American actor and producer known for the Mission Impossible and Top Gun franchises and as one of the highest-grossing film leads in history.
Background
Born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV in Syracuse, New York, he moved frequently in childhood, attended thirteen schools, and dropped out of high school early to pursue acting.
Career
He broke through in “Risky Business” and “Top Gun,” then earned Oscar nominations for “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “Magnolia.” He has anchored “Mission: Impossible” as IMF agent Ethan Hunt across eight films, performing many of his own stunts, and returned to “Top Gun: Maverick” in 2022.
Style
Cruise is closely identified with stunt-driven blockbuster lead work, has produced through Cruise/Wagner Productions, and remains a leading proponent of theatrical-release big-screen filmmaking.