why is tom cruise not at oscars

Why Tom Cruise Wasn't At the Oscars

The Top Gun: Maverick star didn't turn up for the big awards night, despite the film's multiple nominations.

The long-awaited sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun , Top Gun: Maverick , became a must-watch film in 2022. But while the blockbuster garnered five Academy Award nominations, including a nod for Best Picture, along with Best Adapted Screenplay, sound and film editing, visual effects and Best Original Song, one major player was missing from the festivities tonight: the franchise's star, Tom Cruise.

Despite starring in both the original film, as well as the long-anticipated sequel, Cruise did not make an appearance on the red carpet at the 2023 Oscars tonight. Though the film became an awards show darling, Cruise himself did not receive any Academy Award nominations for his performance. Nonetheless, it was expected by many that the star would turn up for any potential wins for the film.

On Sunday, however, a representative for Cruise told People that Cruise would not be in attendance on the big night due to scheduling obligations for Cruise's currently in the works sequel known as Mission Impossible 8 . According to the publication, producer Jerry Bruckheimer is slated to accept the award if Top Gun: Maverick recieves the Best Picture Nomination

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

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They saved cinema – so why weren’t Tom Cruise and James Cameron at the Oscars?

Jimmy Kimmel joked: ‘The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn’t come the theater.’ So where were Cruise and Cameron?

They were the two men credited with saving cinema, getting bums back on seats in cinemas around the world after months and months of Covid-19 lockdowns. And yet neither James Cameron or Tom Cruise showed up to the 2023 Oscars .

Cruise’s film Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to the 1986 hit, grossed $1.4bn at the global box office. Its huge success was widely considered a sign that the industry had recovered after months of uncertainty, showing Covid-wary audiences were willing to return for the right film.

Cruise is the star of Top Gun: Maverick, but also a producer, which meant he was nominated in the best picture category, alongside Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison and Jerry Bruckheimer.

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On Sunday, a representative for Cruise confirmed the actor is filming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part II, the action franchise’s upcoming eighth instalment, in Europe. Bruckheimer was prepared to accept the Oscar if the film had won best picture, which instead went to Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Top Gun: Maverick only won one of the six awards it was up for: best sound. It was the dark horse nominee for best picture, but has been widely credited with luring back audiences who wanted to see the big-budget action flick on a cinema screen.

Last month, director Steven Spielberg was filmed telling Cruise at the 2023 Academy Luncheon: “You saved Hollywood’s ass, and you might have saved theatrical distribution. Seriously, Maverick might have saved the entire theatrical industry.”

Cameron, meanwhile, was nominated as a producer of best picture nominee Avatar: The Way of Water, which is now the No. 3 highest-grossing movie of all time, having taken $2.29bn at the global box office . Avatar: The Way of Water was nominated for four Oscars including best picture, but only won one, for best visual effects.

Cameron’s producing partner and fellow nominee Jon Landau told The New York Times that his absence was due to “personal reasons”. Cameron had attended two Oscars functions in the days before the ceremony.

This year’s Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked about their absences, saying: “You know, Tom [Cruise] and James Cameron didn’t show up tonight. The two guys who insisted we go to the theatre didn’t come the theatre.”

“Everyone loved Top Gun, everyone! I mean, Tom Cruise with his shirt off and that beach football scene? L Ron hubba hubba,” Kimmel joked, referring to Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard.

He also addressed the possibility that Cameron had not attended due to not being nominated for best director, saying: “Some of the cynics are saying James Cameron isn’t here because he didn’t get a best director nomination. And while I find that very hard to believe about a man of such deep humility, he does have a point. I mean, how does the Academy not nominate the guy who directed Avatar? What do they think he is, a woman?”

“You know a show is too long when even James Cameron can’t sit through it,” he added, in reference to Avatar: The Way of Water’s 192-minute running time.

Cruise will next be on screens in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Part I in July, while the next Avatar film will be released in December 2024.

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Tom cruise, james cameron skip 2023 oscars.

The pair are in the Oscar race for 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' respectively

By Aaron Couch

Aaron Couch

Film Editor

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Tom Cruise and James Cameron, two champions of the theatrical experience behind the biggest movies of 2022 skipped the 2023 Oscars.

“The two guys who insisted you go to the theater, didn’t go to the theater,” host Jimmy Kimmel quipped during his monologue.

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Cameron, meanwhile, is nominated as a producer of Avatar: The Way of Water , the No. 3 highest-grossing movie of all time with $2.93 billion globally. He did not receive a best director nod for his work on the sequel. His producing partner and fellow nominee Jon Landau told The New York Times on the carpet that the absence was due to “personal reasons.”

Maverick is considered a dark horse candidate for best picture, but the feature was widely credited with helping get audiences back to theaters, with Steven Spielberg telling Cruise at the 2023 Academy Luncheon that he saved theaters .

Though Cruise was treated as royalty at that event as well as at the PGA Awards , he was mocked at the Golden Globes and the DGA Awards .

“I like to see people do well. I know that things don’t just happen. I know it’s not just luck. You have to create that luck. You have to will it into existence. I want you to know that I’m always rooting for you. I’m rooting for all of you,” Cruise said while accepting the David O. Selznick Achievement Award during the  2023 PGA Awards .

Top Gun: Maverick is nominated for six Oscars, including best song for Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand.” Cruise will return to theaters with Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One , which arrives in theaters July 14.

Avatar: The Way of Water earned four nominations. A sequel is due out Dec. 20, 2024.

See the star-studded Oscars red carpet arrivals .

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Our top headlines in style, culture, and more, in your inbox, daily, we respect your privacy. all data captured will be used in accordance with our privacy policy, this is why tom cruise and james cameron didn’t attend the 2023 oscars.

Both Tom Cruise and filmmaker James Cameron opted out of the 2023 Oscars despite their respective films being nominated for multiple awards. By Hayley Peppin

TWO OF THE MOST nominated people at the 2023 Oscars seemingly gave this year’s ceremony the flick. Tom Cruise of Top Gun: Maverick and James Cameron, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Avatar: The Way of Water , didn’t attend the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 12 — in spite of their insistence for people to return to the movies.

“The two guys who insisted you go to the theatre, didn’t go to the theatre,” 2023 Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked during his monologue.

Cruise, who just a month earlier attended an Oscars nominee luncheon at the Beverly Hilton hotel, was absent from cinema’s biggest night due to overseas production on his eighth Mission: Impossible instalment. While Top Gun was up for six awards, it won just one category — that being Best Sound. While Everything Everywhere All At Once won Best Picture , the 60-year-old actor and producer reportedly planned for producer Jerry Bruckheimer to accept the award on his behalf if Top Gun: Maverick emerged victorious. The film, which Steven Spielberg said in a viral video “saved Hollywood’s ass ,” grossed $1.43 billion at the box office.

Related : ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ sweeps 2023 Oscars including Best Actress and Best Picture

Meanwhile, Cameron, who was nominated as a producer of Avatar: The Way of Water , also didn’t show up despite the sci-fi hit being the No. 3 highest-grossing movie of all time — garnering $2.93 billion globally. While a rep didn’t confirm his absence, his producing partner and fellow nominee Jon Landau told The New York Times he opted out due to “personal reasons.” Rumours suggest he was unhappy he didn’t receive acknowledgement in the best director category.

Kimmel played into such speculation during his opening monologue, quipping, “Some of the cynics are saying James Cameron isn’t here because he didn’t get a Best Director nomination. And while I find that very hard to believe about a man of such deep humility, he does have a point. I mean, how does the Academy not nominate the guy who directed  Avatar ? What do they think he is, a woman?”

Avatar: The Way of Water earned four nominations but won just one with, unsurprisingly, Best Visual Effects. Back in 2010, the original Avatar won the same category, along with Best Cinematography and Best Production Design.

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Where is Tom Cruise? Why the 'Top Gun' star skipped the 2023 Oscars

Despite "Top Gun: Maverick" being nominated for six honors, including best picture, the film's star Tom Cruise was not in attendance for the Academy Awards on March 12 in Hollywood.

His absence from the iconic Dolby Theatre on Sunday did not go unnoticed by host Jimmy Kimmel, who called out both Cruise and "Avatar" director James Cameron for skipping the event during his lengthy monologue at the beginning of the broadcast.

After quipping that Cameron might have skipped the ceremony after not being nominated for best director, Kimmel then launched into Cruise.

"Everyone loved 'Top Gun' I mean, everyone." Kimmel said. "Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene? ... Hubba hubba!"

