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. 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.

Sections (5)

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

1986: Conversion to Scientology

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

May 9, 1987: Cruise Marries Mimi Rogers

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

February 4, 1990: Cruise Divorces Mimi Rogers

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

December 24, 1990: Cruise Marries Nicole Kidman

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

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1990: Involvement Leaked

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

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.

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.

1999: Rathbun Convinces Cruise

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

February 5, 2001: Cruise and Kidman Announce Separation

On February 5, 2001, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman announced their separation.

May 2001: Lawsuit against 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 Cruise.

2001: Cruise Linked to Penélope Cruz

In 2001, Tom Cruise was romantically linked with Penélope Cruz, his co-star in Vanilla Sky.

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January 2003: Judge rules against Slater

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

2003: Brooke Shields Uses Paxil

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

January 2004: Cruise says psychiatry should be outlawed

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

2004: Cruise and Cruz Relationship Ends

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

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.

April 2005: Cruise Begins Dating Katie Holmes

In April 2005, Tom Cruise began dating actress Katie Holmes.

June 24, 2005: Argument on Today Show

On June 24, 2005, Tom Cruise had a heated argument with Matt Lauer on NBC's Today show regarding his views on psychiatry.

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

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.

April 2006: Birth of Cruise and Holmes' Daughter Suri

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

July 5, 2006: WIPO rules in favor of Cruise

On July 5, 2006, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ruled in favor of Tom Cruise, handing down the decision to turn the TomCruise.com domain over to him.

August 2006: Apology to Brooke Shields

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

January 15, 2008: Scientology Video Posted on YouTube

On January 15, 2008, a video produced by the Church of Scientology featuring an interview with Tom Cruise discussing what being a Scientologist means to him was posted on YouTube.

2008: Restrictions on Scientology Questions

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

2009: Dismissal of Sapir's Suit

In 2009, a Central Civil West court judge in Los Angeles dismissed Michael Davis Sapir's suit charging that his phone had been wiretapped at Tom Cruise's behest because the statute of limitations had expired.

2010: Cruise Inducted into Living Legends of Aviation

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

2011: Publication of 'Inside Scientology'

In 2011, Janet Reitman's book, Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion, was published, detailing Tom Cruise's reaction to Scientology secrets.

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

Check it on Amazon

June 29, 2012: Holmes files for divorce

On June 29, 2012, Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise, initiating the legal process to end their marriage.

October 2012: Cruise files defamation lawsuit

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

October 2012: Vanity Fair Article on Cruise and Scientology

In October 2012, an article in Vanity Fair reported on a secret project by Scientologist leaders to find Tom Cruise a new girlfriend after his breakup with Penélope Cruz.

2013: 'Going Clear' Book Published

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

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

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June 2020: Cruise Video Views on YouTube

As of June 2020, the Scientology video featuring Tom Cruise posted on YouTube had achieved over 15 million views.

2024: Cruise Promotes Los Angeles 2028 Olympics at Paris Closing Ceremony

In 2024, Tom Cruise promoted the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony by jumping from the roof of the Stade de France stadium in Paris.