This week I take a look at the many roles of Tom Cruise. Whatever your opinion about him off the screen, you can’t deny he has been a very succesful actor, starring in many blockbusters. He was born in 1962 in Syracuse, New York and his family moved to Canada for a while where he attended public school. Attending Henry Munro Middle School he was introduced to drama and starred in plays. He briefly was planning to become a priest, but ended up acting again. In 1981 he appeared in his first movie, Taps, and was the leading man in Risky Business in 1983. It was his breakthrough and since then he has quickly climbed the ladder of success, making him one of the best paid actors in the business. He’s also known for doing his own stunts, with the last Mission Impossible movie being an example.
Now before telling you my favorite role I have to admit that I almost always feel like I’m watching Tom Cruise, not the character he is playing. The one exception is his role in Magnolia where he seemed so different. It also took me almost all of Tropic Thunder before I realised he also played in that film.
What is your favorite Tom Cruise role?
Oh and of course I can’t forget his trademark running, which he seems to do in basically every movie he’s in:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0S5ErGZKG4]
Sorry Nostra, Mr Cruise is one of the actors I have on my HATE list Lolz…
Happy Friday though
Scott, you really should do a post on your HATE list. I’m curious! Recently you hated quite a lot of them that were featured here ๐
Mission Impossible of course. Yeah, he’s great actor
That’s a great choice, most recognisable for most people I think…
Love the video!
Thanks!
It’s funny because I just posted a Top 5 Tom Cruise performances list today. My favorite role is Frank T.J. Mackay from Magnolia, with a close second being Vincent from Collateral.
What a coincidence! Yeah, he was great in Collateral as well, he should do more bad guy roles!
Man, I have a really hard time naming my fave one of his. Not that he is a fave actor of mine, I just can’t name one that would be my favorite…
a great choice for Friday!
No problem T, he has been in so many great movies it is though to pick one ๐
Y’know, he’s gotten flak lately because of his scientology madness but I must admit this man knows how to play the game, I mean he’s still on top in Hollywood after all these years! He’s also got such a stunning face to make up for his stocky build, I mean that picture, wow he sure is gorgeous!
As for my fave Cruise roles, hmmm I think it’d be in Mission Impossible, Collateral and for old time’s sake, Top Gun.
Great choices Ruth!
Wow, Cruise. Always will be Jerry Maguire. But his most surprising role for me is in Magnolia, frightening, intense and infuriating.
๐ Not surprised you picked Jerry Maguire. He was different in Magnolia, wasn’t he…
I think my favorite of his is Collateral. Playing against type and all ๐ But I generally like Tom Cruise despite his off-screen antics.
Yeah, I think he’s best when he plays against type as he has to stretch himself a bit more…
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