"Tom Cruise and James Cameron didn't show up tonight. The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn't come to the theater."

Kimmel went on to joke that Cruise might actually be in the theater dressed as actor Judd Hirsch in a "Mission Impossible" mask. As the camera panned to Hirsch, the "Fabelmans" star pantomimed pulling his face off like a mask.

A spokesperson for Cruise confirmed to People that the actor had to miss the awards ceremony because he is filming "Mission: Impossible 8" overseas. Entertainment Tonight reports that if "Top Gun" wins best picture, producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award.

The film, which is a sequel to the original "Top Gun" released in 1986, was also nominated for best adapted screenplay, best film editing, best original song, best visual effects and best sound.

Hosted by  Jimmy Kimmel for the third time , the  2023 Oscars  are broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the  red carpet starting earlier . The 2023 Oscars are  available to watch on ABC  and various streaming platforms. 

Leading the list of nominees  include “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” The  list of performers and presenters  includes Rihanna, following her  Super Bowl halftime show , and the viral  Telegu-language hit “Naatu Naatu .”

Follow  TODAY.com  for complete Oscars coverage,  including this year’s winners  and unexpected moments.

Sam Kubota is a senior digital editor and journalist for TODAY Digital based in Los Angeles. She joined NBC News in 2019.

Why Tom Cruise Was A No-Show At The 2023 Oscars

"Top Gun: Maverick" soared into the Oscars with six nominations, but Tom Cruise wasn't in attendance to see how well the film fared on the biggest night of the year for movies.

Deadline  was the first to confirm that Cruise would not be attending the 95th Academy Awards event because the actor returned to work. The report also stated that he had been working in Sicily and the United Kingdom and that his commitments to his craft and career forced him to miss the prestigious affair. Cruise has taken on the arduous endeavor of completing his work on "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two," the follow-up to the expected upcoming 2023 summer, a film which many hope will have the same effect on the box office that the Oscar-nominated "Top: Gun Maverick" had when it grossed over $1 billion in 2022. And its exceptional run didn't end there, as the film also earned high-flying scores on Rotten Tomatoes . In addition to its successful flight in theaters, the critically acclaimed blockbuster was nominated for Best Picture, as well as several other honors, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song, Best Film editing, and Best Visual effects. Cruise himself even recieved an Oscar nod as one of the film's producers. 

While Cruise may not have in the audience to see how well the "Top Gun" sequel did, the Oscars were obsessed with the superstar skipping the event. 

Jimmy Kimmel called out Tom Cruise for skipping the ceremony

While Tom Cruise is hard at work delivering his next big screen spectacle, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel couldn't help but point out how the superstar skipped the ceremony. During his opening monologue, Kimmel called out the "Top Gun: Maverick" actor and "Avatar: The Way of Water" director James Cameron for not showing up to the year's biggest celebration of cinema, despite being the two most vocal supporters of the theatrical experience. "The two guys who insisted we come to the theatre, didn't come to the [Dolby Theatre]," Kimmel said to applause and laughter.

Kimmel continued his monologue by jokingly suggesting that Cruise disguised himself as "The Fabelmans" nominee Judd Hirsch, à la "Mission: Impossible." The host wrapped up his time by pointing out Cruise's athletic body in "Top Gun: Maverick"... and tying it into his belief of Scientology. "Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene? L. Ron Hubba Hubba!" Kimmel said. 

Cruise may not have been at the Oscars but Lady Gaga certainly was, delivering a mighty and powerful rendition of her Oscar-nominated track "Hold My Hand" from the "Maverick" soundtrack.

Lady Gaga performed 'Hold My Hand' at the Oscars

It was previously reported that Lady Gaga would be skipping the event due to her commitments to producing the Joker sequel "Joker: Folie à Deux." Hours before the 2023 Oscars,  Variety confirmed that the pop sensation would on the stage, ready to sing "Holy My Hand."  

Like the film, the song received significant amounts of critical acclaim, with Variety calling it an Oscar front-runner early on, and it was well received by fans, especially considering the music video for the song has over 155 million views on YouTube . And as far as honors go, the song has already received some awards attention with a nomination from the Grammy  Awards for Best Song Written for Media, and the soundtrack for the film itself was also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. While it didn't win either of those accolades, it did have a chance to win at the Oscars, and there is no denying having Lady Gaga perform the track in person will add to the enjoyable experience viewers are in for when they tune in to see the big winners.

"Top Gun: Maverick" fans will likely agree that not having Tom Cruise in the mix is a bit of a bummer, but many viewers will agree Lady Gaga is a solid backup to represent the sequel at the 95th Academy Awards.

Why Wasn't Tom Cruise At the 2023 Oscars?

I'll give Hollywood an impossible mission: get Tom Cruise to show up at your awards show.

It turns out that Cruise is too busy filming Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning, Part II in the UK , Entertainment Tonight reports . He's doing what he loves, folks—making movies for us. Cruise previously teased his upcoming Mission Impossible stunt where he jumps a motorcycle off of a cliff . Here's hoping he tries to blast into space next. Next time the man is up for more trophies, I'll give Hollywood an impossible mission: get Tom Cruise to show up at your awards show.

Still, that doesn't mean the Cruise jokes stopped at the 95th Academy Awards. "Everyone loved Top Gun , everyone," Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel joked at the beginning of the show. "Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene? L. Ron Hubba Hubba!” Scientology bits! A classic Hollywood gag. "Tom (Cruise) and James Cameron didn’t show up tonight," Kimmel continued, after parachuting into the venue as part of a Top Gun skit. "The two guys who insisted we go to the theater, did not show up at the theater." I'm sure some folks at home were wondering if jokes like these were the real reason Cruise didn't show up tonight. Either way, Cruise certainly isn't feeling down. Top Gun: Maverick received six nominations at the Oscars tonight, including Best Original Song, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture.

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Oscars 2023: The 95th Academy Awards

By Tori B. Powell, Mike Hayes, Matt Meyer and Seán Federico O'Murchú, CNN

Why Tom Cruise and James Cameron aren't at the Oscars

From CNN"s Lisa Respers France

Two of the people being credited with getting audiences back in the theater apparently have skipped the biggest night that celebrates movies.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel mentioned in his opening monologue that both Tom Cruise and James Cameron were not in attendance, though he joked that perhaps Cruise was there, dressed as nominee Judd Hirsch.

While Cruise's blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" is nominated for best film, Deadline reported the star was skipping the show because of work.

Meanwhile, Kimmel mentioned there was some speculation that Cameron sat this one out because he had not been nominated in the directing category for "Avatar: The Way of Water," which is also nominated for best film.

"Avatar" producer Jon Landau said on the red carpet (which was really champagne-colored ) that Cameron was not coming for “personal reasons."

Guillermo Del Toro's "Pinocchio" wins the award for best animated feature

Guillermo Del Toro's "Pinocchio" took home the Academy Award for best animated feature. It was the first award announced of the night.

"Animation is ready to be taken to the next step," Del Toro said while accepting the award. "We are all ready for it. Please help us. Keep animation in the conversation."

The filmmaker, who used stop-motion animation to create the latest "Pinocchio" adaptation, went on to thank his family and Netflix.

Jimmy Kimmel jokes he's protecting himself this year after last year's slap

From CNN's Marianne Garvey

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel jokes that if any audience member wants to incite violence or "get jiggy with it," in a reference to Will Smith's song, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It," he's got backup.

Kimmel joked that they would have to get through Michelle Yeoh, Michael B. Jordan, Steven Spielberg and many others to get to him on stage.

Background: During 2022’s ceremony, Smith walked on stage at the Oscars and slapped Chris Rock, who was presenting at the time, after he made a joke about Smith’s wife’s shaved head.

Smith  later apologized , but The Academy sanctioned the actor by  banning him from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years.

Jimmy Kimmel says this year "the world finally got out of the house" to see movies in the theater

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel opened the show by declaring this the year "when the world finally got out of the house" to see the nominated films the way they were intended to be seen: in a theater.

The host entered the stage for his opening monologue via parachute, in a reference to his opening "Top Gun" skit , cracked a joke about adjusting his "danger zone" and teased Nicole Kidman for her viral AMC Theatres campaign .

Kimmel noted there are 16 first-time nominees at this year's Oscars.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel's "Top Gun" call sign is Meatball

Jimmy Kimmel first appeared at the 95th Oscars ceremony in a skit where he pretended to be in the "Top Gun" movie franchise.

