Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance at the Paris Olympics today with a stunt that seemed straight out of Mission Impossible.
Having been a constant presence since the Opening Ceremony on July 26, the Top Gun actor played a key role in Paris’ official handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics. While Daniel Craig, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the London 2012 Games had their iconic moments, Cruise’s much-anticipated stunt brought a full dose of Hollywood flair.
Earlier in the day, Cruise was spotted on the rim of the Stade de France as the two-and-a-half-hour closing ceremony was in full swing, with performances by Phoenix and enthusiastic athletes taking to the stage. His grand descent occurred shortly after H.E.R.’s soulful rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ which followed the Olympic flag being handed over to LA Mayor Karen Bass and gymnast Simone Biles.
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“America, let’s go!” NBC’s Mike Tirico shouted as the leather-clad Cruise landed among the Olympic athletes. Jimmy Fallon chimed in with, “That’s how you do it!” After taking the flag from Mayor Bass and the legendary Biles, Cruise hopped onto a nearby motorbike and cruised out of the stadium. The action then transitioned to a pre-recorded video of Cruise leaping out of a plane, set to a Red Hot Chili Peppers soundtrack, as he delivered the flag to Los Angeles.
As Deadline reported on August 1, Cruise’s stunt was one of the worst-kept secrets of the Games. In fact, it would have been more surprising if he hadn’t appeared.
But there was no disappointment—Cruise absolutely made his mark.
