From heart-stopping action sequences to soul-searching dramatic roles, Tom Cruise has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. Born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, Cruise overcame a challenging childhood marred by poverty and dyslexia to rise as one of Hollywood’s most bankable and recognizable stars. But beyond the big screen, Cruise’s off-screen persona is equally captivating. His interviews, public addresses, and candid moments have often been a treasure trove of insights, motivation, and reflection.
Before diving deep into the ocean of his memorable quotes, let’s pause for a moment to appreciate the journey of this remarkable actor. With a career spanning over four decades, Cruise has given us iconic roles in films like ‘Top Gun’, ‘Jerry Maguire’, ‘Mission: Impossible’ series, and ‘A Few Good Men’, to name a few. His dedication, commitment to his craft, and the ability to reinvent himself has made him a revered figure in the film industry.
Yet, what truly sets Tom Cruise apart are not just his performances, but the wisdom and life lessons he shares through his words. So, as we explore some of the most poignant Tom Cruise quotes, let them inspire, challenge, and remind us of the passion and dedication of this Hollywood luminary.
Table of Contents
- Tom Cruise Quotes on Life
- Tom Cruise Quotes on Movies and Film-Making
- Tom Cruise Quotes on Scientology and Religion
- Tom Cruise Quotes from Movies
- Interesting Facts about Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise Quotes on Life
I’m passionate about learning. I’m passionate about life.
I always look for a challenge and something that’s different.
Nothing ends nicely, that’s why it ends.
My childhood was extremely lonely. I was dyslexic and lots of kids made fun of me. That experience made me tough inside, because you learn to quietly accept ridicule.
I’ve learned to relax more. Everybody feels pressure in what they do, maybe mine is just a little different because there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish what I want to.
I have respect for what other people believe. What I believe in my own life is that it’s a search for how I can do things better, whether it’s being a better man or a better father or finding ways for myself to improve.
I love kids. I was a kid myself, once.
When you have to cope with a lot of problems, you’re either going to sink or you’re going to swim.
I look at the Samurai because they were the artists of their time. What I think struck me when I read Bushido is compassion. ‘If there’s no one there to help, go out and find someone to help.’ That hit me, because I try to lead my life like that.
I’m an all-or-nothing kind of person, and when I become interested in something, I give it my all.
If you have kids, it is the most important thing to create good times.
I disagree with people who think you learn more from getting beat up than you do from winning.
Here’s how I’ve lived my life: I’ve never been late to a set. I make films I believe in. I feel privileged to be able to do what I love.
No dream is ever just a dream.
The important thing is to be relaxed in your work. Same in life. Don’t make everything too intense. Then you can let everything go and not “act.”
I demand a lot of myself. I want to learn. I can’t sit back. I like a challenge, so I create a lot of challenges for myself.
I don’t care who you are, life has challenges.
I feel lonely at times, but I don’t want to get into a relationship with someone if it is not right. I’m not the type of person who just does things to do them.
I want a world without war, a world without insanity. I want to see people do well. I don’t even think it’s as much as what I want for myself. It’s more what I want for the people around me. That’s what I want.
I don’t care if you print something nasty about me. If it’s true, fine. I don’t care. But just make sure it’s the truth.
I’ve had a very interesting life. There are ways of handling the complexities. I’m willing to take on the responsibilities as a father, as a producer, as an actor; and I enjoy that. I’ve always been changing and evolving and growing. There’s no pinnacle of power where you can sit back and relax.
There is Life in every breath.
I’m someone who doesn’t believe in making my problems other people’s problems.
I’ve had such extremes in my life. From being this kind of wild kid to one year studying to be a Franciscan priest at the seminary.
It’s our responsibility to educate, create the new reality.
Tom Cruise Quotes on Movies and Film-Making
I love what I do. I take great pride in what I do. And I can’t do something halfway, three-quarters, nine-tenths. If I’m going to do something, I go all the way.
I go without sleep; I just go hard.
The exciting part of acting, I don’t know how else to explain it, are those moments when you surprise yourself.
The thing about film-making is I give it everything, that’s why I work so hard. I always tell young actors to take charge. It’s not that hard. Sign your own cheques, be responsible.
When I work, I work very hard. So I look to work with people who have that level of dedication. And I depend on that from everyone. From the director to my crews that I work with.
What I find sometimes that is tricky is if actors are using too much of their own life in a picture, in a scene, they get locked into a particular way to play the scene, and it lacks an immediacy.
I’ve never done work for money ever. If your choices are based on grosses and the film doesn’t do well, what does that mean? It leaves you with nothing.
As a young actor, people were trying to define who I was before I really knew that for myself. But I still remember thinking, ‘This is what I love doing, and I hope I’m going to be able to do it forever.’
When I first started out all the attention could be a bit unnerving, especially when people stared. Now I find the best thing is to just relax. Being recognized is just something you have to get used to.
I’ve never made a film that I didn’t believe in, you know? However the picture turns out, I’ve always given everything to it. That’s kind of how I approach life. I can’t help it. There’s no part-way with me on anything in any area of my life.
I had to train myself to focus my attention. I became very visual and learned how to create mental images in order to comprehend what I read.