Sitting behind Tom Cruise in a fighter jet, he pulls off a helmet labeled with the call sign "Meatball." Cruise advised him to eject from the plane, then Kimmel dropped on to the stage via parachute.

"Top Gun: Maverick" is nominated in several categories this evening.

The 2023 Oscars are underway

The 95th Academy Awards have begun at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Jimmy Kimmel returns to host the event for a third time.

It's time to see which of Hollywood's biggest stars take home the honors.

Photos: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” on the red carpet

From CNN Style’s Stephy Chung

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” leads the Oscars with 11 nominations. And the genre-defying movie’s cast turned up in style.

Michelle Yeoh was among the night’s best-dressed celebrities in a white-feathered Dior gown, while James Hong arrived on the champagne-colored carpet wearing one of the night’s boldest accessory: a blue bowtie adorned with — in a nod to the film — a pair of googly eyes.

See the pictures below, and more of our red carpet coverage here .

Here's who's nominated for Academy Awards

The 95th Academy Awards is set to take place at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre tonight. Here's a look at the nominees:

Best picture

• “All Quiet on the Western Front”
• “Avatar: The Way of Water”
• “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• “The Fabelmans”
• “Top Gun: Maverick”
• “Triangle of Sadness”
• “Women Talking”

Actress in a supporting role

• Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
• Hong Chau, “The Whale”
• Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• Stephanie Hsu, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Actor in a supporting role

• Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brian Tyree Henry, “Causeway”
• Judd Hirsch, “The Fabelmans”
• Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Actor in a leading role

• Austin Butler, “Elvis”
• Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”
• Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”
• Bill Nighy, “Living”

Actress in a leading role

• Cate Blanchett, “Tár”
• Ana de Armas, “Blonde”
• Andrea Riseborough, “To Leslie”
• Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans”
• Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

See the full list of nominees here .

A-listers arrive on the red carpet in white

Stars are arriving dressed-to-the-nines at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 95th Academy Awards. One of the trends to emerge this year is the color white — with stars like Michelle Yeoh and Halle Berry embracing the trend.

The Oscars are one of the most anticipated nights of fashion. Check out our red carpet coverage here . 

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Why Wasn't Tom Cruise at the Academy Awards?

The actor didn't attend sunday's award show where his movie, "top gun: maverick," was nominated in six categories, by charlotte edmonds • published march 12, 2023 • updated on march 13, 2023 at 4:37 am.

"Top Gun" was without its Maverick at the 95th Academy Awards .

The sequel to the 1986 classic took the theaters by storm this past year, grossing nearly $1.5 billion -- second to only "Avatar: The Way of Water." Its success wasn't limited to the box office as the movie established itself as a regular during awards season as well.

At the Oscars on Sunday, however, there was one notable absence -- Tom Cruise , who reprised his role as the titular character, Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.

Where is Tom Cruise during the Academy Awards?

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Cruise is overseas filming the latest edition of the "Mission: Impossible" series. Titled "Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part II," Cruise is returning to his role as Agent Ethan Hunt in what is believed to be the eighth and final installation of the hit spy series.

‘Everything Everywhere' Wins Big. See the Full List of 2023 Academy Award Winners

See All the Stunning 2023 Oscars Red Carpet Fashions

What academy awards is 'top gun: maverick' nominated for.

"Top Gun: Maverick" received six nominations at the 95th Academy Awards -- Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Original Song by Lady Gaga.

In addition to starring in the movie, Cruise also served as one of four producers.

What is the release date for 'Mission: Impossible -- Dead Reckoning Part II'?

The eighth "Mission: Impossible" is set to be released on June 28, 2024.

This comes nearly two years after the film's initial release date of Aug. 5, 2022. It was delayed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic before reaching the current release date.

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Mission Impossible: Why Tom Cruise, James Cameron, and Chris Rock Weren’t at the Oscars

By Savannah Walsh

A slew of A-list stars attended the Oscars 2023 —and walked that surprisingly chic  champagne carpet —in celebration of the  95th Academy Awards , where  Everything Everywhere All at Once  was the night’s big winner. But celebrities cannot, in fact, be everywhere all at once—and several major players were missing from Sunday’s ceremony as well.

Host  Jimmy Kimmel  noted a few of these absences during  his monologue , where he joked, “You know, Tom Cruise and James Cameron didn’t show up tonight. The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn’t come to the theater.”

There were a few surprise attendees Sunday, including Cocaine Bear, Jenny the Donkey, and  Lady Gaga . But if you’re wondering where some of those missing major players were instead of the 2023 Oscars, read on. 

Cruise, nominated as a producer for best-picture-contender Top Gun: Maverick, has been largely missing from the awards circuit this year—outside of the  Oscar Nominees Luncheon , where  Steven Spielberg   reportedly  told him he “saved Hollywood’s ass.” But his absence at the 95th Academy Awards was unexpected, as Kimmel  told  The Hollywood Reporter that Cruise would attend. Alas, a representative for the actor later told  People that Cruise was overseas filming  Mission: Impossible 8, making any appearance at the Oscars—well, impossible. Kimmel took Cruise’s truancy as an opportunity to make a Scientology joke. “Tom Cruise with his shirt off? L. Ron Hubba Hubba,” he quipped.

James Cameron

Cameron, whose blockbuster epic Avatar: The Way of Water was nominated for best picture, didn’t attend because of “personal reasons,” his fellow producer  Jon Landau   told   The New York Times ’  Kyle Buchanan. But Kimmel seemed to suggest that Cameron’s failure to secure a directing nod was a contributing factor in his nonattendance. “I mean, how does the Academy not nominate the guy who directed  Avatar ?” Kimmel asked. “What do they think he is, a woman?” (Only seven women have been nominated for best director in the Oscars’ 95-year history—and zero in 2023.)

Glenn Close

The eight-time Academy Award nominee, who has yet to win an Oscar, continued her unlucky streak with the organization by  testing positive for COVID ahead of the ceremony, as reported by the  Associated Press . Close was meant to reunite with  Harrison Ford, her costar in 1997’s  Air Force One, to present best picture. While Close isolated and rested, Ford went it alone for the night’s biggest award. At least Close’s Oscars history will always have “ Da Butt .” 

The two men at the center of the  biggest scandal in Oscars history were unsurprisingly not in attendance at Sunday’s ceremony, although  jokes about the incident were littered throughout the telecast. During the show, Rock, who declined the Oscars hosting job in favor of speaking out via his own  live Netflix special , was spotted at a Miami viewing party. As seen in a  video posted to Twitter , comedian  Whitney Cummings  appears shocked to see Rock, excitedly declaring, “Chris Rock is in the fucking building!” before raising a glass. 

Tradition has it that last year’s best-actor Oscar winner presents the best-actress trophy at the following ceremony, but all of that changed when  Smith slapped Rock onstage . Instead of an invite to present,  Smith got himself banned from attending the Academy Awards for a decade. It was last year’s best-actress winner,  Jessica Chastain,  and  Halle Berry, who in 2002 was the  first Black woman to win best actress, who  jointly presented the honor this year instead. Smith, who  resigned from the Academy days after his actions,  reportedly spent the weekend taking his family to see  Jay Shetty, life coach to the stars,  at an event in Los Angeles. 

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Why Tom Cruise Isn't At The Oscars, Despite Top Gun: Maverick's Big Nominations

He has a good reason.

Top Gun : Maverick is nominated for six Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards , but if it does capture an Oscar, its big star/producer won't be there to accept it. Tom Cruise did not attend the biggest night at the movies, but there's a good reason why he won't be there. Surprise, he's working on the set of another movie. 

Tom Cruise isn't taking a day off for an awards show and is instead in the U.K. working on the set of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part II, according to Entertainment Tonight . While Hayley Atwell can take a break from filming for a beautiful vacation , apparently Cruise didn't want to step away from the thrilling scenes they're no doubt filming each day on set. 

While Tom Cruise didn't attend the Oscars despite his nominations, he did take a break from filming to attend the nominees' luncheon weeks ago. Perhaps he was planning to attend originally but opted out and decided to prepare for some epic stunt he's filming ? 

While Tom Cruise is away, Top Gun: Maverick hasn't had any trouble getting nods at The Oscars. In fact, the actor made a cameo via footage of the movie shown at the opening, which spliced in Oscars' host, Jimmy Kimmel . Kimmel also later poked at Cruise's strong ties to Scientology, so he's still getting a good deal of mentions despite his absence. Kimmel also credited Cruise as one of the reasons the movies bounced back after pandemic lockdowns but noted that achievement made his skipping the Academy Awards ironic. 

