Considered by some to be Hollywood’s last action hero, Tom Cruise is currently flying high as his sequel to “Top Gun” is one of the biggest box-office hits of 2022. As he approaches his 60th birthday next weekend, we decided to take a look back at Cruise’s career and share some interesting facts about the actor.
Check out the slideshow below to learn more about his past, see photos of Tom Cruise over the years and much more.
10 things you might not know about Tom Cruise
The skyline is seen on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)AP
1. He was almost born on the 4th of July
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV was born in Syracuse, NY on July 3, 1962
2. He spent several years living in Canada
Cruise’s family spent time living in Ottawa when his father took a job as a defense consultant. They moved back to the U.S. after his parents divorced.
3. He could have been Fr. Tom
Cruise spent some time studying at a seminary in Cincinnati before deciding to pursue an acting career.
Actor Tom Cruise poses with his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, Oct. 16, 1986. Cruise starred in 'Risky Business' and 'Top Gun,' and will be starring with Paul Newman in 'The Color of Money.' (AP Photo/Nick Ut)AP
4. Career highlights
Tom’s first film role came with ‘Endless Love’ in 1981. ‘Top Gun’ was his first major action blockbuster in 1986. He starred in the first of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ films in 1996.
U.S. actor William Mapother, cousin of actor Tom Cruise arrives at a restaurant for dinner with Cruise and his fiancee U.S. actress Katie Holmes in Rome, Thursday Nov. 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)AP
4. His cousin is also an actor
Cruise has appeared in multiple films with his cousin William Mapother, including “Rain Man” and “Born on the Fourth of July”
Photos of Tom Cruise with Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes. (AP)
5. His leading ladies
Tom has been married three times, first to Mimi Rogers in 1987 and followed by Nicole Kidman in 1990. He and Katie Holmes married in 2006 and divorced in 2012. He’s also dated actresses Penelope Cruz and Rebecca De Mornay.
Photos of Tom Cruise with his children, Connor and Isabella and with daughter Suri. (AP)
6. The next generation
Tom has one biological daughter, Suri, and two adopted children, Isabella and Connor
Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr. and Keanu Reeves at Cannes. (AP)
7. Other roles
Cruise was reportedly considered for the leading role of Neo in ‘The Matrix’ and was Marvel’s first choice to play Tony Stark early in the planning for ‘Iron Man.’
The principals of this years' best film, from left, Mark Johnson, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise and Barry Levinson are all smiles as they display their "Oscars" in Los Angeles, March 29, 1989 after "Rain Man" was named best film. This was the 61st Annual Academy Awards. (AP Photo)AP
8. Awards season
Tom has been nominated for Academy Awards 3 times: For ‘Born on the Fourth of July,’ ‘Jerry Maguire’ and ‘Magnolia’ and won a Golden Globe for each role.
The Ohio State University Marching Band performs at the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)AP
9. TBDBITL
Following a Top Gun-themed halftime show, Cruise set up an exclusive screening for OSU’s band to see ‘Maverick’
Actor Tom Cruise waves to fans as co-actress Hayley Atwell smiles during a break in the shooting of the film Mission Impossible 7 a in Rome, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)AP
10. What’s next for Tom?
Cruise has two more ‘Mission: Impossible’ films on the schedule as well as the potential for a sequel to ‘Edge of Tomorrow’
Prior celebrity fun facts (Associated Press)
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