Channel 4's 'Ultimate Film' show states that, in terms of UK cinema audience rather than revenue, Cruise's most successful film in the UK was Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).

Briefly attended St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky and was a paperboy for the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Wears a mask on six different movies. In all of the three "Mission: Impossible" movies and in Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Vanilla Sky (2001) and Minority Report (2002), where the injection that makes his face disfigured can be considered as a futuristic mask.

While filming Days of Thunder (1990) at Daytona International Speedway, he drove one of the Hendricks Motorsports R&D cars around the track. The best time recorded was a lap at 205 MPH.

Premiere Magazine ranked him as the #3 Greatest Movie Star of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).

Was considered for the lead in The Matrix (1999).

Studied with renowned acting coach Phil Gushee at Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, New York.

Is reportedly a huge fan of The Simpsons. However, he has twice turned down guest roles; once for the part of "Tom," which was written specifically for him, in the episode "Brother From The Same Planet" (eventually voiced by regular Phil Hartman) and the other alongside his then-wife Nicole Kidman in the episode "When You Dish Upon A Star" (eventually voiced by then-couple Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger).

Has played a soldier in six different movies. Taps (1981), Top Gun (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), A Few Good Men (1992), The Last Samurai (2003) and Valkyrie (2008).

Emilio Estevez served as best man at his wedding to Mimi Rogers.

Born to Thomas Mapother III (15 October 1934 - January 1984), an electrical engineer, and his wife Mary Lee Pfeiffer, a special education teacher.

Has two dogs called Basil and Murray and a cat called Harvey.

Considered for the role, in Crimson Tide (1995), that went to Denzel Washington.

Suffers from dyslexia.

Cousin of actor William Mapother and Amy Mapother.

In September of 2006, he visited actress Brooke Shields at her home and personally apologized to her for criticizing her in 2005 about her use of prescription medication to overcome her post par-tum depression. Touched by the gesture, Brooke accepted his apology.

He and ex-wife Nicole Kidman made 3 movies together: Days of Thunder (1990), Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and Far and Away (1992). They met on the set of Days of Thunder (1990)

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world (1991).

Lived together with Vanilla Sky (2001) co-star Penélope Cruz from 2001 to 2004.

As of 2006, he is tied with Tom Hanks for the actor with the most consecutive $100 million-grossing movies (7).

Received the John Huston Award for Artists Rights in 1998.

Parents divorced when he was 12.

While filming Days of Thunder (1990) at Daytona International Speedway, he enjoyed playing football with the truck drivers. He was the receiver - he loved going deep to catch a pass.

Is right handed when writing, but does most things left handed.

Attended Packanack School in Wayne, New Jersey from first through third grade.

Huge fan of professional wrestling.

Ranked #14 on Premiere's 2006 "Power 50" list. Had ranked #14 in 2005 as well. He is the highest-ranked actor on the list.

Cruise earned roughly $75 million for Mission: Impossible II (2000). He did this by turning down any upfront salary, for instead taking a back-end deal that landed him 30% of the film's gross for both his producing and acting duties.

Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world (1997).

Is the only actor to ever work with all of the following directors; Oliver Stone in Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Martin Scorsese in The Color of Money (1986), Stanley Kubrick in Eyes Wide Shut (1999), and Steven Spielberg in Minority Report (2002).

Resurrected United Artists together with MGM executives to produce and star in some of the company's projects (November 2006).

Was named the #1 top money-making star at the box office in Quigley Publications annual poll of movie exhibitors a record seven times between 1986 and 2005. Being crowned the top box office champ in 2005 put Cruise one title ahead of Tom Hanks, who has been named #1 at the B.O. six times. Bing Crosby and Burt Reynolds both were named #1 for five consecutive years, and Clint Eastwood also has been #1 five times, but non-consecutively.

Has three sisters: Marian, Lee Anne De Vette and Cass. Lee Anne became his publicist in 2004 after he left Pat Kingsley.

His adopted son Conor Antony was born on 17 January 1995.

The name Mapother is pronounced like "MAY bother", only with a P.

The Japan Memorial Day Association declared 10 October 2006 "Tom Cruise Day".

His character Lt. Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men (1992) was based on real life U.S. Navy JAG Corp Donald Marcari, who now works as an attorney with Marcari, Russotto, and Spencer P.C. in Cheaspeake, Virginia.

Announced that his relationship with Penélope Cruz had ended in January 2004. [March 2004]

Engaged to actress Katie Holmes (17 June 2005).

Mentioned in the song 'High School Never Ends' by 'Bowling For Soup'.

Earned his pilot's license in Toronto, Canada in 1994.

Stepfather of his children Isabella and Connor is Keith Urban

Graduated from Glen Ridge High School in New Jersey (June 1980).

