In his new memoir, retired British actor Michael Caine shared his admiration for Tom Cruise, calling him “one of the last true stars.” Caine, who rose to prominence in the 1960s and built an illustrious career, remembers meeting a young Cruise around the time Risky Business was released in 1983. Caine fondly recalls Cruise’s polite demeanor and curiosity about how to build a long-lasting career, noting that Cruise’s enthusiasm and ambition were clear even then. Decades later, Cruise is widely regarded as one of the most successful and bankable actors in Hollywood, with his films collectively grossing over $12 billion.
Reflecting on their initial encounter, Caine said, “He had a great attitude, this sense of poise. What interests me is that he is really one of the last true stars in movies. People will go to see a film just because he’s in it.” He went on to say that his wife, Shakira, surprised him on his 90th birthday by inviting Cruise to join them for dinner, a gesture that deeply touched him.
Caine highlighted that, unlike past eras with iconic actors like John Wayne or Cary Grant, today’s film industry has few stars who can guarantee box office success by their name alone. Cruise, with his hands-on approach as both actor and producer, has maintained his unique star power. His dedication to the action genre, marked by physically demanding stunts, has set him apart, particularly through successful franchises like Mission: Impossible and Top Gun. In fact, his recent hit Top Gun: Maverick led Steven Spielberg to credit him with helping “save Hollywood” in the post-pandemic era.
While Cruise has navigated occasional off-screen controversies, Caine believes that his future in film is bright, and a shift toward more dramatic or villainous roles could sustain his career. Caine’s praise underscores the rarity of Cruise’s kind of star power and the respect he’s earned among Hollywood legends.