Top Gun: Maverick was nominated for Best Picture, Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Film Editing, Sound, Music (Original Song), and Visual Effects. In the event that the movie does win Best Picture, it's reported that producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award. 

While Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors, he has yet to win an Oscar in his long career. To date, he's received two nominations for Best Actor for Jerry Maguire and Born on the Fourth of July , as a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Magnolia . Top Gun: Maverick marks his fourth nomination, though it is one for Best Picture. 

If winning awards won't play a part in Tom Cruise's legacy, it's safe to say his legacy will be solidified in the work he's put in on the Mission: Impossible franchise. Moviegoers are as psyched to see Ethan Hunt on the big screen as they've ever been, so credit to the A-lister for keeping at work and ensuring that folks keep turning up to movie theaters for big blockbusters.  

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CinemaBlend is all hands on deck during the 95th Academy Awards and keeping tabs on all of the big winners for the night . Of course, we'll also be reporting on other big moments as well, and all the jokes that will undoubtedly be made at Will Smith and Chris Rock 's expense. 

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.

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Why Wasn’t Tom Cruise at the Oscars 2023? Find Out Why the ‘Top Gun’ Actor Was Absent

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Tom Cruise   didn’t make an appearance  at the  95th annual Academy Awards , even though his film  Top Gun: Maverick   was  nominated for six awards.  Keep reading to find out why the actor will not be attending the 2023 Oscars. 

Why Wasn't Tom Cruise at the 2023 Oscars?

Tom was absent from the March 12 ceremony as he’s currently in the United Kingdom filming for Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part II, according to Deadline . 

The news of Tom’s absence follows reports that Lady Gaga , who was nominated for Best Original Song for Top Gun: Maverick’s concluding track, “Hold My Hand,” will be performing at the Oscars following initial reports of a scheduling conflict. 

Reps for Tom did not immediately respond to In Touch ’s request for comment. 

Tom was, indeed, in the U.K. recently, as he was spotted celebrating Sir  Michael Caine ’s 90th birthday in London two days after the awards show.  

How Many Oscars Was Top Gun: Maverick Nominated For?

Top Gun: Maverick  was nominated for six awards; Best Picture, Film Editing, Sound, Music (Original Song), Visual Effects and Adaptive Screenplay.  The film won the Academy Award for Best Sound. 

The sequel’s many nominations were a delightful surprise to fans as Tom and the production crew put in countless hours to create the thrilling aviation action. 

When speaking with Screen Rant in May 2022, the Edge of Tomorrow actor  explained that creating the action movie was his “dream.” 

“Listen, the whole point of making films and the beauty of it is that you get to travel the world and see other cultures and be part of communities,” he told the outlet when explaining why going above and beyond with filming huge action shots was necessary. “To look and walk in someone else’s shoes and feel what they are [feeling]. Making movies, you’re constantly learning. You have to constantly work to become more and more competent in many different fields. And I want to tell them, that’s the beauty of making movies. That’s why I’ve always pushed my films to go international, around the world and in different communities. And to be part of that right from the beginning.”

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Tom Cruise Will Not Attend Oscars 2023 After Previously Appearing at Nominees Luncheon

The Top Gun: Maverick star is currently overseas filming Mission: Impossible 8 , a rep for Cruise confirms to PEOPLE

Tom Cruise will not be attending the Oscars 2023 ceremony.

The Top Gun: Maverick star, 60, is skipping the annual awards show , being held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, despite his film being up for six honors, including Best Picture.

A rep for Cruise confirms to PEOPLE that his absence is because he is currently filming Mission: Impossible 8 overseas. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award for Best Picture should Maverick emerge victorious, Entertainment Tonight reports.

The follow-up to 1986's Top Gun is also nominated in the categories of Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.

Additionally, Lady Gaga is set to perform the nominated song, "Hold My Hand."

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Cruise's absence comes as a bit of a surprise, considering his attendance the Oscars nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles last month.

In a video that circulated on social media at the time, Steven Spielberg could be seen telling Cruise he "saved Hollywood's ass" with Top Gun: Maverick , which claimed the spot as the highest-grossing movie of 2022 in the United States.

The legendary director, 76, added that Cruise "might have saved theatrical distribution" entirely with the long-awaited sequel to his hit '80s action flick.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Tuesday that Cruise would be at Sunday's ceremony , and he was asked whether he would joke about the actor as hosts of other awards shows this season have.

"No, I mean, listen, the reason that Tom Cruise is being embraced by the movie industry is that, I don't know if he saved [movies], but he definitely gave them the Heimlich maneuver," said Kimmel, 55.

RELATED VIDEO: Top Gun: Maverick Stars Tom Cruise , Jon Hamm, Miles Teller and More on Filming the "Love Letter to Aviation"

Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible 8 writer-director Christopher McQuarrie announced the exciting news on Friday that Hannah Waddingham had joined the cast of the upcoming franchise film.

In the photo shared by McQuarrie, 54, Waddingham appeared to be in character as she sternly looked into the distance, wearing a tan cap in front of what looked like a communication center.

Waddingham, 48, is best known for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso , for which she won the Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series in 2021. She also starred in the 2022 sequel Hocus Pocus 2 .

Mission Impossible: 8 — also known as the second part of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning — has been filming since July 2022, long before the seventh Mission: Impossible movie's upcoming July 2023 release date.

The Oscars air live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET.

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5 Reasons Why Tom Cruise Has Never Won An Oscar

He’s been nominated three times – as Best Actor for ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ and ‘Jerry Maguire’ and as Best Supporting Actor for ‘Magnolia’.

Yet Tom Cruise, arguably the biggest movie star of the last 20 years, has never actually got his hands on a little gold man, but why?

He’s ‘too mainstream’

Only occasionally does Oscar really intersect with the blockbuster community. ‘Titanic’, ‘Avatar’, ‘Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King’ and ‘Forrest Gump’ are some of the few recent smash hits which also got some awards love. Tom Cruise – despite an incredibly varied and interesting filmography, is the very definition of mainstream.

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People forget that he’s worked with everyone from Paul Thomas Anderson and Michael Mann to Martin Scorsese and Stanley fricking Kubrick. What they do remember is ‘Top Gun’, the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, ‘The Firm’…

Popular actors who became “award-worthy” ones generally had to do so in a film which pitched itself as Oscar bait. Unfortunately for Cruise, he doesn’t seem to have shaken off the stink of $20 million success.

He was robbed for ‘Magnolia’

Speaking of Paul Thomas Anderson, it’s a travesty that Cruise didn’t win for Anderson’s masterpiece ‘Magnolia’, where he played a charismatic women-hating pick-up artist with deep-seated personal issues (see above).

Made at the height of Cruise’s fame and box office power (he filmed it before ‘Mission: Impossible II’) it played with our perceptions of Cruise’s charisma and showed off hitherto unseen acting prowess.

He stole the film from acting greats like Julianne Moore, Jason Robards and Philip Seymour Hoffman and it was the kind of flashy star-playing-against-type supporting role that Oscar voters love.

Yet Cruise was beaten by Michael Caine’s perfectly respectable - but far less memorable - turn in old fashioned yarn ‘The Cider House Rules’. This was Cruise’s best chance to win an Oscar… and he missed it.

His best work isn’t noticed

But at least he was nominated. The other strange thing looking back at Cruise’s CV is that several of his best performances weren’t even noticed by the Academy. There are many that (with another actor) would be swamped with awards love.

Think the calculating but charming hitman in ‘Collateral’, the cocksure Naval lawyer in Aaron Sorkin-penned ‘A Few Good Men’, Lestat in ‘Interview With The Vampire’ (a performance so good author Anne Rice took out an ad in Variety to praise it).

These are roles that with an “award-friendly” actor attached would mean at least a nom, if not the prize itself. But maybe he’s just too effective as a leading man. You expect him to be good, he’s part of our cinematic canvas and as such he doesn’t get the recognition.

His co-stars get all the glory

There’s a school of thought that it’s actually way harder to play the straight man than it is the more obvious showy role. In other words, lots of people (us included) think that Cruise was far more deserving of an Oscar for his brilliant work in ‘Rain Man’ than Dustin Hoffman was for his mannered, yet eye-catching performance.

He was nominated for playing Jerry Maguire, but it was Cuba Gooding Jr who walked off with the prize for his shouty presence as Jerry’s client.

