Career Timeline of Tom Cruise: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Tom Cruise built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Tom Cruise, an iconic American actor and producer, is one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. His films have grossed over $12 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors. He has received numerous accolades, including an Honorary Palme d'Or and three Golden Globe Awards, alongside four Academy Award nominations. Cruise is consistently among the world's highest-paid actors.
1992: Public Announcement of Scientology
In 1992, Tom Cruise publicly announced that he followed Scientology in an interview with Barbara Walters.
1993: Formation of Cruise/Wagner Productions
In 1993, Tom Cruise partnered with Paula Wagner to establish Cruise/Wagner Productions.
1996: Cruise's First Project as Producer: Mission: Impossible
In 1996, Mission: Impossible marked Tom Cruise's first project as a producer through Cruise/Wagner Productions.
March 2004: Publicist Resignation
In March 2004, Tom Cruise's publicist of 14 years, Pat Kingsley, resigned.
2004: Scientology Freedom Medal of Valor Awarded
In late 2004, David Miscavige created the Scientology Freedom Medal of Valor and awarded it to Tom Cruise for his work with Downtown Medical following 9/11.
November 2005: DeVette Replaced
In November 2005, Lee Anne DeVette was replaced with Paul Bloch from the publicity firm Rogers and Cowan.
2005: Cruise Lobbies French Officials
In 2005, The Council of Paris revealed that Tom Cruise had lobbied French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and Senate President Jean-Claude Gaudin regarding the recognition of Scientology as a religion.
2005: Cruise Described as a Powerful Force in Hollywood
In 2005, Tom Cruise was described by Hollywood economist Edward Jay Epstein as 'one of the most powerful—and richest—forces in Hollywood,' noting his ability to guarantee the success of a billion-dollar film franchise.
August 22, 2006: Paramount Ends Relationship with Cruise
On August 22, 2006, Paramount Pictures announced the end of its 14-year relationship with Tom Cruise, citing economic damage due to his controversial public behavior.
November 2006: Cruise and Wagner Take Over United Artists
In November 2006, Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner announced they had taken over the film studio United Artists (UA), with Cruise as a producer and actor, and Wagner as UA's chief executive.
March 2007: UA Acquires Valkyrie
In March 2007, United Artists acquired the film Valkyrie, based on the July 20, 1944, assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler.
March 21, 2007: Cruise to Play Claus von Stauffenberg in Valkyrie
On March 21, 2007, Tom Cruise signed on to play Claus von Stauffenberg in Valkyrie, marking the second production greenlighted since Cruise and Wagner took control of UA.
August 2008: Wagner Steps Down from UA
In August 2008, Paula Wagner stepped down from her position at United Artists (UA), retaining her stake in UA, combining with Cruise's share to total 30 percent of the studio.
February 9, 2010: Cruise Confirms Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Role
On February 9, 2010, Tom Cruise confirmed that he would star in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the fourth film in the Mission: Impossible series.
March 2010: Filming of Knight and Day Completed
In March 2010, Tom Cruise finished filming the action-comedy Knight and Day with Cameron Diaz.
May 6, 2011: Cruise Receives Humanitarian Award
On May 6, 2011, Tom Cruise received a humanitarian award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance for his philanthropic work.
December 2011: Release of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
In December 2011, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol was released, achieving critical acclaim and box office success, becoming Cruise's biggest commercial success to that date (unadjusted for ticket price inflation).
June 2012: Release of Rock of Ages
In June 2012, Rock of Ages was released, marking a box-office misstep for Tom Cruise, despite positive reviews for his performance as Stacee Jaxx.
December 21, 2012: Release of Jack Reacher
On December 21, 2012, the film Jack Reacher, based on Lee Child's novel One Shot, was released, achieving positive reviews and grossing $217 million worldwide.
2013: Cruise Stars in Oblivion
In 2013, Tom Cruise starred in the science fiction film Oblivion, based on Joseph Kosinski's graphic novel, which grossed $286 million worldwide and also starred Morgan Freeman and Olga Kurylenko.
2014: Cruise Stars in Edge of Tomorrow
In 2014, Tom Cruise starred in the science fiction-action film Edge of Tomorrow, which received positive reviews and grossed over $370 million.
2015: Cruise Returns as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
In 2015, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, the fifth film in the series, which he also produced and was a commercial success.
2016: Cruise Cited as Box Office Draw Regardless of Film Quality
In 2016, the founder of CinemaScore cited Tom Cruise as one of the two stars whose presence can boost box office success regardless of a film's quality.
2017: Cruise Stars in The Mummy Reboot
In 2017, Tom Cruise starred in The Mummy, a reboot of the 1932 film, which received negative reviews but still grossed over $400 million.
2018: Cruise Reprises Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Fallout
In 2018, Tom Cruise again reprised Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the sixth film in the series, which was positively received and grossed over $791 million.
May 2020: Cruise to Star in Movie Shot in Outer Space
In May 2020, it was reported that Tom Cruise would star in and produce a movie shot in outer space, directed by Doug Liman, with plans to fly to the International Space Station on a SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft.
2022: Cruise Stars in Top Gun: Maverick
In 2022, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival where Cruise earned an Honorary Palme d'Or and earning over $1 billion, becoming his highest-grossing film and Cruise earning $100 million.
July 12, 2023: Release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
On July 12, 2023, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One was released in theaters, receiving critical acclaim but facing box office challenges due to the 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon.
January 2024: Cruise's Production Company Partners with Warner Bros. Discovery
In January 2024, it was announced that Tom Cruise's production company was forming a new strategic partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to develop and produce original and franchise films.
May 2025: Release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
In May 2025, Tom Cruise is set to reprise his role in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
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