July 3, 1962: Tom Cruise is born and later stars in 'Born on the Fourth of July'

July 3, 1962, saw the birth of Tom Cruise, who would later become a renowned Hollywood actor.

In the 1980s, Thomas Cruise Mapother IV's acting career took off after he was born in Syracuse, New York.

Britannica.com notes that he is renowned for his good looks and adaptability.

Biography.com states that his mother was an amateur actress and schoolteacher, while his father was an electrical engineer.

When Cruise was 11, his parents divorced, and his mother relocated the family to Louisville, Kentucky, and later to Glen Ridge, New Jersey, after remarrying. Both his parents are deceased.

Biography.com notes that Cruise, like his mother and three sisters, struggled with dyslexia.

Although this task was academically challenging for Cruise, he excelled in athletics.

A knee injury during high school halted his plans to become a professional wrestler, according to the source.

Cruise solidified his movie-star status with "Top Gun" (1986), the highest-grossing film of that year, in which he played Navy jet pilot Maverick.

At 14, Cruise joined a Franciscan seminary with the intention of becoming a priest, but he left after one year, according to the same source.

At age 16, a teacher and his mother encouraged him to participate in the school's production of "Guys and Dolls." After landing the lead role of Nathan Detroit, he began his journey towards an acting career.

In 1981, Tom Cruise made his film debut in "Endless Love" and later starred in "Risky Business," where he transformed his parents' home into a brothel.

"Top Gun" (1986), the highest-grossing film of that year, helped solidify Tom Cruise's status as a movie star, as he played Navy jet pilot Maverick, according to Britannica.

In 1986, Tom Cruise starred alongside Paul Newman in "The Color of Money," a film directed by Martin Scorsese.

In 1988, Tom Cruise played the role of an autistic man's brother in "Rain Man," which won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (for Dustin Hoffman), and Best Original Screenplay.

In 1989, Tom Cruise was nominated for his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam War veteran-turned-activist, in the film "Born on the Fourth of July."

Cruise received the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his performance as Ron Kovic in "Born on the Fourth of July."

Kovic, who became a spokesperson for veterans, especially those against war, was wheeled out onto the stage of the 1976 Democratic Convention to applause.

For this performance, Tom Cruise won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, surpassing renowned actors such as Jack Lemmon, Daniel Day Lewis, Robin Williams, and Al Pacino in the competition.

In the 1990s, Tom Cruise portrayed a Navy lawyer in "A Few Good Men," a vampire in "Interview with the Vampire," and a secret agent in "Mission: Impossible," according to Britannica.com.

The "Mission Impossible" movie's success and popularity led to the production of sequels in 2000, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023, including "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One," which was released in July 2023.

In "Jerry Maguire" (1996), Cruise's outstanding portrayal of a sports agent garnered him a second Oscar nomination.

In 1999, Tom Cruise received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his role in "Magnolia."

In 2016, Cruise reprised the role of Jack Reacher in the film "Never Go Back."

In the 2000s, Tom Cruise appeared in several action films, including "Minority Report," "The Last Samurai," "Collateral," "War of the Worlds," "Knight and Day," and "Jack Reacher."

He was seen in "Oblivion" (2013) and "Edge of Tomorrow" (2014).

In 2016, Tom Cruise reprised his role as Jack Reacher in "Never Go Back" and starred in a new version of "The Mummy" (2017).

He reprised his role in "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022), which he had previously starred in the 1986 blockbuster.

For three decades, Cruise has been a devoted follower of the Church of Scientology and continues to serve as its most prominent celebrity representative, according to various reports.

His personal life has captured headlines for nearly four decades.

Cruise has been married and divorced three times.

In 1987, he married actress Mimi Rogers, and in 1990, he married Nicole Kidman, whom he met on the set of "Days of Thunder."

In 2005, he married actress Katie Holmes. After six years of marriage, they divorced.

He is the father of three children.

He divides his children, Isabella and Connor, with Nicole Kidman and Suri with Katie Holmes.

Years ago, Tom Cruise returned his three Golden Globes to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's headquarters due to the association's criticism for diversity and ethical issues.