Cruise was hilarious and displayed a surprising lack of vanity as megalomaniacal studio head Les Grossman in ‘Tropic Thunder’, but it was Robert Downey Jr – on the comeback trail and playing ironic blackface – who scored the nom.

And as for ‘The Colour Of Money’? Well, what are you gonna do if you’re starring opposite Paul Newman when one of the elder statesmen of the industry is just due recognition.

His personal life

Any journalist who’s met Tom Cruise will tell you what a nice, professional bloke he is. He understands what being a megastar entails and has been known to show up at his premieres three hours early just so he can interact with as many fans as possible.

But his enthusiasm has also got the better of him – the couch-jumping incident on Oprah being a prime example. That little escapade probably set his career back a few years, as did coming out the loser in the post-divorce PR battles with Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes.

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And then there’s Scientology. Cruise is one of its most important members and he has credited the religion with helping him get to where he is in Hollywood (he can be seen opening a new church-affiliated building in Spain below).

But it’s possible that the stories (whether they are true or not) about silent births, ex-communicating family members and Navy-style teen boot camps has tarnished Cruise in the eyes of Oscar voters, who tend to be more conservative.

It’s possible Tom Cruise will end up being another iconic actor who never gets awards recognition. He wouldn’t be the first (see: Peter O’Toole, Harrison Ford, etc.)

Or maybe as his blockbuster life seemingly begins to fade, which some are predicting after the comparative failures of ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Edge Of Tomorrow’, the Cruiser will finally delve headlong into the kind of compelling character parts which sees him finally take to the Oscar stage as a winner.

Photos: Moviestore/Rex/Snap Stills/giphy/portable.tv/imgur/PA

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Why did Tom Cruise not attend the Oscars after being hailed for ‘saving’ cinema with Top Gun: Maverick?

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Last night’s Oscars was, like always, a star-studded affair, with Hollywood’s biggest names turning out for its most glamorous night.

But two of the biggest names in film, both of whom have been heralded for ‘saving cinema’, didn’t attend: James Cameron and, crucially, Tom Cruise .

Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water , already one of the highest-grossing films ever, was nominated for best picture, but it lost to Everything Everywhere All at Once .

Meanwhile, Cruise’s film, Top Gun: Maverick, was also defeated in the best picture category, but did leave with the prize for best sound.

However, Maverick, a sequel to 1986’s Top Gun, was a huge success at the box office and has been credited by many in the industry with ‘saving cinema’.

Since the pandemic, many who work in film have been greatly concerned that enthusiasm for watching films on the big screen has significantly decreased.

Steven Spielberg was shown talking to Cruise at the 2023 Academy Luncheon: ‘You saved Hollywood’s a**, you might have saved theatrical distribution.’

Maverick, which Cruise, 60, both starred in and produced, passed the $1 billion mark, and was still being shown in cinemas months after its original release.

But on Sunday, Cruise didn’t show his face at the Oscars, which left many viewers wondering why the man dubbed the ‘saviour of cinema’ was absent.

Why wasn’t Tom Cruise at the Oscars?

Cruise missed the awards show due to being tied up with filming the upcoming instalment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Dead Reckoning Part 2.

Dead Reckoning Part 1, which is due out this summer, is the first Mission: Impossible film since 2018’s Fallout, also produced by Cruise.

At the Oscars, Everything Everywhere All at Once made history with seven awards , including best picture, best actress, and best original screenplay.

Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian actress and just the second non-white woman in history to win in the best actress, after Halle Berry’s win in 2001.

Berry, 56, presented the award to Yeoh, 60, whose co-star Jamie Lee Curtis also walked away with the prize for best supporting actress.

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During the ceremony, Jessica Chastain received praise for wearing a mask , with the actress currently performing in a play in New York City.

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Why Didn't Tom Cruise Attend the Oscars? Inside His Rumored Mini Feud With This Comedian

Mar. 14 2023, Published 12:31 p.m. ET

The annual Academy Awards ceremony is typically regarded as Hollywood's biggest night out, but there were some actors and actresses who didn't join in the fun. Notably, actor Tom Cruise , whose beloved '80s sequel Top Gun: Maverick was nominated for Best Picture, did not attend the 95th Oscars.

Why wasn't Tom Cruise at the Oscars? Keep reading for the rumored reasons behind his uncharacteristic absence.

Why wasn't Tom Cruise at the Oscars?

Although Tom Cruise has not formally given a reason for his absence at the Oscars, a new report from Variety alleges some behind-the-scenes drama that may have led to the absences of multiple actors and actresses during Hollywood's biggest night. Jimmy Kimmel, the host, claims he had more jokes reserved in his Oscars monologue specifically for Tom Cruise, but had to pivot when Tom did not show up.

Molly McNearney, Jimmy's wife and Oscars executive producer, said, "Jimmy loves Tom. Tom had just been on the show the week before. And they talked about seeing each other and Jimmy was excited to tell him that we got real Navy pilots to do the flyover at the top of the Oscars. Jimmy was really disappointed he didn’t come."

The reason for Tom's absence, allegedly, is over concerns that Jimmy collaborated on jokes with Judd Apatow, who infamously made a series of scathing remarks at Tom's expense while hosting the DGA Awards, mostly aimed at Tom's practice of Scientology . Judd is not the first comedian to make jokes about Scientology, of which Tom has been a member for at least three decades.

Molly claims that Judd was not involved in Jimmy's Oscars writer's room, saying, "Jimmy tends to send his monologue to a group of people he trusts, comedy writers and comedians. They don’t help with the monologue. They just tell him like that joke’s working, that joke’s not working. No, Judd was not writing or doing anything for the monologue."

Tom Cruise has not addressed his absence from the Oscars. He did, however, attend the 95th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon, which took place on Feb. 13, 2023.

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Tom cruise is reportedly skipping this year's academy awards, share this article.

With the 95th Academy Awards just hours away, one of the night’s biggest stars will reportedly be elsewhere.

Deadline has reported that Top Gun: Maverick star Tom Cruise will not be attending this year’s Oscar ceremony despite being nominated as a producer in the Best Picture category.

Cruise is reportedly in the United Kingdom filming 2024’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two , and he has reportedly opted to stick with his production schedule instead of amending it to attend Hollywood’s biggest night.

If Top Gun: Maverick won Best Picture, longtime producer Jerry Bruckheimer would likely be one of the film’s representatives to accept the trophy.

Filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie and Skydance Media CEO David Ellison are also nominated, though McQuarrie is likely with Cruise directing next year’s Mission: Impossible film.

On ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Front, Tom Cruise Not Coming To Oscars, But Lady Gaga Sure Is https://t.co/94jQhmY8GG — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 12, 2023

Although, Lady Gaga will be attending the ceremony to perform the song “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick .

There will be plenty of celebrities in attendance at this year’s Academy Awards , even if Cruise is nowhere to be found.

You can check out our printable Oscars ballot to fill out your picks ahead of this evening’s ceremony, and you can check out our two sets of predictions .

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Tom Cruise missed Best Actor, but still got his first Oscar nomination in 23 years for Top Gun: Maverick

The global superstar landed major recognition for his work in the action sequel.

The Academy didn't recognize Tom Cruise with a Best Actor nod, but the global superstar still landed a major Oscar nomination for Top Gun: Maverick anyway.

For his work as a producer on the blockbuster sequel that has grossed nearly $1.5 billion to date , the 60-year-old scored his fourth career Oscar nomination as the film appeared Tuesday morning among the Academy's 10 Best Picture nominees.

Tuesday's nomination marks the fourth time the Academy has recognized Cruise throughout his lengthy career. He was previously nominated for his work as an actor for 1989's Born on the Fourth of July , 1996's Jerry Maguire , and 1999's Magnolia .

Top Gun: Maverick , which follows Cruise as the returning Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a U.S. Navy captain and test pilot who faces his conflicting past as he leads a new team of Top Gun graduates into the air, also earned 2023 Oscar nominations for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Original Song (Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand"), Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.

Cruise made the Joseph Kosinski -directed movie — Paramount's long-awaited continuation of the original 1986 Top Gun film — alongside veteran Hollywood producers Jerry Bruckheimer , David Ellison, and Christopher McQuarrie, who also co-wrote the movie with Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer.

The 95th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. See the full list of 2023 Oscar nominations here .

Check out more from EW's The Awardis t , featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best films.

