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 is a highly successful American actor and producer, considered a Hollywood icon. He has won numerous awards, including three Golden Globes and an Honorary Palme d'Or, and has been nominated for four Academy Awards. Cruise's films have grossed over $13.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing and highest-paid actors in history.

Sections (5)

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

July 20, 1944: Assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler

On July 20, 1944, there was an assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler, based on which the 2007 film Valkyrie was based on.

1986: Cruise converts 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 and Mimi Rogers divorced.

December 24, 1990: Marriage to Nicole Kidman

On December 24, 1990, Tom Cruise married actress Nicole Kidman, whom he met on the set of "Days of Thunder".

1990: Cruise's Scientology involvement leaked

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

1992: Adoption of Isabella Jane

In 1992, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman adopted their daughter, Isabella Jane.

1992: Cruise publicly announces he follows Scientology

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

1995: Adoption of Connor Antony

In 1995, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman adopted their son, Connor Antony.

1998: Cruise sues Daily Express

In 1998, Tom Cruise successfully sued the Daily Express, a British tabloid, which alleged that his marriage to Nicole Kidman was a sham designed to cover up his homosexuality.

1999: Miscavige sends Rathbun to convince Cruise to return to the Church

In 1999, Marty Rathbun was sent by David Miscavige to convince Tom Cruise to return to the Church of Scientology and continue his studies.

February 5, 2001: Separation Announcement from Nicole Kidman

On February 5, 2001, the couple's spokesperson announced Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's separation.

May 2001: Cruise sues Chad Slater

In May 2001, Tom Cruise filed a lawsuit against gay porn actor Chad Slater after Slater claimed to have had an affair with him. Cruise strongly denied the claims.

January 2003: Judge rules against Slater in Cruise lawsuit

In January 2003, a Los Angeles judge decided against Chad Slater, in the lawsuit filed by Tom Cruise, after Slater admitted that his claims were false.

2003: Shields uses Paxil after the birth of her first daughter

In 2003, actress Brooke Shields used the drug Paxil (paroxetine), an antidepressant which she used to recover from postpartum depression after the birth of her first daughter.

January 2004: Cruise states psychiatry should be outlawed

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

2004: Cruise and Cruz end their relationship

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

April 2005: Cruise begins dating Katie Holmes

In April 2005, Tom Cruise began dating actress Katie Holmes. The couple made their first public appearance together in Rome on April 27 of the same year.

June 24, 2005: Cruise and Lauer heated argument on NBC's Today

On June 24, 2005, Tom Cruise had a heated argument with Matt Lauer on NBC's Today, regarding Cruise's views on psychiatry and his criticism of Brooke Shields' use of antidepressants.

October 6, 2005: Cruise and Holmes announce they are expecting a child

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

2005: Cruise lobbies French officials to recognize Scientology as a religion

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: Cruise and Holmes' daughter Suri is born

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

July 5, 2006: Cruise wins domain name dispute over TomCruise.com

On July 5, 2006, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) handed down the decision to turn the TomCruise.com domain name over to Tom Cruise, after he sued cybersquatter Jeff Burgar.

August 2006: Cruise apologizes to Shields

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

January 15, 2008: Cruise Scientology video posted on YouTube

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

2008: Cruise restricts interviewers from asking about Scientology

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

2009: Lawsuit against Cruise dismissed

In 2009, a suit filed by magazine editor Michael Davis Sapir, charging that his phone had been wiretapped at Tom Cruise's behest, was dismissed due to the statute of limitations expiring.

2010: Induction into Living Legends of Aviation

In 2010, Tom Cruise, an aerobatic pilot, was inducted as part of the Living Legends of Aviation and received the Aviation Inspiration and Patriotism Award.

2011: Inside Scientology book published

In 2011, Janet Reitman's book Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion, mentioned that Tom Cruise took a 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 files for divorce from Cruise

On June 29, 2012, Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise, amidst speculation that the marriage was arranged by the Church of Scientology.

October 2012: Cruise sues In Touch and Life & Style magazines for defamation

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

2013: Publication of Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

Lawrence Wright's book, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, was published in 2013, spotlighting Tom Cruise's role in Scientology.

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

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2015: Documentary adaptation of Going Clear released

In 2015, Alex Gibney's documentary adaptation of the book Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief was released, further exploring Tom Cruise's role in Scientology.

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2028: Promoting Los Angeles Summer Olympics

In 2024, Tom Cruise promoted the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics by making an appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony. In the ceremony, he took the flag from Mayor Karen Bass and athlete Simone Biles.