Making a movie is like a chess game. It’s about constantly changing patterns, adapting to new things. It’s not just black and white, as you know.
I love adventure movies; I just love action adventure films. It’s pure cinema and you go in and you’re lost to it. To me, it’s that challenge – I want to give an audience that ride, that entertainment.
As an actor, like an artist, you have to ask – “Why do I choose a certain moment to play something a certain way?” It’s organic to who we are.
Stanley Kubrick was very selective when he went into a close-up. Every director has his taste in a performance, but Stanley would explore a scene to find what was most interesting for him.
Every time I make a “Mission” movie or other films, people kind of look at me and go, “Well, now what? What’s next?” I think there’s always going to be another mountain. I think there’s something always in store.
The stunts, each time, we keep pushing ourselves harder and harder. And they are stunts, so there’s always a danger in doing them, but fortunately, I have not had a problem.
Tom Cruise Quotes on Scientology and Religion
It’s well known I’m a Scientologist, and that has helped me to find that inner peace in my life and it’s something that has given me great stability and tools that I use.
If I don’t talk about my religion, if I say I’m not discussing it or different humanitarian things I’m working on, they’re like, ‘He’s avoiding it.’ If I do talk about it, it becomes, ‘Oh, he’s proselytizing.’
I believe in life. I know that life comes in at your heart and it doesn’t matter if you’re an actor, a filmmaker or a gentleman on the street, it comes at you. What Scientology gives me is the tools to deal with that, to better enjoy my life and to be able to contribute more.
I just want to help people. I’m a helper. For instance, I myself have helped hundreds of people get off drugs. In Scientology, we have the only successful drug rehabilitation program in the world. It’s called Narconon.
But I think also, you look at Scientology, it is the fastest growing religion. It’s helped so many people.
Tom Cruise Quotes from Movies
Hate to tell you this, buddy, but you have to wear clothes to work. There’s a law or something.
Steve Randle, The Outsiders (1983)
My name is Joel Goodson. I deal in human fulfilment. I grossed over eight thousand dollars in one night. Time of your life, huh kid?
Joel, Risky Business (1983)
College women can smell ignorance… like dog shit.
Joel, Risky Business (1983)
It was great the way her mind worked. No guilt, no doubts, no fear. None of my specialities. Just the shameless pursuit of immediate gratification. What a capitalist.
Joel, Risky Business (1983)
I feel the need… the need for speed!
Maverick, Top Gun (1986)
You think I’m reckless? When I fly, I’ll have you know that my crew and my plane come first.
Maverick, Top Gun (1986)
Talk to me, Goose.
Maverick, Top Gun (1986)
I can see it’s dangerous for you, but if the government trusts me, maybe you could.
Maverick, Top Gun (1986)
You’re okay, Cougar. Just stay on my wing, I’ll take you all the way in. Just stay with me. Easy, Cougar. Just a walk in the park, buddy.
Maverick, Top Gun (1986)
But the thing is, even if it is just for bangers, everybody’s doing it. If everybody’s doing it, there’s a lot of guys doing it. A lot of guys doing it – but only one guy can be the best.
Vincent Lauria, The Color of Money (1986)
Coughlin’s law: never show surprise, never lose your cool.
Brian Flanagan, Cocktail (1988)
Days get shorter and shorter, nights longer and longer, before you know it, your life is just one long night with a few comatose daylight hours.
Brian Flanagan, Cocktail (1988)
I’m gonna let ya’ in on a little secret, Ray. K-Mart sucks.
Charlie Babbitt, Rain Man (1988)
Is that what we get? Spit in the face! I’ve got as much right to be here as these delegates. I fought for that right. You’re not gonna stop me! You’re not gonna shut me up! I’m gonna remind you of this war for the rest of my life so what happened there never happens again! We’re never, never gonna let the people of the United States forget that war, because the moment we do, there’s gonna be another war, and another, and another. That’s why we’re gonna be here for the rest of our lives telling you that the war happened – it wasn’t just some nightmare – it happened, and you’re not gonna sweep it under the rug because you didn’t like the ratings, like some television show. This wheelchair, our wheelchairs, this steel, our steel is your Memorial Day parade on wheels, we are your Yankee Doddle Dandy coming home…
Ron Kovic, Born on Fourth of July (1989)
Sometimes, Stevie, I think people, they know you’re back from Vietnam, and their face – changes: the eyes, the voice, the way they look at you, you know.
Ron Kovic, Born on Fourth of July (1989)
Claire, I’m more afraid of bein’ nothing than I am of being hurt.
Cole Trickle, Days of Thunder (1990)
Commander, from what I understand, if this thing goes to court, they won’t need a lawyer, they’ll need a priest.
Lt. Daniel Kaffee, A Few Good Men (1992)
Did you order the code red?!?
Lt. Daniel Kaffee, A Few Good Men (1992)
Don’t call me son. I’m a lawyer and an officer in the United States Navy, and you’re under arrest you son of a bitch.
Lt. Daniel Kaffee, A Few Good Men (1992)
Don’t be afraid. I’m going to give you the choice I never had.