Related content:

• Tracking the top 2023 Oscar contenders
• Academy promises 'great legacy surprises' in 2023 Oscars preview
• See where 15 Academy Award winners keep their Oscars
• Awards season calendar 2022-2023: See dates for Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes, and more

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« Previous Continue Here »

Sofia Vergara

At this point in the timeline, Tom reportedly was set up with Sofia Vergara , who was still an up-and-coming actress at the time.

It has been rumored that Will Smith invited Sofia to attend a pre-Oscar party, where she was set up with Tom . She reportedly did not pursue a relationship with him though.

In a 2017 interview with The Daily Beast , a reporter said to Sofia, “I remember reading that you had dated Tom Cruise , and a few months after you two split, he proposed to Katie Holmes . But I haven’t heard too much about what it was like to be with Tom .”

She responded, “Let’s keep it that way! [Laughs hysterically] I don’t want to talk about that!”

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes told Seventeen in 2004 that she “used to think that [she] was going to marry Tom Cruise ” and that indeed happened.

Tom and Katie started dating in early 2005 and they got engaged in June 2005 after just a few months of dating. Who will ever forget the moment when he jumped on Oprah ‘s couch to declare his love?

Their daughter Suri Cruise was born in April 2006 and they got married in Italy in November 2006.

The couple broke up in June 2012.

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Tom Cruise Proved the Doubters Wrong with His 'Born on the Fourth of July’ Performance

The 1989 Oliver Stone movie showed that Tom Cruise was more than just a movie star, he had legitimate acting chops.

The Big Picture

• Movie stars and actors are distinct in Hollywood, with actors seen as more artistically valuable than mere popcorn entertainment.
• Tom Cruise defied skepticism by taking on a challenging, dramatic role in "Born on the Fourth of July" to showcase his versatility.
• Cruise's dedication to embodying Ron Kovic's story reflects his commitment to artistic excellence over commercial success.

Generally speaking, in movie language, there is a clear divide between movie stars and actors. For the crowd that valorizes the dramatic chops and artistry of the actor, this is a badge of honor. Movie stars have the glamor and privilege, but they are usually regarded as lesser performers. In essence, movie stars provide popcorn entertainment, while actors expand one's cultural taste. Movie stars, as successful entrepreneurs in their own right , want to keep succeeding. This drive eventually calls for them to take on parts that showcase their dramatic chops , which will inevitably inspire doubters. In 1989, when Tom Cruise , the preeminent movie star of the time, decided to play a real-life Vietnam War veteran inflicted by combat wounds in Oliver Stone 's Born on the Fourth of July , the skepticism of audiences, and even his director, was forever silenced . Cruise earned his first of three Academy Award nominations for his work in Born on the Fourth of July .

Born on the Fourth of July

The biography of Ron Kovic. Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, he becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country for which he fought.

'Born on the Fourth of July' Was a Sought-After Project in Hollywood

In the late 1980s, Tom Cruise was the biggest movie star in the world, and not much has changed in 2024. Perhaps Cruise's prominence speaks to Hollywood's waning farm system for developing young stars, but Cruise's sustainability is a miracle. He has elevated his status as the premiere spokesperson for movies as an art form and the theatrical experience. Before he was the symbol for movies themselves, Cruise was a sharp wunderkind foaming with charisma who made his name from a breakout role in Risky Business and soared to superstardom with the release of the 1986 aviation extravaganza, Top Gun . The actor could have cruised (no pun intended) off the success of the Tony Scott film and only made spectacle-driven blockbusters in its aftermath, but if Cruise's recent triumphs in restoring the theatrical experience have proven anything, it's that he is driven to take risks .

Ron Kovic , a Vietnam War veteran who was wounded in combat and paralyzed from the chest down and subsequently turned to anti-war activism, had an enticing story for any movie studio. Upon publishing his autobiography, Born on the Fourth of July in 1976, Hollywood, with the war now officially in the past, had their eyes set on a big screen adaptation. After years of ignoring the international quagmire that divided the nation, the industry was ready to reflect on this turbulent period . Kovic's arc and noisy appearance at the 1976 Democratic National Convention caught the attention of Al Pacino , who read his autobiography, met with Kovic himself, and negotiated a deal for the film rights with his manager, producer Martin Bregman . Because of his Vietnam background , Bregman hired Oliver Stone, an unknown writer attempting to get his autobiographical script about the war off the ground, which would eventually become the Best Picture-winning Platoon .

Following a decade stuck in development hell, with Pacino and Bregman exiting the project, Stone, who would write the script with the real-life subject , had Kovic's story to himself. From the get-go, Born on the Fourth of July was coveted as a prestigious endeavor-- a film that could nab a studio a plethora of Academy Awards . It's no surprise that this project started with Al Pacino, the dictionary definition of a prestigious dramatic actor, in mind as the lead. A sweeping story about the Vietnam War that encompasses America's relationship pre-war, during the war, and post-war, calls for a lead with gravitas. As depicted in the film, Kovic, due to his tragic circumstances, was a man prone to volatile outbursts, which was a trait congruous to Pacino's screen persona .

Tom Cruise's Ability to Play Ron Kovic in 'Born on the Fourth of July' Was Doubted

Stone's agent, Paula Wagner , also represented Tom Cruise, who arranged for a meeting about a collaboration on Born on the Fourth of July . Cruise, who recently starred in the Best Picture-winning Rain Man , held some esteem as a credible dramatic star, but for Stone, there was one notable film starring Cruise that he just couldn't shake . It wasn't just that Cruise was a "movie star," a term of derision in this context, but his breakout hit, Top Gun , was the antithesis of Born on the Fourth of July . If Top Gun inspired young people to enlist in the military, Kovic's story implored its viewers to reconsider their American patriotism. Stone's rationale against casting Cruise was that his presence would give the story an unwarranted Hollywood shine . Stone has never pulled punches on his thoughts on the unabashed jingoism of Top Gun , once referring to it as a "fascist film."

Eventually, Stone channeled his pessimism into a positive read on Cruise's likeness. "I saw this kid who has everything," Stone told the Los Angeles Times in 1989 , referring to Cruise's public image. "And I wondered what would happen if tragedy strikes, if fortune denies him... What would happen to Tom Cruise if something goes wrong?" he pondered. Kovic also initially shared the director's skepticism, but after meeting with the star, he was moved by Cruise's palpable sympathy. Recognizing Cruise's star persona and linking it with Kovic's evolution from an idyllic, John F. Kennedy -coded teen willing to do anything for his country to a dispirited war veteran coldly betrayed by his country is an artistic stroke of genius by Stone . Cruise's best performances in this era, such as in A Few Good Men and Jerry Maguire , frame him as a talented, but vain figure who needs an obstacle to set him straight. In Born , Cruise's narrative stakes are raised due to the nonfictional nature of the film. Supported by Cruise, who has never been so vulnerable, heartbreaking, and unflinching , watching Cruise rebound from harrowing events is not pleasant. Kovic is frequently painted as unlikeable, and the moments of triumph are not delivered to the viewer on a silver platter.

Tom Cruise Proves His Dramatic Chops in the Oliver Stone Film

Cruise, who spent days in veterans’ hospitals and familiarized himself with riding in a wheelchair with Kovic until the chair became an extension of his body, put his heart and soul onto the screen in Stone's film , and his performance speaks for itself. He seamlessly conveys Kovic in three different phases and, in turn, gives three uniquely nuanced performances as a hopeful teenager, a bewildered combat soldier, and a demoralized veteran working through his physical and psychological woes and his charged political activism. Cruise overcoming skepticism emanating from Stone and Kovic is paralleled in the film during Kovic's rehabilitation. Cruise's Kovic, the wide-eyed kid from Long Island who was suckered into enlisting in this untenable war, is no match for the grueling obstacles on his way to recovery . Cruise in Born is as much of a psychological showcase as it is a feat of physical exertion. Appeasing Stone's vision, there is nothing glamorous about Cruise's emotional collapse . When Kovic reforms himself as an enlightened anti-war activist, the film does not push a hopeful conclusion. In the end, the audience walks away frustrated over a young man's heart and soul being ripped away by the atrocities of war.

In the LA Times story, Oliver Stone ascribes Tom Cruise's brilliance to his pursuit of artistic excellence. "He could always do Top Gun II , and they’d [audiences] come out in droves. If he confined himself to those roles, though, his soul risked dying. This film gave him an enormous amount of self-respect," Stone said. Certain movie stars of today are risk-averse, comfortable being merely personified corporate brands. While he may exclusively work in the action genre today, Cruise strived for something more during his prime. Born on the Fourth of July was not the kind of film that a glossy movie star is expected to tackle , but Cruise never saw a challenge he couldn't accept, even in the face of doubters.

