There are superstars and then there is Tom Cruise. The Hollywood icon needs no introduction. With looks to die for and the acting skills of a thespian, Tom Cruise is a global star if there ever was one. Today, the actor celebrates his 60th birthday. At an age when people around the world look towards retirement, Tom Cruise is the most bankable movie star in every sense of the term. The actor's latest offering Top Gun: Maverick has collected over $1.020 billion globally — no mean feat in the post-pandemic world. And now it is all eyes on the actor's next instalment of the much-loved Mission: Impossible franchise.
On his 60th birthday, we take a look at some of his finest performances:
- A Few Good Men
This incredible film is a courtroom drama that has Tom Cruise at the front and centre of an important story. The film has Tom Cruise going head to head with Jack Nicholson and the result is magical. The epic “You can't handle the truth” scene is the stuff of legends.
- Magnolia
The film boasts of an ensemble cast of Tom Cruise, Melinda Dillon, Jeremy Blackman, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, and Michael Murphy, among others. Despite the heavyweights, Tom Cruise's portrayal of Frank T.J. Mackey, a pickup artist who uses his talents to build a career in public speaking, has been often cited as one of his career-best performances.
- Jerry Maguire
In Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise plays the eponymous sports agent who has a moral epiphany changing the course of his life. The film fetched Tom Cruise an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category.
- The Firm
This 1993 film is based on the renowned John Grisham novel and features Tom Cruise as a hotshot lawyer who realises that his dream job could cost him his conscience and more.
- Rain Man
While Rain Man will always be remembered for Dustin Hoffman's inspired performance, Tom Cruise as the man looking to capitalise on his autistic brother's fight for numbers shows his range as an actor.
- Born on the Fourth of July
It is not surprising that Tom Cruise got an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the veteran and activist Ron Kovic. Kovic was left paralyzed fighting in Vietnam and his character's journey as a man who comes home to find out that his views about his motherland changed is a master class in acting.
- Cocktail
As an attractive and smart New York bartender, Tom Cruise is charming personified in Cocktail. If you have a crush on the superstar, this film is a must-watch.
- Risky Business
One of Tom Cruise's first films as a leading man, Risky Business is a coming-of-age drama-comedy that showed fans that the actor is here to stay and charm his way into the audience's hearts.
- Mission: Impossible (Franchise)
The Mission: Impossible series of films needs no introduction. The action spy films feature Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, as the suave and stylish spy who will stop at nothing for justice. After six successful films, the franchise will return with two more movies Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in 2023 and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two in 2024.
10.Top Gun (Franchise)
Top Gun, the first movie, released in 1986 and features Tom Cruise as LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a US Navy pilot and is one of his most celebrated films. The 2022 sequel, which comes 36 years after the first film, has the audience enthralled and is currently running in theatres across the world.
Tell us your favourite Tom Cruise film from the list.
