Childhood and Education Journey of Tom Cruise in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Tom Cruise. A timeline of key moments.

Tom Cruise, an iconic American actor and producer, is one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. He has garnered numerous awards, including an Honorary Palme d'Or and three Golden Globes. His films have collectively grossed over $13.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors in history. Cruise is also consistently among the world's highest-paid actors, solidifying his status as a major figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1934: Birth of Thomas Cruise Mapother III

In 1934, Thomas Cruise Mapother III, Tom Cruise's father, was born.

1936: Birth of Mary Lee Pfeiffer

In 1936, Mary Lee (née Pfeiffer), Tom Cruise's mother, was born.

July 3, 1962: Tom Cruise's Birth

On July 3, 1962, Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, known as Tom Cruise, was born. He is an American actor and film producer, recognized as a Hollywood icon.

1971: Move to Canada

In 1971, Tom Cruise's family moved to Beacon Hill, Ottawa, Canada, due to his father's job with the Canadian Armed Forces.

1978: Mother's Remarriage

In 1978, Tom Cruise's mother remarried to Jack South after leaving his father and moving back to the United States with her children.

1980: Graduation from High School

In 1980, Tom Cruise graduated from Glen Ridge High School in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

1984: Father's Death

In 1984, Tom Cruise's father died of cancer, impacting his life significantly.

1986: Converted to Scientology

In 1986, Tom Cruise was converted to Scientology by his first wife, Mimi Rogers.

May 9, 1987: Marriage to Mimi Rogers

On May 9, 1987, Tom Cruise married actress Mimi Rogers.

February 4, 1990: Divorce from Mimi Rogers

On February 4, 1990, Tom Cruise divorced actress Mimi Rogers.

December 24, 1990: Marriage to Nicole Kidman

On December 24, 1990, Tom Cruise married actress Nicole Kidman.

1990: Involvement Leaked

In 1990, Tom Cruise's involvement in Scientology was leaked by the tabloid Star.

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1992: Public Announcement

In 1992, Tom Cruise publicly announced he followed Scientology in an interview with Barbara Walters.

1994: Pilot Certificate

Since 1994, Tom Cruise has held a pilot certificate.

1998: Sued the Daily Express

In 1998, Tom Cruise successfully sued the Daily Express, a British tabloid, for alleging his marriage to Nicole Kidman was a sham.

1999: Return to Scientology

In 1999, after initially stepping back from Scientology, Marty Rathbun was sent by David Miscavige to convince Tom Cruise to return to the Church and continue his studies.

October 2000: Fundraising event for Hillary Clinton

In October 2000, Tom Cruise attended and spoke at a birthday fundraising event for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton during her Senate campaign in New York.

February 5, 2001: Separation from Nicole Kidman

On February 5, 2001, the separation of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman was announced.

May 2001: Filed lawsuit against Chad Slater

In May 2001, Tom Cruise filed a lawsuit against gay porn actor Chad Slater for claiming they had an affair.

January 2003: Judgment against Chad Slater

In January 2003, a Los Angeles judge ruled against Chad Slater in the lawsuit filed by Tom Cruise after Slater admitted his claims were false and defaulted in defending himself. Slater was ordered to pay $10 million in damages.

January 2004: Comment on psychiatry

In January 2004, Tom Cruise stated, "I think psychiatry should be outlawed."

March 2004: Pat Kingsley resignation

In March 2004, Tom Cruise's publicist of 14 years, Pat Kingsley, resigned.

2004: Breakup with Penélope Cruz

In 2004, Tom Cruise's three-year relationship with Penélope Cruz ended.

April 2005: Began Dating Katie Holmes

In April 2005, Tom Cruise began dating actress Katie Holmes and made their first public appearance together in Rome on April 27.

June 2005: Criticism of Brooke Shields

In June 2005, Tom Cruise criticized actress Brooke Shields for using the antidepressant Paxil to treat postpartum depression, leading to a heated exchange with interviewer Matt Lauer on NBC's Today.

October 6, 2005: Announcement of pregnancy

On October 6, 2005, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announced that they were expecting a child.

November 2005: Lee Anne DeVette replaced

In November 2005, Lee Anne DeVette, Tom Cruise's sister and publicist, was replaced by Paul Bloch from Rogers and Cowan.

2005: Lobbied French Officials

In 2005, Tom Cruise lobbied French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and Senate President Jean-Claude Gaudin to recognize Scientology as a religion in Europe. The Council of Paris described Cruise as a militant spokesman for Scientology and barred any further dealings with him.

April 2006: Birth of Suri Noelle

In April 2006, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter, Suri Noelle, was born.

July 5, 2006: Won control of TomCruise.com domain

On July 5, 2006, The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ruled that cybersquatter Jeff Burgar had to turn over the TomCruise.com domain name to Tom Cruise.

August 2006: Apology to Brooke Shields

In August 2006, Tom Cruise apologized in person to Brooke Shields for his comments regarding her use of antidepressants.

January 15, 2008: Scientology video posted on YouTube

On January 15, 2008, a video featuring an interview with Tom Cruise discussing Scientology was posted on YouTube by Project Chanology. YouTube initially removed the video but later reinstated it.

2008: Restricted Scientology questions in interviews

Since 2008, Tom Cruise has restricted interviewers from asking him about Scientology.

January 2009: Obama Election Comments

In January 2009, while promoting Valkyrie, Tom Cruise stated that the election of Barack Obama as president brought "hope, absolute hope" to the United States.

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2009: Lawsuit Dismissal

In 2009, a lawsuit filed by magazine editor Michael Davis Sapir, who alleged his phone was wiretapped at Tom Cruise's request, was dismissed by a Central Civil West court judge in Los Angeles due to the statute of limitations expiring.

2010: Induction into Living Legends of Aviation

In 2010, Tom Cruise was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation and received the Aviation Inspiration and Patriotism Award from the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy.

2011: Inside Scientology book release

In 2011, Janet Reitman's book, Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion, described Tom Cruise's reaction to Scientology secrets and his temporary step back from the Church to work on the film Eyes Wide Shut.

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Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion

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June 29, 2012: Holmes filed for divorce

On June 29, 2012, Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise.

October 2012: Defamation Lawsuit

In October 2012, Tom Cruise filed a lawsuit against In Touch and Life & Style magazines for defamation after they claimed he had "abandoned" his six-year-old daughter.

2013: Going Clear book release

Lawrence Wright's 2013 book Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief cast a spotlight on Tom Cruise's role in Scientology.

Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

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2015: Going Clear documentary adaptation

Alex Gibney's 2015 documentary adaptation of the book Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, also cast a spotlight on Tom Cruise's role in Scientology.

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