Born on the Fourth of July is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.

Watch on Netflix

Nicholas Galitzine on ‘Mary & George’ Sex Scenes, Tom Cruise’s Influence on ‘The Idea of You’ and His Disastrous ‘Dunkirk’ Audition

By Marc Malkin

Marc Malkin

Senior Editor, Culture and Events

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Nicholas Galitzine may have told his parents that he has a lot of sex scenes in “Mary & George” with both women and men, but that didn’t keep things from getting awkward when his mom and dad were by his side at the series’ London premiere.

“I was kind of in hysterics because there is nothing more uncomfortable than watching your son bed a number of characters even within the first few episodes,” the British actor, 29, tells me during a wide-ranging conversation on this week’s “ Just for Variety ” podcast.

Popular on Variety

Galitzine believes the sex on the show is “really integral to the plot and not just salacious.” While he also feels a genuine love developed between George and the king, “George’s appetite couldn’t be satiated.”

For the record, Galitzine says he doesn’t follow the news and gossip about today’s royal family. “I think that’s kind of symptomatic of my generation growing up in the U.K.,” he says. Although he does concede, “They’re certainly entertaining.”

Next month, Galitzine headlines Michael Showalter’s “ The Idea of You ” with Anne Hathaway. Galitzine plays Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of a boy band who falls in love with an older woman named Solène (Hathaway) after she brings her daughter to the group’s meet-and-greet at Coachella. The rom-com premiered at South by Southwest in March.

“That was one of the references in my head,” Galitzine says. “I think that’s my favorite scene actually in [‘The Idea of You’] because I think so much about what is talked about with this movie is obviously the more intimate scenes, but really I think the most powerful expression of love is the aftercare in a way and the connection after.”

As for his boy band performances, Galitzine looked to BTS and Backstreet Boys for inspiration. “I always reiterate: I am not a dancer,” he says. “I tried my best over having a few weeks of rehearsal, but these are skills that are honed for the majority of people’s lives. And my boy band members are all professional dancers. So I said, ‘Listen, you old shits, you better not make me look bad, OK?’”

Galitzine’s acting career began when he got a role in a play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. An indie with the late Luke Perry followed. His spotlight grew brighter when he played Prince Charming opposite Camila Cabello in the 2021 movie musical remake of “Cinderella” and as a prince of modern-day England in the queer rom-com “Red, White and Royal Blue,” co-starring Taylor Zakhar Perez .

But then there was his audition for “Dunkirk.” He says he “got very far” in the process. So much so that he was called in to read with director Christopher Nolan. “He starts reading the scene, [but] it’s not the scene that I prepared,” Galitzine recalls. He tried to improvise thinking Nolan may have been testing him, but then he froze. “I’m just staring at him for what feels like an eternity,” Galitzine remembers. “And I finally plucked up the courage to say, ‘I’m sorry, Christopher Nolan, you have the wrong scene or I’d just been royally screwed up by my team.’”

Most recently, there were rumors that Galitzine signed on to play Johnny Storm in “The Fantasic Four” reboot . While Galitzine confirms he had “conversations” about the superhero project, the part eventually went to Joseph Quinn (“Stranger Things”), something Galitzine knew before it was announced because the two are friends. However, Galitzine called his team when the internet speculation got too loud: “I was like, ‘Guys, I’m sure it’s not true, but I have to make certain it’s not true. And they go, ‘Yeah, it’s not true.’”

Perhaps Galitzine will pop up as a guest judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” He was turned on to the show –Crystal Methyd is among his favorite contestants — by his sister. He was once given a drag name — Anita Greencard — by a makeup artist on “Purple Hearts,” his hit Netflix romantic drama with Sofia Carson . A full drag transformation would happen on “Mary & George” when filming was delayed one day due to snowstorm. “My costumer became a drag king and I became a drag queen,” Galitzine says. “We sort of did the makeup for a few hours, and I kind of went around tormenting people…It’s so much joy. And I have to say the talent and the time that goes into doing this, I have so much respect for them.”

You can listen to the full interview with Galitzine above or you can download “Just for Variety” wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

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Screen Rant

All 7 tom cruise cameo roles, ranked worst to best.

Tom Cruise has appeared in many iconic roles, but he's also made cameos in several unexpected films that audiences might have forgotten.

• Tom Cruise's career showcases his versatility in dramatic, action-packed, and comedic roles, solidifying his status as a bankable star for over four decades.
• Despite being known for leading roles, Cruise has taken on unexpected cameos and minor parts, showcasing his talent even with minimal screen time.
• Some of Cruise's cameos include Young Guns and Austin Powers in Goldmember, while his minor roles came in Rock of Ages, The Outsiders, and more.

Tom Cruise has delivered many of the most memorable leading roles in modern film history, but he's also made cameo appearances in some unexpected movies. Cruise's career spans over four decades and covers practically every genre imaginable. His filmography includes no shortage of iconic movies, and as a result, he's maintained his status as a bankable star since the 1980s.

Cruise has delivered heart-pounding action in the beloved Top Gun and Mission: Impossibl e franchises, but he's also been praised for his dramatic turns in films like Magnolia and Born on the Fourth of July , both of which earned him Academy Award nominations. As such, Cruise is mainly thought of as a dramatic and action-based actor, especially in recent years. However, his earlier filmography proves that he's just as comfortable in comedic roles, such as Risky Business .

Although Cruise has done a lot of work as a leading man, he isn't afraid to take on unexpected cameos, some of which make him look virtually unrecognizable . Beyond cameos, Cruise has appeared in minor roles in several projects, especially early in his career, proving that he can make a huge impact even with a minimal amount of screen time. Many of Cruise's cameos and minor roles have allowed him to show off his talent beyond his typical leading man status. These cameos and smaller roles also prove that Cruise is a box office draw, even when he's barely in the movie.

Tom Cruise's New Deal Gives Him A Chance To Do What He Hasn't Done In 14 Years

7 young guns (1988), as henchman shot off of roof (uncredited).

Cruise is not given very much to do in Young Guns , which focuses on the life of Billy the Kid. He only appears in a brief, uncredited role as Henchman Shot off of Roof. Cruise is difficult to even recognize in the film, as he's only seen from a distance and is wearing a fake mustache. Interestingly, Cruise only appeared in the movie because he was visiting friends on set, and the director, Christopher Cain, decided to include him in a shot of the climactic final battle.

Young Guns stars Emilio Estevez, whom Cruise previously worked with on The Outsiders .

Although the Young Guns role is unremarkable, it does show Cruise's early interest in stunt work . Today, Cruise is notorious for performing his own stunts , especially ones that are challenging and dangerous. It's become a hallmark of his career, helping him stand apart from actors of the same age and giving audiences an incentive to check out his films in theaters. Cruise's willingness to topple off a roof for an uncredited role proves that he has always been game for any part, no matter how physically demanding.

*Availability in US

Not available

6 Endless Love (1981)

Cruise's very first on-screen role came in 1981's Endless Love , a romantic drama starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt. Cruise only appears briefly as Billy, a friend of Hewitt's character who recounts how he once set his crush's house on fire. Cruise, who was 19 at the time, seems like a completely different person from the movie star that audiences would grow to love just a few years later. His voice is notably higher, and he spends most of the scene dressed in only a pair of jean shorts.

The Endless Love scene itself is fairly unmemorable, but it does mark the beginning of Cruise's life as an actor, making it fun to revisit now. The role also kickstarted one of the most iconic trends in Cruise's career . When Billy is introduced, he's running during a soccer game before taking a break to chat with Hewitt's character. Running became one of Cruise's signature moves as a movie star, thanks to his distinct approach. It's interesting to see this development foreshadowed in his very first role.

5 Rock of Ages (2012)

As stacee jaxx.

The jukebox musical Rock of Ages is generally considered to be a misstep in Cruise's career, though his part is small enough that it didn't negatively impact his future success. The movie was a box office bomb and was panned by critics, currently holding a rating of only 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Cruise at least commits to the role of flamboyant rock star Stacee Jaxx. He channels real-life rock inspirations Axl Rose and Keith Richards, decked out in tattoos and heavy eyeliner that effectively make him disappear into the character.

Cruise even performed all of his own vocals for the film, singing the classic rock hits "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive." Despite the film's overall lack of quality, it's obvious that Cruise enjoyed playing against his usual heroic type , and audiences got a kick out of seeing him show off a different side as well. His performance is so fun to watch that it almost makes up for how difficult the rest of the movie is to sit through.

