity.

Life did not always come so easy to Cruise. He moved 15 times in 12 years as a kid. His parents divorced after years of discontent. Cruise maintains that he suffered from child abuse as a child and merciless ridicule from his father. Still, he learned the value of work ethic as he worked a newspaper delivery route to help is mom put food on the table. Acting became a part of his life when an injury left him unable to play sports in high school, so he turned to school plays.

Cruise’s relentless dedication to his craft as an actor helped net him several $20 million-plus acting gigs. His prowess as a producer and his determination to help make great pictures shows his business savvy and understanding of his industry. The drive to always learn more and to continue to grow is what has made Cruise a big target, not only as an actor, but by other big name actors who want to be a part of Tom Cruise film productions.