In 1976, if you had told fourteen-year-old Franciscan seminary student Thomas Cruise Mapother IV that one day in the not too distant future he would be Tom Cruise, one of the top 100 movie stars of all time, he would have probably grinned and told you that his ambition was to join the priesthood. In 1976, if you had told fourteen-year-old Franciscan seminary student Thomas Cruise Mapother IV that one day in the not too distant future he would be Tom Cruise, one of the top 100 movie stars of all time, he would have probably grinned and told you that his ambition was to join the priesthood. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV (/ ˈmeɪˌpɒθər / MAY-poth-ər; [1] born July 3, 1962) is an American actor and film producer. Actor Tom Cruise has starred in ‘Jerry Maguire,’ the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, and the ‘Top Gun’ movies. Read about his movies, ex-wives, kids, and more. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV (/ ˈtɒməs ˈkruːz ˈmeɪpɒθər /; born July 3, 1962) is an American actor and producer. He has starred in many movies, including War of the Worlds and Jerry Maguire. Tom Cruise is an American actor and producer who made his film debut with a minor role in the 1981 romantic drama Endless Love. [1][2] He followed that with a standout supporting performance as Cadet Captain David Shawn in the 1981 military school drama, Taps. (1981). Tom Cruise reportedly learned his lesson not to speak publicly about Scientology after facing backlash over his ties to the controversial group. However, that didn't stop the actor from. Tom Cruise debuts gray hair and a gut for upcoming film 'Digger,' shocking CinemaCon with his bold transformation. Tom Cruise says that he warns his new collaborators upfront that the ‘rumors’ of him being ‘intense’ are true. Cruise is perhaps best known for playing secret agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible series, for which he famously does most of his own dangerous stunts.