Lestat, Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Oh Louis, Louis. Still whining, Louis. Have you heard enough? I’ve had to listen to that for centuries.
Lestat, Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Have you said your goodbyes to the light?
Lestat, Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Evil is a point of view. God kills indiscriminately and so shall we. For no creatures under God are as we are, none so like him as ourselves.
Lestat, Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Relax Luther, it’s much worse than you think.
Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible (1996)
Kittridge, you’ve never seen me very upset.
Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible (1996)
Show me the money!
Jerry Maguire, Jerry Maguire (1996)
You complete me.
Jerry Maguire, Jerry Maguire (1996)
I am out here for you. You don’t know what it’s like to be ME out here for YOU. It is an up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege that I will never fully tell you about, ok?
Jerry Maguire, Jerry Maguire (1996)
Help me… help you. Help me, help you.
Jerry Maguire, Jerry Maguire (1996)
In this life, it’s not what you hope for, it’s not what you deserve – it’s what you take!
Frank T.J. Mackey, Magnolia (1999)
Look at us. I’m frozen and you’re dead, and I love you.
David Aames, Vanilla Sky (2001)
Even in my dreams I feel like an idiot who’s about to wake up.
David Aames, Vanilla Sky (2001)
Doc, once you’ve been driven off a bridge at 80 miles an hour, somehow you don’t invite happiness in without a full body search.
David Aames, Vanilla Sky (2001)
I think a man does what he can until his destiny is revealed.
Nathan Algren, The Last Samurai (2003)
I have been hired to suppress the rebellion of yet another tribal leader. Apparently, this is the only job for which I am suited. I am beset by the ironies of my life.
Nathan Algren, The Last Samurai (2003)
There is some comfort in the emptiness of the sea, no past, no future.
Nathan Algren, The Last Samurai (2003)
Max, six billion people on the planet, you’re getting bent out of shape cause of one fat guy.
Vincent, Collateral (2004)
There’s no good reason, there’s no bad reason to live or to die.
Vincent, Collateral (2004)
I have a charge in my head, I’m gonna die unless you kill me.
Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible III (2006)
You can serve Germany, or the Führer. Not both!
Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, Valkyrie (2008)
So whatever you’re thinking, you’d better think again!
Les Grossman, Tropic Thunder (2008)
If we have souls, they are made of the love we share… undimmed by time, unbound by death.
Jack Harper, Oblivion (2013)
I know you, but we’ve never met. I’m with you and I don’t know your name. I know I’m dreaming, but it feels like more than that. It feels like a memory. How can that be?
Jack Harper, Oblivion (2013)
I’m going to tell you a story. It’s going to sound ridiculous. The longer I talk, the more rational it’s going to appear.
Cage, Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Benji, we’re trying to keep a low profile. You want drama, go to the opera.
Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
I’m the gringo who always delivers.
Barry Seal, American Made (2017)
I don’t know how. I’m not a teacher, Ice. I’m a fighter pilot. Naval aviator. It’s not what I am, it’s who I am. How do I teach that? Even if I could teach it, it’s not what Rooster wants. It’s not what the Navy wants. It’s why they canned me the last time. The only reason I’m here is you. If I send him on this mission, he might never come home. And if I don’t send him, he’ll never forgive me. Either way, I can lose him forever.
Capt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Don’t think, just do.
Capt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Interesting Facts about Tom Cruise
After you’ve enjoyed some of the most memorable Tom Cruise quotes, here are some interesting facts about Tom Cruise that may even surprise you.
- Cruise is Actually His Middle Name – Tom Cruise was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV and was named after his father, yet he decided to change his name to Tom Cruise. And so, Cruise is actually his middle name.
- He Wanted to be a Priest – After Cruise’s mother and stepfather married, he attended the St. Francis Seminary School on a scholarship. His aspirations were to become a priest, but eventually he left after only one year. With that said, there’s a claim of one of his classmates that said Cruise was actually kicked out because he was caught with alcohol.
- Saving the Ray-Ban Brand – During the early 1980s, the Ray-Ban sunglasses company was not so successful and basically in trouble. However, Tom Cruise was the one who saved the company. After he wore the glasses in his famous role in the movie Risky Business, sales simply shot up. It didn’t stop there, as Cruise later wore the brand in Top Gun movie as well, which further improved sales for the brand.
- Suffering from Dyslexia – In 2003, Tom Cruise opened up and talked about having dyslexia. He said that all through school and well into his career, he felt as if he was holding onto a secret. When he went to a new school, he didn’t want the other kids to know about his dyslexia and learning disability, but then he would be sent off to remedial reading.
- He Never Won an Oscar – There are so many great roles that Cruise had played during his film career, yet he has never won an Academy Award. He did win the Golden Globe three times and was nominated four times for the Oscar, yet never won it. He was nominated for Best Actor for his roles in the movies Born On The First Of July and Jerry Maguire, and Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie Magnolia. Cruise’s film, Top Gun: Maverick was also nominated for Best Picture in the Academy Awards.
For more quotes from world famous actors, please visit Leonardo DiCaprio quotes, Denzel Washington quotes, Chuck Norris quotes, and Bruce Lee quotes.