4 The Outsiders (1983)

As steve randle.

In 1983, the same year Cruise starred in his career-defining film Risky Business , he also made an appearance in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of The Outsiders . The star-studded cast of The Outsiders featured several up-and-coming young actors, and, in hindsight, provides a fascinating preview of where Hollywood would go in the next few decades. Cruise was cast as Steve Randle, the best friend of Rob Lowe's Sodapop Curtis, and more than held his own even in this minor role.

Cruise is charming and funny, bringing occasional moments of levity to a movie full of extremely serious topics , and it's no wonder that this performance helped jumpstart his career as an actor. However, Cruise's role is very minor, and the character ends up getting lost among all the other standout performances from actors like Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, and Ralph Macchio. Additionally, although Cruise always commits to his characters, his attempt at Randle's Southern drawl is pretty unconvincing. While this misstep can be forgiven as Cruise was still quite early in his career, it does his performance no favors.

The Outsiders

3 austin powers in goldmember (2002), as tom cruise (as austin powers).

The third installment of the Austin Powers trilogy opens with a self-parody of the franchise where it's revealed that Cruise (as himself) is playing Austin alongside several other high-profile stars, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny DeVito, and John Travolta. The film-within-a-film also ends up being a spoof of the Mission: Impossible movies, parodying their high-tech gadgets and absurd stunts. This meta casting is a perfect encapsulation of where Cruise's career was at the time .

Steven Spielberg also appears in the opening scene of Austin Powers in Goldmember as the director of the parody.

In the early 2000s, Cruise was on a run of critical and commercial hits which elevated him to becoming one of the biggest movie stars around. It makes sense that, in the world of Austin Powers , he would be the top choice to play the larger-than-life spy. Although Cruise's role in the film is contained to just the one scene, it's still an incredible performance. His straight-to-camera delivery of Powers' catchphrase " yeah, baby " is one of the movie's funniest moments. Similar to Cruise's role in Rock of Ages , his Austin Powers cameo also showed the actor's willingness to poke fun at himself.

Austin Powers in Goldmember

2 taps (1981), as cadet captain david shawn.

Taps is only Cruise's second film role. However, even with a lack of experience, Cruise manages to make a huge impact on screen. According to director Harold Becker, Cruise was originally meant to appear as a background character, but his performance was so engaging that they offered him an expanded role . Cruise appears in the film as Cadet Captain David Shawn, a high-ranking but hotheaded student at the Bunker Hill Military Academy who winds up having a big impact.

Following the tragic events of the film, Shawn opens fire on the forces coming to shut down the school, deciding to go out in a blaze of glory rather than surrender to them. His final words, " It's beautiful, man, " as he fires his machine gun became the film's most iconic quote, showing Cruise's ability to make a meal out of even a small part. His performance is incredibly powerful, especially for someone still in the early stages of his career. Looking back, the Taps role marks the beginning of Cruise's rise to movie stardom and hints at even brighter things to come.

1 Tropic Thunder (2008)

As les grossman.

Cruise is almost unrecognizable as Tropic Thunder 's Les Grossman, the hilarious but morally bankrupt studio head behind the titular film. The character was intended as a parody of many of the abusive executives that the cast and crew had worked with during their careers, and Cruise intentionally made Grossman's appearance as grotesque as possible. His receding hairline, comically hairy chest, and oversized prosthetic hands were all decided on by Cruise to bring the ridiculous character to life.

Although Cruise's role in the film is brief, his scene shouting nonsensical profane insults at the Flaming Dragon gang over the phone is one of the most memorable parts of the movie. The follow-up scene where he persuades Matthew McConaughey's character Rick to abandon his best friend to the gang memorably occurs as Grossman dances to Flo Rida's "Low." Like Cruise's work in Rock of Ages and Austin Powers in Goldmember , it's a great example of the actor not taking himself too seriously . It's also one of the most absurd moments in Tom Cruise 's career and deserves props for its sheer audacity and confidence.

Tropic Thunder

Tom Cruise, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and ‘Godzilla Minus One' Among Critics Choice Super Awards Winners

Superstars Tom Cruise and Pedro Pascal, recent Oscar winner Emma Stone and the legendary "Godzilla: Minus One" are among the winners of the 4th annual Critics Choice Super Awards.

The awards, which honor fan-favorite genres in film and television, saw a diverse array of movies and TV shows garnering accolades from international critics and journalists. Leading the cinematic charge, "Godzilla: Minus One" (Toho), "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" (Paramount), "Poor Things" (Searchlight), and "Talk to Me" (A24) each secured two wins, the most of any movies.

In the acting categories, Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson were celebrated for their roles in "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One." Recent best actress winner Emma Stone was recognized for her performance in Yorgos Lanthimos' black sci-fi comedy "Poor Things," alongside her Oscar-nominated co-star, Mark Ruffalo.

On the television front, HBO/Max's "The Last of Us" dominated, clinching seven trophies in its debut season. This sweep included awards in both the superhero and horror film categories. Stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey won two awards each for their portrayal of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world, while co-star Melanie Lynskey was named best villain.

The full list of winners are below.

Film Winners

Best Action Movie: "John Wick: Chapter 4"

Actor in an Action Movie: Tom Cruise – "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning"

Actress in an Action Movie: Rebecca Ferguson – "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning"

Superhero Movie: "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"

Actor in an Action Movie: Michael Fassbender – "The Killer"

Actress in a Superhero Movie: Iman Vellani – "The Marvels"

Horror Movie: "Talk to Me"

Actor in an Action Movie: Nicolas Cage – "Dream Scenario"

Actress in an Action Movie: Sophie Wilde – "Talk to Me"

Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie: "Godzilla Minus One"

Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie: Mark Ruffalo – "Poor Things"

Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie: Emma Stone – "Poor Things"

Villiain in a Movie: Godzilla – "Godzilla Minus One"

Action Series, Limited Series or Made for TV Movie: "Reacher"

Actor in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made for TV Movie: Idris Elba - "Hijack" (Apple TV+)

Actress in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made for TV Movie: Zoe Saldaña – "Special Ops: Lioness"

Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: "The Last of Us"

Actor in a Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: Pedro Pascal – "The Last of Us"

Actress in a Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: Bella Ramsey – "The Last of Us"

Horror Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: "The Last of Us"

Actor in a Horror Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: Pedro Pascal - "The Last of Us"

Actress in a Horror Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: Bella Ramsey - "The Last of Us"

Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: "Black Mirror: Joan Is Awful"

Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: Jharrel Jerome - "I'm a Virgo" and Kurt Russell - "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters"

Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: Annie Murphy - "Black Mirror: Joan is Awful"

Villain in a Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: Melanie Lynskey – "The Last of Us"

Superhero categories also include Comic Book and Video Game Inspired movies and series.

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Kirsten Dunst Still Gets the Famous Tom Cruise Cake 30 Years After 'Interview With the Vampire' (Exclusive)

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Just like a vampire's lifespan, Tom Cruise 's famous holiday coconut cake is eternal! Kirsten Dunst sat down with ET's Kevin Frazier to reflect on the 30th anniversary of her hit film,  Interview With a Vampire , where the subject of her co-star, Cruise, came up. 

"Still getting that cake," Dunst, 41, revealed to ET. 

She added of her husband and frequent co-star  Jesse Plemons , "Jesse gets the cakes so we double up on our cakes."

Plemons and Cruise co-starred in 2017's American Made . 

Cruise's holiday cake gift is the dessert of legends with the A-lister reportedly sending the cake to a long list of fellow celebrities each year. 

As for Dunst's thoughts on the classic 1994 vampire film, which also co-starred Brad Pitt and Antonio Banderas , she has nothing but positive associations with the film. 

"When I think back I have fond memories. It was a production like nothing I have experienced to this day. The costumes and the sets. It changed the course of my life," she shared. 

These days, Dunst is tackling another kind of horror film with her dystopian flick, Civil War . In the movie, Dunst plays Lee, a photojournalist documenting a civil war happening within modern-day America. Plemons appears opposite his wife and the mother of his two children, playing an extremist militia member. 

"He wouldn't have played a part like this if I wasn't in the film," Dunst shared. "He did a favor for us because that is a really disturbing role to play."

The couple has teamed up on several projects together, including their turn on Fargo , the show where they met.  

Civil War  is in theaters April 12. 

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