Tom Cruise

Stars

Born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962 in Syracuse, NY

One of Hollywood’s few certified mega-stars, Tom Cruise has enjoyed an unprecedentedly successful movie career since busting out as naive teen Joel Goodsen in 1983’s sleeper comedy “Risky Business.”

His next hit, “Top Gun,” solidified Cruise’s star status and branded his trademark cocky screen persona. A massively rewarding decade followed with roles in such respected moneymakers as “The Color of Money,” “Rain Man,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “A Few Good Men,” “The Firm,” “Interview With the Vampire,” “Jerry Maguire” and “Mission: Impossible.”

Cruise kept the blockbusters coming with two “Mission: Impossible” sequels (a third is in the works), “The Last Samurai” and two Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi dramas, “Minority Report” and “War of the Worlds.”

The toothily handsome, often effusive actor has taken his share of acting chances as well, with offbeat roles in Stanley Kubrick’s controversial “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Magnolia,” “Collateral,” the satire “Tropic Thunder” (in which he was almost unrecognizable) and “Valkyrie.”

Cruise is a three-time Oscar nominee: for “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Jerry Maguire” and “Magnolia,” each of which also earned him Golden Globe award wins (he has received four additional Golden Globe nominations).

In 2006, Cruise, along with longtime producing partner Paula Wagner, took over the ailing United Artists film studio to underwhelming results.

Cruise has also encountered his share of personal controversy, often due to his staunch support of the Church of Scientology. Public clashes with Brooke Shields and “Today Show” host Matt Lauer, as well as an indelibly goofy moment on “Oprah” wherein he “jumped for joy” over his engagement to actress — and latest wife — Katie Holmes, notably undermined the actor’s popularity.

— Gary Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times Feb. 19, 2010