Ranked #14 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #16 in 2002.

Mentioned in song "Faudrait leur dire" by French rap band "3eme oeil".

Filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Michael Davis, a man who allegedly offered to sell videotapes of himself having sex with the actor. The lawsuit accuses Davis of making the statements "in order to hurt the plaintiff and gain widespread publicity for himself." (May 2001).

Has appeared in films opposite four directors who have also directed his films. Sydney Pollack, who directed The Firm (1993), appeared in Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Paul Thomas Anderson, who directed Magnolia (1999), appeared as an extra in Minority Report (2002). Minority Report (2002) director Steven Spielberg appeared in Vanilla Sky (2001) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). Cameron Crowe, who directed Jerry Maguire (1996) and Vanilla Sky (2001), appeared in Minority Report (2002).

Spoke at his niece's, Lee Anne De Vette's daughter, graduation from the Delphian School.

While a student at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, he studied one of his courses under legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner.

Time magazine once described him as a "baby-faced Christopher Reeve".

Chosen "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine (1990).

The years of birth of his wives are 11 years apart: Mimi Rogers was born in 1956, Nicole Kidman in 1967 and Katie Holmes in 1978.

Was ranked # 1 in Forbes Celebrity 100 Who Made Bank (2006).

Voted Best Dressed Male Movie Star (1997).

Was originally to star in Enemy of the State (1998), but scheduling conflicts with Eyes Wide Shut (1999) forced him to miss out on the film. His part went to Will Smith.

Enjoys skydiving, scuba diving, and piloting his Pitts Special S-2B stunt plane

When attending a Franciscan seminary in Cincinatti, he aspired to become a priest.

He and Nicole Kidman adopted two children, Isabella and Connor.

Ranked #18 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties

Has German and English ancestry from his father's as well as German and Irish ancestry from his mother's family.

Although they officialized their marriage in Los Angeles prior, he and Katie Holmes celebrated their wedding in the Odescalchi castle in Bracciano, Italy. The ceremony was performed by a Scientology minister in front of more than 150 relatives and friends including Hollywood superstars such as Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Russell Crowe, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Richard Gere, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Kirstie Alley. Italian pop opera purveyor Andrea Bocelli serenaded the newlyweds (18 November 2006).

Instead of his affair with Penélope Cruz damaging both their careers, it only boosted it.

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world (1990).

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year to be $31 million.

Lost out to actor Peter Barton for the lead role in "The Powers of Matthew Star" (1982).

He is a big fan of British singer Joss Stone.

Stopped to help a hit and run victim and paid her hospital bills. The victim was aspiring Brazilian actress Heloisa Vinhas (1996).

Due to his friendship to David Beckham, he became a supporter of Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.

Mission: Impossible (1996) gave him a total of $70 million with percentage of gross included.

First actor in history to star in five consecutive films that grossed $100 million in the USA: A Few Good Men (1992), The Firm (1993), Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), Mission: Impossible (1996), Jerry Maguire (1996).

Recently restored an older home in the township of Biltmore Forest, a town within the city limits of Asheville, North Carolina (2000).

Renée Zellweger thanked him in her Oscar acceptance speech when she won 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role' for Cold Mountain (2003).

Owns and operates "Montana Miss" a WWII P-51 Mustang.

He and his former girlfriend Penélope Cruz appeared together in Vanilla Sky (2001)

He didn't stay for the remainder of the 2002 Academy Awards after opening them because it was his turn to look after his and ex-wife Nicole Kidman's children. He reportedly left the Kodak Theatre by a back door after opening proceedings and dashed home to watch the rest of the event on TV with his adopted kids Conor and Isabella.

Was offered for the lead of Reign Over Me (2007).

Once lived in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada & attended the same high school as Bryan Adams.

While attending the London premiere of War of the Worlds (2005), he was squirted in the face with water during a prank interview. His reaction on camera was stern but not livid. The culprit was charged with assault.

Attended the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City.

Has worked with an impressive list of master filmmakers: Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Francis Ford Coppola, Oliver Stone, Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg.

His adopted daughter Isabella Jane was born on 22 December 1992.

He has been named to the Top 10 Poll of Money-Making Stars 18 times, as ranked by Quigley Publications' annual poll of movie exhibitors. With his 18th appearance on the B.O. list, he moved out of a tie for 4th place tie with Paul Newman (17 appearances on the list) into a tie for #3 with Gary Cooper. John Wayne is #1 on the all-time list, with 25 appearances in the Top 10, followed by Clint Eastwood with 21 appearances on the list. Gary Cooper rounds out the top three. Due to his young age and continued popularity, it is conceivable that within 10 years, he will exceed Wayne as the #1 box office champ ever.

