Tom Cruise stands as one of the last true movie stars in Hollywood history. For over four decades, he has dominated the box office with intense energy and daring performances. Furthermore, his dedication to entertaining audiences often pushes him to risk his life physically. Consequently, stories about his intensity on set have become legendary in the film industry. Explore these fascinating details about the actor who simply refuses to slow down.
Tom Cruise
Disney animators actually modeled the character of Aladdin on Tom Cruise. Originally, they looked at Michael J. Fox, but they felt Cruise offered more confidence and charm.
Before he discovered acting, he seriously planned to become a Catholic priest. In fact, he attended a seminary school in Cincinnati on a scholarship before eventually leaving.
Marvel Studios strongly considered him for the role of Iron Man before Robert Downey Jr. However, he declined the part because he felt the project would not work creatively.
He possesses a pilot license and owns a P-51 Mustang from World War II. He often flies this vintage aircraft himself, even using it in the recent Top Gun sequel.
Surprisingly, Japan loves him so much that they established an official “Tom Cruise Day.” The Japan Memorial Day Association honored him because he visited the country more than any other western star.
He strictly prohibits the production of action figures or video games using his likeness. Therefore, you will never find an official plastic doll of Maverick or Ethan Hunt in toy stores.
For a scene in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, he learned to hold his breath underwater for six minutes. Remarkably, he trained with free divers to lower his heart rate and conserve oxygen.
Ray-Ban sales skyrocketed dramatically after he wore their sunglasses in his movies. Specifically, sales of Wayfarers rose by 40 percent after Risky Business hit theaters.
He sends a specific white chocolate coconut cake to his famous friends every holiday season. Celebrities like Rosie O’Donnell and Jimmy Fallon eagerly await this legendary dessert each year.
A high school wrestling injury actually pushed him toward the drama club. Because he could not compete physically, he auditioned for the school play and discovered his true calling.
Anne Rice publicly criticized his casting as the vampire Lestat, calling it a bizarre choice. However, after seeing his performance, she bought a two-page ad in Variety to apologize.
He famously broke his ankle while jumping between buildings for Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Instead of stopping, he finished the take and limped past the camera to use the footage.
He struggled severely with dyslexia throughout his childhood and early career. Consequently, he often memorized his lines by listening to tapes rather than reading scripts.
If you look closely at photos, you might notice something odd about his smile. One of his front teeth sits directly in the center of his face due to dental alignment.
Finally, he danced as Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder wearing a massive prosthetic suit. He demanded fat hands for the character because he simply thought they would look funny.
Gary Oldman disappears into his roles so completely that audiences often forget who they are watching. While you might know him as Sirius Black or Commissioner Gordon, his career involves intense method acting and strange personal connections. For instance, he once had to hire a speech coach to relearn his own British voice. Furthermore, he smoked so many cigars for a role that he made himself physically sick. Prepare to unmask the Hollywood legend.
Gary Oldman
He actually forgot his natural British accent. Because he lived in America for so long, Gary Oldman lost his original way of speaking. Therefore, he hired a speech therapist to help him sound British again for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
His sister plays “Big Mo” in EastEnders. Many fans do not realize that the famous British soap star Laila Morse is actually his older sibling. Consequently, artistic talent runs deep in their family bloodline.
He suffered from severe nicotine poisoning on the set of Darkest Hour. To play Winston Churchill accurately, Gary Oldman smoked nearly $20,000 worth of premium cigars. Thus, he felt sick constantly during the grueling filming schedule.
Gary Oldman married Uma Thurman in the early 1990s. Although the marriage lasted only two years, they were one of the most talked-about couples in Hollywood. However, they both admit that the relationship was chaotic and doomed from the start.
He slept in a coffin every night while filming Dracula. To get into the mindset of the vampire, he isolated himself from the rest of the cast. This separation terrified the other actors and made his performance genuinely unsettling.
He accepted the role in Harry Potter for his children. Gary Oldman wanted a role that his sons could actually watch and enjoy. Therefore, he became the beloved Sirius Black to impress them.
He wore a fat suit that weighed 14 pounds (6.3 kilograms) for Darkest Hour. The makeup team spent four hours every day applying the prosthetics. Remarkably, he won his first Oscar for this heavy transformation.
Gary Oldman directed the gritty drama Nil by Mouth. The film depicts a brutal look at working-class life in London. He based the story largely on his own difficult childhood and his father’s behavior.
He almost played the villain in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. He recorded a voice audition for General Grievous. However, he pulled out of the project because it violated union rules regarding actors.
He lost a massive amount of weight to play Sid Vicious. For the movie Sid and Nancy, Gary Oldman ate only steamed fish and melon. Doctors eventually warned him that he was malnourished and needed to stop immediately.
He played a dwarf in the movie Tiptoes. This role remains one of the most bizarre choices in his career. Critics universally panned the film, and Oldman rarely speaks about it today.
Gary Oldman has been sober for over twenty-five years. In the 1990s, he struggled heavily with alcoholism. Fortunately, he entered rehab and completely turned his life around to focus on his family.
He improvised the famous “Everyone!” scream in Léon: The Professional. The director told him to do something wild to startle the other actors. Consequently, that terrifying yell became one of the most iconic moments in cinema history.
He received a “drunk acting” award while he was actually drunk. Early in his career, he won an award for a stage performance. Ironically, he accepted the trophy while intoxicated, which he later said was a wake-up call.
Finally, Gary Oldman plans to retire after his show Slow Horses. He stated recently that he wants to hang up his acting gloves to pursue other interests. Thus, his role as Jackson Lamb might be his final curtain call.
Emma Thompson stands out as a multi-talented talent in acting and screenwriting. With two Oscars and a lifelong commitment to drama, she inspires audiences worldwide. Discover little-known facts about her career, activism, and iconic roles that highlight her unique presence in Hollywood and British theatre.
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson is the only person to win Academy Awards for both acting and screenwriting.
She wrote the screenplay for Sense and Sensibility (1995) in just six weeks, which won her an Oscar.
Her two Oscars were presented by her frequent co-star Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Emma’s parents were actors Eric Thompson and Phyllida Law, giving her a theatrical upbringing.
She is a skilled member of the Cambridge Footlights, where she honed her comedy early in her career.
In the late 1980s, she gained attention for her performances in the BBC series Tutti Frutti and Fortunes of War.
Emma declined an offer to star in James Bond films multiple times, preferring to focus on dramatic roles.
She won a BAFTA for Best Actress for her role in Howards End (1992), a role that solidified her film career.
Emma Thompson famously reprised her role as Professor McGonagall in multiple Harry Potter films, becoming a favorite among fans.
She has a distinct voice and narrated the film Nanny McPhee (2005) while also starring in it.
Emma’s environmental activism includes voicing strong support for climate change initiatives and sustainable living.
She adapted and starred in the dark comedy Nanny McPhee based on a children’s book by Christianna Brand.
Emma Thompson won an Emmy for her guest role on Ellen in 1998, a rare comedic foray for the dramatic actress.
She has played roles in multiple Shakespearean films, including Much Ado About Nothing and Love Actually.
In 2018, Emma was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire for her contributions to drama.