Will not allow his likeness to be used in video games or for action figures.

Proposed to Katie Holmes at the Eiffel Tower in Paris

He was voted the 31st Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly.

Has married two actresses who played Batman's love interest. Nicole Kidman from Batman Forever (1995) and Katie Holmes from Batman Begins (2005).

He took up acting after losing his place on a high school wrestling team due to a knee injury.

At age 14, he enrolled in a seminary to become a priest. He dropped out after one year.

Is a vegetarian.

Ranked #4 in Star TV's Top 10 Box Office Stars of the 1990s (2003)

Studied drama at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse, in conjunction with the Actors Studio, New School University, New York.

Is talked about in the song "Though the Wire" by Kanye West.

Although the shooting of Valkyrie (2008) caused controversy in Germany due to his Scientology membership, he was awarded at the Bambi Awards for "Courage", a category, newly created by the organizers to honor him for "tackling a story that had never been covered by Hollywood before". The decision was also heavily criticized by journalists and politicians (2 December 2007).

He and Katie Holmes both wore Armani at their wedding.

According to Forbes, for each dollar he got paid, Cruise's movies averaged $11 of gross income (December 2007).

Caused a stir in the medical community when he claimed, in an interview, that Scientology cured him of his dyslexia (1992).

Topped Forbes magazine's "100 Top Celebrities" list in 2006 ahead of The Rolling Stones and Oprah Winfrey (June 2006).

Lives with his sister Cass and her three children in Los Angeles (September 2004).

Tom and Katie Holmes became the parents of Suri Cruise, who was born on April 18, 2006 in Los Angeles. "Suri" weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was 20 inches.

Best Man at his wedding to Katie Holmes was his best friend David Miscavige.

His May 2005 appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986) was named the #1 "Celebrity Meltdown Ever" by TV Guide Magazine.

For 1988, he became the first actor to have the distinction of starring in both the year's Oscar winner for Best Picture, Rain Man (1988) and the year's Razzie "winner" for Worst Picture, Cocktail (1988).

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#41) (1995).

Ranked #3 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list (October 1997).

While he was working with Paul Newman in the The Color of Money (1986), he engaged in much conversation with the politically active actor. The resulting conscious raising changed him from an actor who ignored the jingoistic tone of Top Gun (1986) to a performer who chose a film with a strong anti-war tone, Born on the Fourth of July (1989) to counter his contribution to the former film.

Donated to Hillary Rodham Clinton's electoral campaign for the U.S. Senate together with his then wife Nicole Kidman (2000).

Attended St. Raphael The Archangel Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Celebrated his 43rd birthday atop the holiday box office with War of the Worlds (2005).

Was the original choice for the role of Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).

On August 22, 2006, Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone announced through the "Wall Street Journal" that Viacom' Paramount subsidiary was terminating its development dealt with Cruise after 14 years. Redstone said the firm terminated its deal with Cruise due to the under-performance of Mission: Impossible III (2006) (which had been expected to gross $100-150 million more than it did), which he attributed to Cruise's "bad behavior". Movie pundits were somewhat surprised by the announcement, as Cruise remains the top B.O. draw in North America and was Paramount's cash cow. Cruise's films reportedly have accounted for 32% of Paramount Pictures' revenues in the last six years, and he was named the Top Box Office draw for a record 7th time by Quigley Publications for the year 2005. As part of its machinations before severing its connections with Cruise, Paramount leaked to the press the information that the deal was worth $10 million annually; however, the development deal actually was for $3 million per annum. At the time of the announcement, Cruise and his advisers were considering Paramount's new offer of $2 million per year in development money when Redstone dropped his bombshell. The news gave rise to speculation that Paramount has run out of cash as it reportedly has told other development partners with which it has deals to use their own cash for the rest of the year, with the proviso they will be reimbursed come 2007.

Ranked #14 on Premiere's 2005 Power 50 List. He is the highest ranked actor on the list.

Was introduced to Scientology by his ex-wife Mimi Rogers.

Has donated to charities such as The Ashley Flint Fund, The Tsunami Relief Fund, Themoms.biz Diabetes Fund, Hillary Rodham Clinton's Campaign and The Church of Scientology.

He and Katie Holmes honeymooned in the Maldives.

In the past twenty years since his first hundred million dollar grosser (Top Gun (1986)), only six of his films have failed to reach that status.

Listed at Number 7 on "The Top 10 Box Office Moneymakers of 2007".

He was in two different movies featuring the song "Iko Iko" on its soundtrack - Rain Man (1988) by The Belle Stars and Mission: Impossible II (2000) by Zap Mama.

Wore braces on his flashy, million-dollar smile in 2002 to correct a misaligned bite.